1. When does the FALL 2021 testing for all employees begin?
The fall testing protocol for all employees begins on Thursday, September 2, 2021. As of Monday, September 13, all faculty and staff working on campus will test once a week until further notice.
2. Where is the COVID-19 testing center this fall?
The testing center is in Farley Field House this fall. Please note: Face coverings are required.
3. What are the hours of the Farley Field House testing center?
The Farley Field House testing center will be open between 7:00 am – 2:00 p.m., however, the 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. timeslot is reserved for contractors. YOU DO NOT NEED a reservation in CampusGroups for testing. PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to cancel previous testing reservations you made in Campus Groups. Since no timeslots are required, avoiding high traffic periods (e.g., beginning and end of the business day, mid-day) will help prevent long wait times at the testing center.
4. How do I know what days I am supposed to test?
While we are in the once per week testing period please ignore your original testing cohort. You do not need to register for a time slot on Campus Groups for this increased testing. We are asking faculty and staff to test based on their last name based on the following schedule:
- Mondays: A-E
- Tuesdays: F-L
- Thursdays: M-R
- Fridays: S-Z
Those faculty and staff who have a vaccine exemption are still required to test both Mondays and Thursdays. If your work schedule does not have you on campus on your designated testing day or time, please select another day—there is no need to register as long as you test one time per week.
5. What kinds of COVID-19 testing does the College use and/or accept?
The College will accept either a PCR or antigen test result, though a confirmatory PCR test may be required for antigen tests in certain circumstances.
6. Will I need to continue using the CampusClear app in the Testing Center?
No, we will no longer be using the CampusClear app; however, all employees must continue to self-monitor for symptom(s) each day before arriving on campus. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, new cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue/muscle body aches, headache, a new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea) that are unexplained or different from your known health conditions.
7. Do I get paid for the time it takes to be tested? Hourly staff will be paid for the time it takes to test (PCR or antigen) on campus, including if their test falls on a day they are not regularly scheduled to work.
8. What if I need to change my testing day?
If your work schedule does not have you on campus on your designated testing day or time, please select another day. Again, there is no need to register as long as you test one time per week.
9. If I have questions regarding the Fall 2021 COVID-19 testing protocols or procedures, who do I contact?
Contact covidtsa@bowdoin.edu.
10. I am fully vaccinated and planning to go on vacation, so I will miss my regular testing day. How do I resume testing when I get back?
If you have been away for vacation (or other reasons), test on the next available testing day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). No reservations are necessary.
11. I am a new employee and my first day of work falls on a day after my designated testing day, what should I do?
- First, please be sure to load your vaccination information into Workday as soon as possible.
- Test on the first available testing day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) after you begin work and have your Bowdoin Onecard. Review the information on what to expect at the testing center and how to collect a nasal swab.
- You will receive information from CareEvolve about how to register with them so that you will be able to retrieve your testing results.
- Join your regular testing schedule the following week.
If you have specific questions, ask your manager or email covidtsa@bowdoin.edu for assistance with navigating your first test at the College.
12. What should I do if I am vaccinated and I have had a known exposure to someone who is suspected of or has a confirmed case of COVID-19?
- If you do not have any symptoms you may work on campus as normal, but you must wear a face covering at all times in public and on campus for fourteen (14) days.
- Advise your manager and Mary Cote in human resources(mcote@bowdoin.edu or 725-3033) that you may have been or were exposed to COVID-19.
- Mary Cote in human resources will provide you with three eMed antigen tests and the instructions for their use; test once on the day of notification (day one) and then test again on day three and day five from the day of notification. The eMed antigen tests are observed tests taken via the NAVICA app and the results are available to you and HR immediately following the test. Provided that test results are negative and you remain symptom-free, you may continue working through the testing phase. If you receive a positive test result, return to your residence immediately and notify your manager and Mary Cote (mcote@bowdoin.edu or 725-3033) for further guidance.
13. What should I do if I am unvaccinated and have a known exposure to someone who is suspected of or has a confirmed case of COVID-19?
Stay home or go home immediately upon learning this information. Advise your manager and Mary Cote in human resources (mcote@bowdoin.edu or 725-3033).
You must stay home in quarantine for ten days and seek external testing in the five to seven-day range after the exposure. Human resources will provide guidance and clear you to return to work on campus after your quarantine period.
14. What if I test positive?
For Broad PCR tests:
- The ordering physician from Mid Coast Hospital or HR will contact you as soon as possible. The ordering physician will provide follow-up care instructions and notify your primary care provider.
- HR will contact you to conduct campus contact tracing.
- Mary Cote will follow up with you at the end of the ten-day isolation period with instructions for returning to work.
