TU Issues Statement After Students Express Concern Over COVID Testing Site

Some students at the University of Tulsa are expressing their concerns about the COVID-19 testing inside the Performance Center on campus.

The university says inclement weather forced them to move testing indoors. They say research shows the safest option that met all of the requirements was to use the lobby of the Performance Center.

"The doors to the testing site are not used for access to academic activities; faculty and students using the building for academic purposes have no reason to go to or through the testing area. Only five people are allowed inside for testing at any one time, and they cannot enter any portion of the building utilized by students or employees," said TU officials in a statement.

The university also says they have had no reports of transmission from the testing site or performance center.

Read the Full Statement Below

“The safety and health of our students, faculty and staff are always our top priority. As such, TU was able to remain open during the fall semester with an average weekly COVID-19 positivity rate of just 2.2% thanks to the large-scale surveillance testing conducted on campus.

“Inclement weather forced us to relocate the drive-through testing site indoors, and research showed the safest option that met all of the requirements was to utilize a small portion of the lobby in the 92,000-square-foot Lorton Performance Center. The doors to the testing site are not used for access to academic activities; faculty and students using the building for academic purposes have no reason to go to or through the testing area. Only five people are allowed inside for testing at any one time, and they cannot enter any portion of the building utilized by students or employees.

“Testing site personnel adhere to all protocols mandated by the city and university. In accordance with CDC recommendations, fresh-air ventilation and HVAC filtration have been increased and improved in the center, which is not holding any live performances during the pandemic. The testing site safely provides a free service to the university and the greater Tulsa community.

“Thousands of tests have been successfully administered at TU, and we have had no reports of COVID-19 transmission from the testing site or the performance center. In fact, hosting an on-campus testing facility is one of the most important steps in our plan to allow students to remain living and learning together at TU. We have taken the additional step of providing alternative locations for music students who utilized the building’s lobby for personal practice and do not feel comfortable in that space during this temporary arrangement.

“The university works tirelessly to keep our campus safe, and we would not undertake any activity that would undermine that objective.”