The following message was sent to all undergraduate students today. We are sharing with all parents and families so you are aware of this important information. 

——————

This message is sent on behalf of Penny Rue, Vice President for Campus Life.

Dear Wake Forest Undergraduate Students,

Today marks an important milestone as we work toward your successful arrival in Winston-Salem or at Wake Washington: the first day of the COVID-19 testing window. This testing window closes on Jan. 15 and results must be submitted to Wake Forest no later than Jan. 19.

I write today with some reminders about our four key strategies for a successful start to the spring semester and new information about the submission process for COVID-19 testing. 

COVID-19 Testing Requirements

If you have not already made arrangements for your pre-arrival testing, please see the details on the Our Way Forward website, including: 

  • Types of acceptable tests
  • Possible testing methods
  • Exemption explanations (Note that if you’ve received a vaccine, you still need to submit a negative test result.)

If possible, plan to be tested at the beginning of the testing window and submit your results as soon as possible. This will allow Wake Forest time to receive and process test results to facilitate your arrival. 

I offer a reminder that because of the national increase in cases, access to testing may be more difficult, and the length of time until test results are available is increasing and could take as long as 5-7 days. Those requesting at-home tests should factor in extra time for mail delivery of the test and submission of results.

Off-campus undergraduate students are expected to test in this Jan. 9-15 window as that will provide Wake Forest with a valid test closest to your interaction with the rest of the student body.

NEW: COVID-19 Test Result Submission

Test results will be submitted through the Student Health Portal. Details are now available, including a walk-through of the process, on the Student Health Service site. 

Your testing information will be secure throughout this process. You will be notified when you have met the testing requirements. This message will come through the Student Health Portal and will be available in the “secure messages” section of the portal. Please do not reach out directly to the Student Health Service to check on your information.

Additional requirements

As mentioned in the email on Dec. 17, you must also:

  • Self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms for 14 days prior to accessing campus or other Wake Forest facilities
  • Return to using the SneezSafe tool for daily symptom screening for 14 days prior to accessing campus or other Wake Forest facilities
  • Provide flu vaccination documentation in the Student Health Portal or receive an exemption

Details on these requirements are available on the Our Way Forward website. You may view which of these requirements are complete/incomplete on the homepage of the University’s Housing Portal at go.wfu.edu/housingportal

If you do not fulfill these requirements, your DeaconOne card will be deactivated, restricting access to campus, including gate access, residence halls, academic buildings, dining areas and more. You will be quarantined at the Hawthorne Inn in Winston-Salem until all requirements have been met.

Questions

Questions should be submitted through the Our Way Forward website or to the Call Center at 336-758-7500 weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Eastern. Please do not reach out directly to the Student Health Service.

Also, to minimize the spread of COVID-19 between communities, if you traveled home during the break, please avoid returning to Winston-Salem before the start of official on-site semester activities.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. By meeting the requirements above before arrival, you will enhance our chances of starting the semester well and completing the semester successfully.

Sincerely,

Penny Rue
Vice President for Campus Life

 

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support.