BSU Offers At-Home Test Kits for Commuter Student & Faculty Return

January 20, 2022

Welcome Bulldogs to the Spring 2022 semester. As you approach your first day of class, it is important that you prepare to do your part to keep our campus safe from COVID-19. Everyone returning to campus must have a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your return. To reduce the stress of securing a test in this time period, Bowie State has secured at-home test kits for commuter students and faculty. Kits will be available for pickup at no cost with a current student or employee ID beginning Friday, Jan. 21 in advance of the first day of class. No one should come to campus for class or work before receiving a negative COVID-19 test result.

The at-home test kits will be available Friday, Jan 21 through Tuesday, Jan 25 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  at the following four locations on campus:

  • Student Center ticket window
  • Campus Safety Office in McKeldin Gym
  • Thurgood Marshall Library circulation desk
  • Campus Safety Robinson Hall Office

To get your test kit:

  1. Text to 301-215-2044 “I would like a test kit” to receive a registration link to request a kit
  2. Then click on the registration link and enter your full name and phone number
  3. You will receive a confirmation text stating that you may now go pickup your test kit 
  4. Once you arrive at the pickup location, show your ID and send a second “I’m here” text message to confirm your receipt of the kit.

A positive result from the at-home test must be reported to the Maryland Health Department At-Home Test Report Portal and the BSU Wellness Portal. If you have a negative test result, you may come to campus to begin class and schedule an appointment for your regular PCR test through the Wellness Portal by Friday Jan. 28.

 Individuals may also choose to get tested at a local community site within 72 hours of your first day on campus and upload your results to the Wellness Portal.

Booster Shots for Everyone Provide Greater Protection

While BSU now requires vaccine booster shots for residential students and athletes, new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control stipulates that everyone who is eligible needs boosters to be up-to-date with full vaccination for the best protection against the virus. Individuals are eligible for boosters if they are more than two months after getting the single shot Johnson and Johnson; five months from the last Pfizer shot; and six months from the last Moderna shot. 

The Wellness Center will resume vaccination appointments next week on Monday and Wednesday offering the Moderna booster. In partnership with the Maryland Health Equity Task Force, BSU will host a full Vaccine/Booster Clinic on Feb. 3 and Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  offering each of the approved vaccines to all eligible students, faculty and staff.

Mask Up and Sanitize to Stay Safe

Face masks continue to be a key element in defense against COVID-19. Masks are required at all indoor locations on campus. BSU encourages use of the higher quality KN-95 masks that are now available at the campus distribution centers for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Classrooms and common spaces across the campus received deep cleaning during the winter break and the full array of sanitizing protocols employed during the past year have resumed. Together with each individual exercising personal responsibility, we can continue to maintain a safe learning and work environment for us all.

Please  pay attention to your BSU email, the COVID-19 Updates website and social media channels for the latest information. If you have questions you may also email covid19@bowiestate.edu. Questions about academic issues should be sent to covid19academics@bowiestate.edu.