Category: COVID-19 Updates

All students have access to free COVID-19 testing through Student Health Services. You no longer need an appointment to be tested. The Student Wellness Center inside the Steve Clark YMCA is open for walk-in testing 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. See what else you need to know for walk-in testing. You can also see other testing options by visiting the Sedgwick County testing website.

All faculty and staff have access to free COVID-19 testing through Student Health Services. You no longer need an appointment to be tested. The Student Wellness Center inside the Steve Clark YMCA is open for walk-in testing 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. See what else you need to know for walk-in testing. You can also see other testing options by visiting the Sedgwick County testing website.

SUPERVISORS: If you are interested in getting trained to provide your department with COVID saliva specimen collection with 24-hour test results from the Wichita State Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, please fill out this form, and you will be contacted with next steps. Testing is strictly voluntary and cannot be required by supervisors.

Welcome back to Wichita State, Shockers! We’re excited for this semester and are confident that together, we can make it a fulfilling and exciting time for our students and colleagues.

As has been the case since the beginning of this pandemic, our top priority and focus is the health, safety and well-being of our campus community while delivering a high-quality learning environment. Wichita State has been and will continue to closely monitor COVID, its spread and its impact on our campus community.

Below are some reminders regarding COVID-19 safety practices and university operations. See more details on the information below.

• The semester has begun as scheduled as listed in the spring schedule of classes. Faculty are expected to deliver courses in the format assigned to the course in the course catalog. However, we also realize these are extraordinary circumstances and anticipate that there will be situations throughout the semester that will require adaptation and temporary changes. Those situations should be addressed as they arise.
• Masks continue to be required for the entire campus, which includes students, faculty, staff and visitors.
• Vaccinations continue to be the best weapon against COVID-19 as we work together to move past this pandemic. I encourage everyone to get a vaccine, including a booster, if you are able. Vaccines are available through the Sedgwick County Health Department and several pharmacies and clinics. To learn more about vaccine locations, visit the CDC vaccine finder.
• All students, faculty and staff have access to free COVID-19 testing through Student Health Services. You no longer need an appointment and instead can receive a walk-in test from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Student Health Services. Get more information on walk-in testing. You can also see other testing options by visiting the Sedgwick County testing website.
• WSU is following updated CDC guidance for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine measures for employees and students.

Thank you for your flexibility and grace as we work together during this pandemic.

Welcome back for the spring semester. As has been the case since the beginning of this pandemic, our top priority and focus is the health, safety and well-being of our campus community while delivering a high-quality learning environment. Wichita State has been and will continue to closely monitor COVID, its spread and its impact on our campus community.

Below are some reminders regarding COVID-19 safety practices and university operations. See the employee COVID guide for more details.

• The semester has begun as scheduled as listed in the spring schedule of classes. Faculty are expected to deliver courses in the format assigned to the course in the course catalog. However, we also realize these are extraordinary circumstances and anticipate that there will be situations throughout the semester that will require adaptation and temporary changes. Those situations should be addressed as they arise.
• Masks continue to be required for the entire campus, which includes students, faculty, staff and visitors.
• Vaccinations continue to be the best weapon against COVID-19 as we work together to move past this pandemic. I encourage everyone to get a vaccine, including a booster, if you are able. Vaccines are available through the Sedgwick County Health Department and several pharmacies and clinics. To learn more about vaccine locations, visit the CDC vaccine finder.
• All students, faculty and staff have access to free COVID-19 testing through Student Health Services. You no longer need an appointment and instead can receive a walk-in test from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Student Health Services. Get more information on walk-in testing. You can also see other testing options by visiting the Sedgwick County testing website.
• WSU is following updated CDC guidance for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine measures for employees and students.
• To help support and remind the Shocker community about masking, vaccines and other safety practices, a digital toolkit is available for print and download for any office or building use.

Thank you for your flexibility and grace as we work together during this pandemic.

As we begin a new semester, Wichita State’s COVID frequently asked questions (FAQs) for instructors have been updated for the spring 2022 semester. The page includes information about hybrid classes, current classroom capacities and safe behaviors that comply with campus policies.

Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) is open and continues to process thousands of COVID tests with 24-hour results. Along with everyone in our region, MDL staff and their families are affected by COVID. Because of recent staff shortages, the lab must focus its staff on test processing and has temporarily suspended its COVID test collection service.  

Tonya Witherspoon, executive director of the MDL, says she is unsure when test collection will reopen but hopes it will be soon. The MDL website will be updated with that information when available.