For rapid antigen tests:
- Seek an external PCR confirmatory test
- Share your test results with Mary Cote (mcote@bowdoin.edu or 725-3033), who will then follow up with you at the end of the 10-day isolation period with instructions for returning to work.
15. What if I get a notice that my COVID-19 test is inconclusive?
An inconclusive test is one where the results cannot be determined as negative or positive. Mary Cote in human resources will contact you and provide guidance and next steps. You will be asked to stay/go home and complete an observed eMed BinaxNow antigen test reported through the NAVICA app before being cleared to return to work on campus.
16. I've received my test results, but they are "invalid," what does that mean?
"Invalid" means there was not enough sample on the swab to be tested. In most cases, this is due to not blowing your nose before testing or not swabbing adequately. Be sure to blow your nose prior to arrival at the test center and be sure that the swab stays in contact with the lining of your nostrils to limit the possibility of invalid test results.
17. What should I do if I receive an "invalid" test result?
You should receive an email from covidtsa@bowdoin.edu with an invitation to retest, even if it is not on your scheduled testing day. If you don't receive an email please contact covidtsa@bowdoin.edu as soon as possible to schedule a retest.
18. How do I record my time if I need to isolate or quarantine?
For day-to-day absences due to illness, employees must use their sick time. If no sick time is available, vacation time must be used. Awards of emergency sick time will be considered for employees whose sick and/or vacation balances are depleted. Please contact Mary Cote (mcote@bowdoin.edu or 725-3033) for additional information.
19. What time do I record in Workday if my spouse/partner or child is sick (non-COVID-19 illness) and I need to remain home?
The College’s family care absence policy provides up to forty (40) hours of job-protected leave per calendar year. The time can be drawn from your sick or vacation balances as “Family Care Absence–Sick” or “Family Care Absence–Vacation.” If both balances are depleted, it can be taken as unpaid time “Family Care Absence–Unpaid.” This allowance can also be used for illness or medical appointments where your presence is required for a spouse/partner, child, or parent.
20. I need verification of a negative COVID test before and/or after I travel. Can I use the College testing program to get these tests?
If your regularly scheduled test falls on a date that is appropriate for your travel, then you can use your Broad test results. If you are returning from international travel please follow current CDC recommendations and guidelines for testing three to five days after your return. The College requests that employees wear face coverings until negative results are received from your self-swab BinaxNOW test OR an external test taken three to five days after your return.
21. One of my colleagues has received their test results already, why haven't I?
The test results are released by Broad on a rolling basis, so some results may be received sooner than others. You should expect to receive your test results within twenty-four hours after the day you test.
22. My child’s school/classroom or daycare has announced a temporary closure due to COVID-19 or my child must stay home in quarantine, and I need to be home to provide care. How do I proceed?
The College will provide a one-time award of up to seven paid days off (up to 56 hours) for a sudden public school or daycare closure in connection with COVID-19 or when your child must stay home in quarantine due to a COVID exposure when other childcare plans cannot be made. This policy will be in effect from September 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. All benefits-eligible faculty and staff are eligible. Eligible employees must make the request to Mary Cote in human resources (mcote@bowdoin.edu or (207) 725-3033) and a notice from the school/daycare of the emergency closure or required quarantine must be provided in order to approve the request. If additional time is needed it must be taken as vacation time. Managers are also asked to work with employees on altered work schedules during times of public school/daycare closures.
23. May employees work overtime?
Overtime rules are now back to standard College Policy—employees need supervisor approval before working overtime.
24. I am fully vaccinated and returning to work full time in my office setting. My position requires me to work more directly with the public and even though they are vaccinated, this makes me very uncomfortable.
You will be expected to fulfill the essential functions of your position. Consult with your manager about additional personal protection equipment (e.g., wear a KN-95 mask rather than a surgical mask or cloth face covering, wear a clear face shield in addition to your covering). If your physician indicates you have a medical necessity for accommodation, please contact human resources (mcote@bowdoin.edu or 207-725-3033) for additional guidance.
25. How do I obtain the BinaxNOW self-test kits offered by the College to faculty and staff to supplement the one-time per month Broad PCR tests?
BinaxNOW test kits (2 individual tests per kit) are available at the mail center. You will need to swipe your Bowdoin OneCard to receive your one kit per week. Visit BinaxNOW test kits for more information.
26. Do I need to report the result of my BinaxNOW self-test kit?
If you are testing yourself on a regular surveillance basis, there is no need to report the result if it is negative. If the test result is positive, stay home, contact your primary care provider, and notify your supervisor and Mary Cote (mcote@bowdoin.edu or 725-3033).
27. What if I test positive with no symptoms?
If you test positive, even if asymptomatic, you must stay home in isolation for ten days. If you can work from home, you may do so. If you are not able to work from home, HR will work with you and your manager to determine pay (i.e. sick time).