COVID-19 Testing Available for Students, Faculty and Staff

Photo by Chieko Hara

A student works on a laptop at the Arkansas Union while protecting himself and other students.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – COVID-19 testing is available on campus five days a week for University of Arkansas students, faculty and staff. The Pat Walker Health Center offers testing at the Garland Garage Monday through Friday by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 479-575-4451, option 1.

Many area health providers also offer COVID-19 testing off campus. Members of the campus community are required to self-report positive results via the online self-reporting form for testing conducted off campus. Violations of the self-reporting requirement and other violations of the university’s COVID-19 guidelines should be reported to the Office of Student Standards and Conduct through the university’s online reporting resource report.uark.edu.

“With an increase in the number of positive cases being reported early in the fall semester, mostly within our student population, it’s important to test not only those who are experiencing symptoms but also others who may have been exposed,” said Dr. Huda Sharaf, medical director for the Pat Walker Health Center.

To assist with this effort, three drive-through COVID-19 testing clinics are scheduled this week to help screen large groups of students that the university has prioritized for testing. The Arkansas Department of Health will be on campus to conduct the testing with the support of staff from the Pat Walker Health Center.

“We appreciate the support of the Arkansas Department of Health as our campus and state work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during this public health emergency,” Sharaf said.

The additional drive-through COVID-19 testing clinics for prioritized students who have been notified to be tested will be conducted in the parking lot across from Baum-Walker Stadium at the corner of South Razorback Road and West 15th Street from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 1-3.

Students who are tested will need to bring valid student ID cards. Mask requirements will be in effect except for the few seconds needed to conduct each test. No appointment is necessary.

ADH will provide the testing at no cost, but students with insurance should bring their insurance information with them.

The university is currently planning for additional on-campus testing options and an announcement will be made soon.

Visit the university’s COVID-19 information site for the latest information and resources.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.