Due to the extreme cold today, Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (4174 S. Oliver, Building 174H) is temporarily halting COVID-19 specimen collection for the public.

The MDL drive-thru specimen collection will be closed for drive-thru specimen collection today, Jan. 6, reopening specimen collection from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7. MDL will remain open for Community Collection Partner specimen drop-offs both days, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. All tests results will come back in 24 hours.

The decision was made in order to protect the safety of individuals with the specimen collection team, who spend hours each day outside collecting tests from community members.

As we return back to campus following the winter break, it’s important to remember COVID-19 safety practices to protect you and your classmates.

• Masks continue to be required for the entire campus, which includes students, faculty, staff and visitors.
• Vaccines and boosters are highly recommended as the best tool to fight COVID-19. You can get vaccinated through the weekly Wednesday mobile clinic at Charles Koch Arena or at any other vaccination site. See the Sedgwick County vaccine page for additional locations. Student Health Services has temporarily halted vaccines for the WSU community to prioritize medical care for the ill and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

If you’re interested in getting tested for COVID, there are multiple options.

Students, faculty and staff can schedule a free COVID-19 testing appointment in Student Health Services through the myShockerHealth portal. Login with your Shocker ID and select “Appointments” from the menu.

Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab, as well as multiple other locations throughout Sedgwick County, also offer free testing to the entire community.

Please note that wait times to be tested have increased because of growing demand. 

The Hughes Metropolitan Complex Testing Site (5015 E. 29th St. North) no longer offers COVID-19 testing.

Thank you for your continued flexibility as we work together during this pandemic.

Please remember the following COVID-19 safety practices to protect you and your colleagues.

• Masks continue to be required for the entire campus, which includes students, faculty, staff and visitors.
• Vaccines and boosters are highly recommended as the best tool to fight COVID-19. You can get vaccinated through the weekly Wednesday mobile clinic at Charles Koch Arena or at any other vaccination site. See the Sedgwick County vaccine page for additional locations. Student Health Services has temporarily halted vaccines for the WSU community to prioritize medical care for the ill and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

To help support and remind the Shocker community about masking, vaccines and other safety practices, a digital toolkit is available for print and download for any office or building use.

If you’re interested in getting tested for COVID, there are multiple options.

Students, faculty and staff can schedule a free COVID-19 testing appointment in Student Health Services through the myShockerHealth portal. Login with your Shocker ID and select “Appointments” from the menu.

Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab is open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and offers free testing, along with multiple other locations throughout Sedgwick County, to the entire community.

Please note that wait times to be tested have increased because of growing demand. 

The Hughes Metropolitan Complex Testing Site (5015 E. 29th St. North) no longer offers COVID-19 testing.

Thank you for your continued flexibility as we work together during this pandemic.

During Thanksgiving Week Nov. 22-27, individuals wishing to get a COVID-19 test or vaccine will have the following options:

COVID-19 vaccinations
WSU Koch Arena – Walk-in Mobile Clinic with Sedgwick County Health Department

•  9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.24.

COVID-19 testing
WSU Student Health Services at YMCA and Student Wellness Center

• Monday, Nov. 22 by appointment for students, faculty and staff at the myShockerhealth portal
• Tuesday, Nov. 23 by appointment for students, faculty and staff at the myShockerhealth portal
• Wednesday, Nov. 24 – No COVID testing available – CLOSED after 12 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day) – CLOSED
• Friday, Nov. 26 – CLOSED

WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex drive-thru testing – 5015 E. 29th St. North

• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Monday, Nov. 22
• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Tuesday, Nov. 23
• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Wednesday, Nov. 24
• Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day) — CLOSED
• Friday, Nov. 26 — CLOSED
• 8-11 a.m. – Saturday, Nov. 27

WSU MDL Laboratory – 4174 S. Oliver, Building 174H

• 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. – Monday, Nov. 22
• 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. – Tuesday, Nov. 23
•  6 a.m.- 6 p.m. – Wednesday, Nov. 24
• Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day) – CLOSED
• 8-11 a.m. – Friday, Nov. 26

COVID-19 test results for all testing centers

• Monday, Nov. 22-24 hours
• Tuesday, Nov. 23-24 hours
• Wednesday, Nov. 24 –24 hours; may get result Nov. 25
• Thursday, Nov. 25 – CLOSED
•  Saturday, Nov. 27 – Results available by midnight