If testing is not completed according to the SUNY Poly scheduled testing days/weeks, you should submit your outside NAAT/PCR test results to HR@sunypoly.edu (employees) or to wellnesscenter@sunypoly.edu (students). Antigen (at-home) tests may be accepted for 2022-2023 when NAAT/PCR tests are not readily available.
This page is designed to provide the SUNY Poly community with answers to frequently asked questions regarding pooled testing. For specific information about pooled testing at SUNY Poly, including testing schedules and processes, visit the student testing page and the employee testing page. An important note: as federal, state, local, and SUNY health guidance changes due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, SUNY Poly’s rules will also evolve as the institution receives new guidance and/or regulations are promulgated. SUNY Poly reserves the right to change its policy in regards to these matters and will provide updates as needed on the SUNY Poly website.
What if I forget to submit my sample on my scheduled day/week?
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What if I am not on campus for an entire week but am required to test that week?
No one is expected to come to campus just to participate in testing. Upon return, begin testing in the next available round of testing as required.
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What is pooled testing and why is it important?
Pooled testing is a form of COVID-19 surveillance testing in which participants collect saliva in a vial or swab their mouths to provide a sample. These saliva samples are then pooled together based on type of test and analysis of the samples is then performed at the University at Albany’s RNA Institute (vial test).
Pooled testing enables a number of students and employees to be tested at a time by combining their individual samples that they each provide. This saves testing resources, and adds an extra “layer” of knowledge so that those in a COVID-19 “requires further testing” pool can be further tested to help limit the potential spread of the virus. Testing is one component of SUNY Poly’s holistic set of protocols to foster health and safety.
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What is the schedule for pooled testing?
Students: The schedule for student pooled testing can be found on the student testing page.
Employees: Pursuant to guidance from SUNY and the 2022-2023 Plan, following the expiration (on August 31, 2022) of the Memoranda of Understanding between SUNY and unions representing employees, employees will no longer be required to test on a regular basis. Testing will remain available and may be requested at specific intervals (e.g., return to campus).
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How long will pooled testing continue for employees?
Pursuant to the Memoranda of Understanding between SUNY and unions representing employees, SUNY Polytechnic Institute will continue weekly surveillance testing through August 31, 2022, for all employees who are required to report in-person to campus to conduct some or all of their work obligation and who are not fully vaccinated/have not provided proof of vaccination. Those employees who have provided proof of full vaccination must test according to the testing schedule provided on the employee testing section of SUNY Poly’s webpages to monitor for potential breakthrough infections.
Employee testing for Fall 2022-Spring 2023 is not expected to be required, but will remain available to employees who wish to test. Additional test methods (e.g., antigen tests) may also be available to employees.
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How will employees be notified of their results?
If your pool sample comes back positive, you will be contacted by Human Resources for further guidance. As this is a pooled surveillance test, individuals are already presumed negative, therefore you will not be contacted if your pool is presumed negative.
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I am a minor, is there any additional information I should be aware of as I go through the pooled testing process?
If you are still a minor, you must make sure a Parental Consent Form is filled out, which you can receive by emailing studentaffairs@sunypoly.edu. Please make sure it is signed and return to the same email address.
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Can I attend classes in-person/go to work on campus if I am awaiting the results of my pooled COVID-19 test?
You can continue to attend in-person on-campus activities as you await surveillance test results as long as your previous test results are presumed negative or you submitted a negative test result, and you do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
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