Skip to main content

Winter quarter COVID testing for graduate and professional students

Senior Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students Mona Hicks and Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Vaden Health Services James R. Jacobs provided detailed information in a message that was emailed to students who will live on campus during winter quarter.

Dear graduate and professional students,

We are writing today with a step-by-step guide for our winter quarter COVID-19 testing program. Please read this entire email, and take note of the action items in your personal calendar. All testing is provided at no cost to students. (Please also note that the testing guidance and schedule for winter break have not changed.)

Student-athletes, students at Hopkins Marine Station, and some students in the School of Medicine will use different protocols and should follow the instructions of their respective administrative or clinical advisors. More information on who should be tested is posted on the student testing website.

Here is a short summary of the tests we will use.

  1. We encourage all students coming to Stanford for the winter quarter to get tested for SARS-CoV-2 prior to departure to help make a wise decision about whether or not to travel. We are offering optional pre-arrival testing at no cost through Binx Health to students who are age 18 or over and who have a physical mailing address within the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska) but who do not otherwise have access to testing. Unfortunately, we cannot offer this service to students with P.O. Box addresses or to students who are outside the United States. This test involves a self-collected anterior nasal swab. You will receive the results within 24-48 hours of the lab receiving a properly collected sample.
  2. Twice weekly testing with Verily Health Services. This is required for all students living on campus or coming to campus frequently. The testing site is McCaw Hall in the Arrillaga Alumni Center. The test involves a mid-turbinate nasal swab that is performed by the student, while being observed by a healthcare professional. You will receive the results within 24 hours.

You will also be required to complete Stanford Health Check daily. Health Check tracks the prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms among students on campus. Personal information remains confidential. If you are experiencing symptoms, immediately contact Vaden Health Services at (650) 498-2336 or your healthcare provider.

Here are step-by-step instructions for students who are new or returning to campus for winter quarter. Add these dates to your calendar and download and print this PDF as a reminder. Winter quarter testing requirements take effect Jan. 2. Students who lived on campus during winter break and never left should continue with Verily testing.

  1. Today, order a pre-arrival test. Go to this Binx website, (https://app.mybinxhealth.com/covid) click “check availability,” complete the questionnaire, and then complete the checkout process with this coupon code: (each student received a custom code in this spot). When prompted for your shipping address, enter the location in the United States where you are receiving packages during winter break.
  2. Eight days before you arrive on campus, take the Binx pre-arrival test and return your sample via the provided pre-paid UPS envelope.
  3. Seven days before you arrive on campus from the United States or abroad, register for your first twice weekly test. Go to the Verily website (https://healthy.verily.com/), create an account, and when prompted for your home address, enter “Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., 94305.” This is because you will take the Verily tests when you are on campus. Make an appointment for one hour after your residence check-in time. If you are checking in after 1 p.m., make an appointment for the next day.
  4. The morning of the day you arrive on campus, complete the Stanford Health Check (https://healthcheck.stanford.edu/login). We recommend you set an alarm on your phone so that you remember to do this every day while you are living on or coming to campus.
  5. AND, if you arrive before 1 p.m., leave your luggage at your residence and then go to McCaw Hall to take your first test with Verily at your appointment time. Bring your student or government issued ID.OR, if you arrive after 1 p.m., spend the night in your residence and then go to McCaw Hall the next day and take your first test with Verily at your appointment time. Bring your student or government issued ID.
  6. ​​24 hours after your first test with Verily, make an appointment for your next test. Important! Make one appointment at a time. If you make a second one, your first appointment will be canceled. And if you can’t go to your appointment, cancel it with Verily. This way, we can offer the spot to other students.

Testing positive

If you test positive before arriving on campus through Binx or any other healthcare provider, file a help ticket with Housing Assignments to arrange a new arrival date and send a copy of your positive COVID test (attached to a secure message) to Dr. Robyn Tepper through the Vadenpatient portal.

If you test positive after arriving on campus, Vaden Medical Services will call you. You will be provided on-campus isolation housing, meal delivery and medical care. The isolation housing will be closely monitored and overseen by medical and professional Student Affairs staff members.

Questions?

Thank you for reading this email carefully. We know this is a lot to take in. We have posted more information. If you have questions about COVID-19 testing during the university’s winter closure, here’s how to contact us via Service Now. When you arrive, we and our colleagues will be here to greet you and help you.

Sincerely,

Mona Hicks
Senior Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students

Dr. Jim Jacobs
Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director, Vaden Health Services