Universities Send Students Home: What's The Reason?

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities to make difficult decisions about whether to send students home or keep them on campus. While some universities, such as James Madison University, North Carolina State University, and Colorado College, have chosen to send students home to reduce the risk of larger outbreaks, others have opted to keep students on campus to minimize potential exposure to the wider community. This decision has sparked debates among health officials, public health experts, and government officials, with some expressing concern that sending students home could cause further spread of the virus. Universities have implemented various measures, such as testing and encouraging students to reduce social activities, to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the mass exodus from campuses for breaks.

COVID-19 outbreaks

In 2020, James Madison University, North Carolina State University, Colorado College, the State University of New York in Oneonta, and California State University, Chico, sent students home after COVID-19 outbreaks. Gayle Hutchinson, president of Chico State, announced plans to reduce student housing, writing that potential additional exposures to the virus “could have an exponential and devastating effect on campus.”

Public health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, cautioned against sending students home after outbreaks, as it could cause further spread of the virus in the wider community. Dr. Fauci suggested that schools should isolate infected or potentially infected students on campus instead. Vice President Mike Pence and White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx agreed that students should be kept on or near campus when positive tests occur to minimize potential exposure to the wider community.

In 2020, during the Thanksgiving holiday, the majority of universities in Kansas also sent students home for the rest of the semester to cut the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Kansas State University encouraged all students to get tested before leaving, specifically three days before travelling to get results. The director of K-State’s health centre, Dr. Kyle Goerl, expressed concern about students taking the virus back to their families and encouraged students to be thoughtful about that risk. Pittsburg State University offered tests to students before leaving campus, and the University of Kansas offered testing to departing students who needed a negative test to travel.

Preventing the spread of coronavirus

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities across the world were faced with the difficult decision of whether to send students home or keep them on campus. In the case of an outbreak, sending students home could cause further spread of the virus, warned public health experts.

Testing

Testing students before they leave for breaks is one way to help prevent the spread of the virus. Kansas State University encouraged all students to get tested before leaving, specifically three days before travelling to get results before they go. The director of K-State's health centre, Dr Kyle Goerl, said:

> The thought of taking the virus back and infecting Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa — we just want students to be thoughtful about that.

Quarantining

While quarantining before leaving campus is not possible with in-person classes, students should be advised to cut back on socialising and reconsider behaviours such as a friend dropping by for a cup of coffee. Dr Goerl said:

> Where we get into trouble is the social activities off campus. A lot of it is related to parties.

Travel

Students should be advised to reduce the number of stops while travelling, sticking to direct flights or bringing food if driving to avoid restaurant pit stops. Students should also be encouraged to get a flu shot before leaving to prevent the spread of influenza.

COVID-19 Basics

Students should be reminded to stick to the COVID-19 basics: wash hands frequently, maintain social distancing and wear a mask. If possible, gatherings such as Thanksgiving feasts should be held outside. Students should also be advised not to travel if they are feeling unwell.

Students' return to campus

Students Return to Campus

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the globe, universities are faced with difficult decisions about how to operate. While some universities have decided to send students home to avoid larger outbreaks, others are encouraging students to return to campus. This decision may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the number of COVID-19 cases in the area, the availability of resources for testing and quarantining, and the impact on the local community.

In the case of Kansas universities, the majority decided to send students home for Thanksgiving in 2020 to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. These universities encouraged students to get tested before leaving and provided guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus during travel. However, they also acknowledged the challenges of quarantining and the limitations of testing, especially with limited resources.

On the other hand, some universities in the United States urged international students to return to campus before the Trump inauguration in 2025 due to fears of another travel ban. Universities such as Cornell University, the University of Southern California, and Northeastern University recommended that international students return to the country before the start of the spring semester or take necessary precautions to avoid delays. This was in response to anticipated immigration policy changes, including a potential expansion of the previous travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries.

