Welcome to Iowa State! We’re glad you’re here!

As you are aware, Iowa State is performing COVID-19 tests on all students moving into university housing. Due to recent changes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we have made an adjustment to the testing criteria by adding an exception for students who have received positive test results since May 15, 2020.

Students who have received a positive viral test result on May 15, 2020 or after will be exempt from re-testing at this time.

The student is asked to email Thielen Student Health Center at CycloneHealth@iastate.edu and provide documentation of their positive test showing their name, date of their test and that it was a viral test. Only positive viral tests will be accepted.

The team will review the documentation and respond via email one of two ways:

  1. If criteria is met, the student will receive a confirmation email stating they are exempt. The student will still need to report to the testing center at their pre-assigned time to pick up their ISU Student ID (if needed), room or apartment key, and one-hour move-in parking pass. Students meeting this exemption must bring their confirmation email from the Thielen Student Health Center when they check in.
  2.  If criteria is not met, the student will need to fill out the pre-test questionnaire, follow the directions found there and report to the testing center as normal at their pre-assigned time.

Please let us know if you have additional questions. We’re excited to see you soon!
What Will Testing and Check-In Be Like?
Let's Ask Cy!
Develop an Emergency Plan
The Department of Residence has reserved space for students who need to isolate because of a positive COVID-19 test result and students who need to quarantine because of known exposure to a positive case of COVID-19 (this will be determined through contact tracing conducted by ISU’s Public Health Team). Quarantine and isolation housing is only provided to students living in the residence halls. Students living in campus apartments will isolate or quarantine in their apartment.

It is important that you and your family have an emergency health plan in place should you test positive for COVID-19. While on-campus housing is available, you may decide you want to return home.

More information about personal health, isolation and quarantine can be found here .
The Move In Process
This year, move-in and testing go hand in hand (or...maybe it's more like they wave at each other?) You can learn more about the process here . If you have specific questions about move in times, please contact the Department of Residence at housing@iastate.edu . See you soon - and don't forget to wear a face covering at check in!
Iowa State University
Thielen Student Health & Department of Residence