As Ball State University prepares for students’ return to campus for the Spring semester, we continue to focus our efforts on the safety of our campus community. With this in mind, and in keeping with current guidance from public health officials, students are required to submit a COVID-19 test result prior to arriving on or returning to our campus in January.

All students must be tested for COVID-19 and provide a test result to the University. The test must be administered within seven days of arriving on campus in January. Specifics of the requirement, including any exceptions, are outlined in the following protocol:

Read Pre-Arrival Protocol (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

All students are required to submit a test result. 
Exceptions are:

  • Any student tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90-day period prior to returning to campus for Spring 2021, and the positive test result has been provided to the University through IU Health, the health department or a self-report; or
  • The student is enrolled entirely online for the Spring 2021 semester, is not residing in the residence halls, and will not be physically present on campus in the Spring semester; or
  • The student is approved for an exception by the Director of the Health Center.

A COVID-19 test must be administered within seven days of arriving on or returning to campus. Residence hall move-in begins on Jan. 15. So, as an example, if you plan to move in on Jan. 15,  you must be tested and provide a negative result to the University on or after Jan. 8

Test results will be submitted electronically through the Ball State website. The portal will be published on Jan. 8 and will be shared with students via email, social media and other forms of communication. A link will be published on this page.

Yes. Students must quarantine at home between the time they are tested and the time they arrive on our campus.

Any new student beginning their education at Ball State in January 2021, taking at least one on-campus course or living in a residence hall, will be required to submit a COVID-19 test result before arriving on campus in January.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 should submit their test results via the Ball State submission website and then will receive instructions for at-home isolation and instructions about when they can return to campus.

Students who are required to submit a test result and fail to do so will not be permitted to move-in to the residence halls, and will not have academic access until a test result in submitted. 

Students who tested positive for COVID-19 during a 90 day period prior to returning in January will not be required to get a new test.

The Centers for Disease Control have released specific guidance to consider for holiday gatherings. Students should review and adhere to these recommendations.