Students fail to comply with covid tests

The University of Maryland in College Park referred about 150 students to its conduct office for failing to comply with coronavirus testing requirements, a school spokesman said.

Students and employees who visit the campus for classes, on-campus jobs or other activities are required to complete daily symptom checks and confirm they have tested negative for the coronavirus. But officials discovered dozens were noncompliant this fall.

The University of Maryland generates reports of students who visit campus and have not submitted coronavirus test results from off-campus clinics or do not have upcoming testing appointments on campus, said Katie Lawson, a spokesman for the campus. The school also uses its building locking system and Wi-Fi network to monitor who visits campus and if visitors have completed health screenings, according to the school’s data policy.

The health screenings, designed to capture information about symptoms related to the coronavirus, are a series of questions answered in an app.

Students who did not follow those requirements this semester received two warnings before they were referred to the Office of Student Conduct, Lawson said. Upon referral, students are required to attend an information session about the disciplinary process, then officials will determine if sanctions are warranted.

Employees who do not abide by testing requirements are also subject to punishment, Lawson said.