As students return to in-person classes, it becomes increasingly important to keep faculty, staff and students safe from potential COVID-19 outbreaks.
Pierce could offer students COVID-19 tests via vending machines on campus.
Pierce could have the testing kits located throughout the campus, allowing students easy access to such a vital resource. Pierce could allocate designated schedules and locations for testing drop-offs.
The University of California, Los Angeles and San Diego State University offer COVID-19 testing kit kiosks throughout their campuses.
UCLA has about 12 testing kit vending machines located on campus and interactive maps on their website to inform students where to find the kiosks. UCLA students use their BruinCard, which has an allocated $2 credit every week for the testing kits, so the service is of no cost to students. UCLA allows students to obtain up to two saliva tests every week.
Once students collect their saliva samples, they have an hour to deposit their test in a marked bin near the kiosk. Students can drop off their COVID-19 test between Monday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students receive their test results via email within the following 24 to 48 hours.
UCLA has a website page dedicated to helping students understand the step-by-step testing process so they can receive the most efficient and accurate results. They educate students on how to use their BruinCard on the kiosk and the step-by-step instruction manual so students can best collect their saliva without any complications.
Offering similar testing vending machines to staff and students can aid the Pierce community and could prevent any potential outbreaks.
Vending machines could be located near the bookstore, the Library, the Student Health Center and Student Services, and drop boxes could be placed next to them. To access the tests for free, QR codes could be included with the Cleared4 Daily Pass.
This resource offers a quick and convenient method of being tested, which could motivate regular testing for those vaccinated and unvaccinated. Frequent testing could offer a sense of security for students and faculty during the ongoing pandemic.
