Ithaca College, in partnership with Cayuga Health System, will be using a saliva self-collection process for the spring semester. Some key points to know about this process:
- You will collect your own sample using a saliva self-collection kit.
- Collect your sample on the day you plan to drop it off.
- Do not eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke for 30 minutes before providing the sample.
- Drop your sample to a locked collection bin Monday through Friday by 11:30 am. You can pick up another saliva self-collection kit for your next submission when you drop off your sample.
- There are designated pick up/drop off locked collection bins across campus for the saliva self-collection kits. Saliva samples are only collected Monday through Friday at approximately 11:30 am so please make sure your sample is in the bin by that time on the day that you are providing your sample. Do not drop your samples on weekends or other times:
- Athletics & Events - 7:00 am - 11:30 am, Monday through Friday. Samples must be dropped by 11:30 am.
- Campus Center - 8:00 am - 11:30 am, Monday through Friday. Samples must be dropped by 11:30 am.
- Terrace 13 - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Samples must be dropped by 11:30 am.
- Designated location for Farm Pond Road employees (ask your supervisor). Samples must be dropped by 11:30 am.
- Beginning on Monday, January 25th: Additional collection bins will be available in the Circles Community Center and Peggy Ryan Williams Lobby.
- Collect your saliva sample on a day that is convenient for you, consistent with your required testing frequency, and drop it in the collection bins. Please try to be consistent about the day(s) of the week that you are dropping your sample.
- Make sure to register your sample by labeling the vial and scanning a QR code with your smart phone. There is a web-based URL to register your sample if you do not have a smart phone or ability to scan a QR code.
- If you are symptomatic for COVID-19, do not access campus to drop off a saliva sample (students should remain in their residence and contact Hammond Health Center at 607-274-3177). Instead, register for an appointment to visit one of the off campus Cayuga Health System sampling sites.
- More information is available on the testing webpage
The nasopharyngeal swab will no longer be offered on campus. Cayuga Health System is also phasing out offering the nasopharyngeal swab at the Sampling Site at the Shops at Ithaca Mall, and will be switching to a saliva-only collection method at that location.
Testing and Screening Coordinator
Bridget McCann will be serving as our Testing and Screening Coordinator for the spring semester. Before transitioning to this position, she spent three years at IC in Athletic Communications, helping promote the Bombers’ 27 sports. Prior to joining IC, McCann was an Athletic Communications graduate assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck, N.J. She completed her Masters of Sports Administration degree in April 2017 after two years with the Knights. McCann also has experience as a high school sports reporter, working at The Coast Star in Manasquan, N.J. for two-and-a-half years. McCann graduated from Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J. in 2012 with a degree in Communications: Print Journalism and a minor in marketing. She was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team while at Centenary. Bridget’s office will be located in Terraces 13 and questions can be directed to testing@ithaca.edu.
