Tech to offer virus testing, reveals game day rules
As students and faculty began fall quarter classes Thursday, Louisiana Tech University made several announcements related to COVID-19, chief among them an opportunity for free virus testing and new restrictions for football game days at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Testing
In partnership with the federal and state health departments and the Louisiana National Guard, Tech will offer free COVID-19 testing for students, faculty, staff and members of the Ruston community beginning Monday in the Argent Pavilion near the Thomas Assembly Center.
The walk-up and drive-through testing will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Friday for two weeks and possibly longer depending on the number of tests administered.
Tests will be self-administered via nasal swab. Tech officials noted the swab is not as invasive as some tests in the early days of the pandemic.
Those interested can pre-register at DoINeedaCovid19Test. com for a testing time, but pre-registration is not required. Officials said it would simply speed up the testing process upon arrival.
Advance registration for the Ruston testing should be available this weekend.
Individuals who want to be tested will need to approach the pavilion entering at Alabama Avenue and Bulldog Drive near Hideaway Park.
Those tested will have the option to report their results to Tech, and university President Les Guice said in a campus update that he encourages students, faculty and staff to do that.
Game day
Days after postponing its opening game against Baylor due to dozens of positive coronavirus tests among the football team, Tech on Thursday announced a list of procedures and guidelines for its five scheduled home games at Joe Aillet Stadium this season.
Attendance will not exceed 25% of maximum stadium capacity, meaning 7,140 seats will be available. That will include 1,000 complimentary seats for students. Tech students beyond that number will have the chance to purchase individual seats at a discounted price, if available. During games where the maximum is not sold, more complimentary seats will be made available for students.
Everyone in atten dance will be required to wear face masks or coverings on game day to comply with the state’s mask mandate. This applies to everyone but children under eight years old or someone with a medical condition that prevents mask-wearing.
All tickets and parking passes will be digital this season. Mobile parking will be loaded onto the same application where fans can access their digital tickets.
Most traditions surrounding game day will also be absent this year. That includes all festivities in Bulldog Village, pre-game tailgating on campus, pre-game meals at Argent Pavilion and the Bulldog Walk.
No on-field band performances will be permitted. A reduced number of cheer/ dance teams will be allowed on the field, spaced apart and in masks.
PSC reopens
The university also announced that its Psychological Services Clinic, which has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, will reopen and resume services to existing clients on Sept. 14 and to new clients on Sept. 21.
Hours will be 1-5 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to noon and 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays, and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays. The clinic is located at 509 West Alabama Avenue.
The PSC functions as a training facility for doctoral students in Tech’s doctorate program in counseling psychology in the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. Working under the supervision of faculty and licensed psychologists, doctoral students are able to provide psychological assessment and psychotherapy services.