In India, Graphic Era University took a similar initiative during the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The university arranged for students stuck in their hostels to be sent home by air, providing peace of mind to worried parents. This was done amidst the announcement of lockdowns and the decision to call off offline classes.

The decision to return students to campus or send them home is a complex one, involving the consideration of public health, student well-being, and the potential impact on the wider community. Each university must assess its unique situation and make decisions that prioritize the safety of its students and staff.

Testing before travelling

• Asymptomatic Testing: Asymptomatic individuals can contribute significantly to the spread of the virus. Routine asymptomatic testing before travel can help identify infected individuals who may not exhibit any symptoms. This is especially important for university students who often live and socialise in close quarters, increasing the risk of transmission.
• Testing Strategies: Different testing strategies have been proposed, each with its strengths and drawbacks.

• Pre-travel Testing: This strategy focuses on testing individuals before they depart for their destination. It includes rapid antigen tests on the day of travel or PCR testing within 2-3 days before departure. Pre-travel testing can reduce the risk of infection during travel and detect a large number of infectious travellers. However, it may miss individuals who are exposed to the virus but not yet detectable at the time of testing.
• Post-travel Testing and Quarantine: This strategy involves testing individuals after they arrive at their destination and implementing a brief quarantine period (e.g., 5 days) with a follow-up PCR test. This approach can further reduce the risk of population-level transmission, especially when travelling from high-incidence areas to low-incidence areas.
• Combination of Pre-travel and Post-travel Testing: Combining pre-travel and post-travel testing strategies can provide the most comprehensive approach to reducing the risk of infection and transmission.

Test Sensitivity and Specificity: The choice of test can impact the effectiveness of testing strategies.

• PCR Tests: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are highly sensitive and specific, making them the gold standard for diagnostic testing. However, they have slower turnaround times and may not detect recent exposures.
• Rapid Antigen Tests: These tests offer faster results (usually within 30 minutes) and can be administered on the day of travel. However, their sensitivity and specificity can vary between manufacturers.

• Timing of Testing: The timing of testing is crucial. Testing too early before travel may miss individuals who are exposed to the virus but not yet infectious. Testing too late may not allow enough time for results and necessary quarantines.
• Quarantine Requirements: Adherence to quarantine requirements is essential to the success of testing strategies. Individuals who test positive or are exposed to the virus should isolate themselves to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
• International Travel: When travelling internationally, students should be aware of the specific testing and quarantine requirements of their destination country. They should also stay informed about any travel restrictions and exemptions.
• University Guidelines: Universities play a vital role in implementing testing strategies and ensuring student compliance. They should provide clear guidelines, offer support, and enforce testing and quarantine policies to protect the health and safety of their students and the wider community.

In summary, testing before travelling can be an effective strategy to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission among university students. A combination of pre-travel and post-travel testing, along with quarantine measures, can provide the most comprehensive approach to protecting students and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, testing should always be used in conjunction with other preventive measures to maximise its effectiveness.

Quarantining before leaving

Students who are driving themselves home may be able to avoid a second quarantine upon arrival by self-quarantining and getting tested on campus before leaving. If students are driving, they should also reduce the number of stops they make along the way. Solo road-trippers should be careful whenever they are outside of their car, and keep their stops for food, gas, and bathroom breaks as brief as possible.

If students are sharing a living arrangement on campus, such as a dorm, house, or apartment, everyone in the living environment must be on board to quarantine as well. If this is not possible, the next best option is to quarantine for 14 days once the student arrives home, especially if the student is not able to quarantine at school or has to travel with others.

In the two weeks before leaving campus, students should wear masks, avoid parties and large gatherings, and only go out for essential reasons such as getting food. In the days right before leaving, students should get tested, preferably with a PCR test. Because the virus's incubation period can extend as long as 14 days, it is ideal for students to get two negative tests separated by three days before heading home.

Colleges and universities can help by making testing easily accessible and providing clear guidelines and plans for students and their families to follow.

Frequently asked questions