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Hello families, 

The following announcements and updates have been shared with USF students over the past few days. Here are some important need-to-knows to pass along to your student. Please encourage your student to check their USF email frequently for updates, as more details and updates continue to be shared as we get closer to the start of the fall semester.

Return to Campus COVID-19 Survey

1. All students are required to complete the Return to Campus COVID-19 Assessment by August 7.
2. If your student or family have questions about this survey, please visit the frequently asked questions.

Students living on-campus for Fall 2020

1. Residential Students are required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test completed between July 31, 2020 - August 13, 2020. Students planning to live on-campus were sent this message from Student Health Services on July 22 regarding required COVID-19 PCR testing. 
2. Residential students should complete the Return to Campus COVID-19 Assessment by August 7. It is important to note that after completing the survey, residential students will see an alert indicating they are not cleared. Not to worry - students are able to upload their test results when they receive them. Residential students received a message on July 30 sharing this and additional information covered on the FAQ page.
3. Residential students can upload their COVID-19 PCR test results until August 13. The August 13 date is a guideline. You must have testing performed between July 31 and August 13, with results submitted at least two business days before your student's scheduled move-in date.

Return to Campus COVID-19 Survey (7/29)

Dear USF community, 

As part of the University of South Florida's ongoing commitment to the well-being of students, faculty and staff in light of COVID-19, USF is implementing new processes to support a healthy environment on our campuses. An important part of these efforts is to understand the health status of the members of our university community before the fall semester begins on August 24. In order to provide us with a baseline of information from all faculty, staff and students, we are requiring everyone to complete the Return to Campus COVID-19 Assessment by August 7.

This assessment can be accessed by visiting MyUSF.

The first section asks if you are planning to return to campus; if you are not planning to return to campus the assessment stops at that point. If there is a chance you will return, even if it's only on a limited or periodic basis, you should say yes and continue through the assessment. You must complete the assessment, submit it and receive a confirmation in order to be allowed to return to campus. We encourage you to complete this assessment as soon as possible. If you don't fill it out by August 7, you will start to receive a series of reminders that this must be completed.

If you indicated a return to campus in the assessment, at the start of the fall semester you will be required to participate in the USF Daily Symptom Check. This brief daily survey must be completed every day before you come to campus. The tool is designed to help you monitor your own health, maintain a healthy environment for all members of the USF community and will alert a university health care provider to contact you to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19 or need any other health or social support. If you complete the daily survey and are approved to return to campus, you will receive a green check that will serve as a pass to return and will allow you to enter USF facilities. More information on how to access the USF Daily Symptom Check will be provided soon.

Individuals returning to campus will also be placed in a pool for random COVID-19 testing, which the university will implement as an important part of our disease mitigation strategy.

To recap, in order to remain in compliance with the university's procedures, you must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the Return to Campus COVID-19 Assessment no later than August 7.
2. Beginning August 24, complete the USF Daily Symptom Check every day you intend to be on campus. If you don't earn a green check, please stay home. Student Health Services will be automatically notified and a representative will be in contact with you.
3. Respond to any correspondence you receive from USF to participate in random COVID-19 testing.
4. Follow the university's guidelines for wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, hand washing, disinfecting spaces and other posted mitigation measures.

All of these health and safety steps are mandatory for everyone returning to campus and there are consequences for failing to comply. A list of frequently asked questions can be found here.

Sincerely, 

Donna J. Petersen
USF COVID-19 Task Force Char
Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health
Dean, College of Public Health
Professor of Public Health
University of South Florida

Joseph A. Puccio
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Adolescent Medicine
USF Morsani College of Medicine
Executive and Medical Director
USF Student Health Services

If you have additional questions not covered in this update or the frequently asked questions, contact covidquestions@usf.edu.