Quarantine and isolation on or off Ball State's campus requires strict adherence to guidelines established by the University and the CDC. Find answers to frequently asked questions about the quarantine and isolation process for students below.

Common Questions

Students who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms may use the symptom checker at iuhealth.org/covid19 to check for COVID-19 symptoms. The symptom checker BOT check icon is in the lower left corner of the page. If you are symptomatic, the checker will give you a path or referral to the appropriate medical service. Learn more about virtual visit options here (link to Virtual COVID-19 Screenings FAQ).

Ball State is offering several options for on-campus testing, including rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic patients. For more on these options, visit our Get Tested page.

  • Isolation is used to separate people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from people who are not infected.
    • People who are in isolation should stay home until it is safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).
  • Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows if they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.

Students are expected to abide by the CDC's quarantine guidance. This guidance indicates that an individual should quarantine in the following circumstances:

  • Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24- hour period;
  • Providing care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19;
  • Having direct physical contact with a person who has COVID-19 (e.g., hugging or kissing);
  • Sharing eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19; and
  • Someone with COVID-19 sneezing, coughing, or otherwise getting respiratory droplets on the individual.

While the CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine period as the safest strategy, the CDC’s most recent guidance provides that the quarantine period can end after 10 days if the person experiences no symptoms.

Note that people who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine (or get tested again) for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again.

A "close contact" is someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

* Individual exposures are added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

Students who are directed to isolate or quarantine, may do so at their permanent residence (home), if feasible. Some factors to consider include whether your permanent residence includes people at higher risk for severe illness, your ability to isolate or quarantine without exposing others, and access to reliable WiFi to be able to complete your coursework.

  • When connected with the Ball State Contact Tracing team, students who have tested positive with COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact will be given the option to enroll in the IU Health Twistle, a program that enables students to be monitored by a healthcare professional while in isolation and on campus quarantine. Students will receive a text message with instructions on how to enroll.
  • Students in isolation and students quarantined on campus will also receive information via email about participating in the Cardinal Navigator program.
    • A Cardinal Navigator is a student who volunteers to be a peer support and resource for students in quarantine. A Navigator is made available to students in quarantine to provide virtual assistance via phone or video chat. They will check-in with students regularly, respond to questions, and help connect them to campus resources to support their academic progress while in quarantine. Students in quarantine will have the option to have a Navigator assigned to them.
  • Students are expected to complete coursework as determined by the instructor during quarantine or isolation. Students are responsible for maintaining communication with faculty throughout the period of quarantine or isolation.
  • For students who report their situation to the university, were contacted by Ball State Contact Tracing, or have been contacted by IU Health or the Student Health Center, faculty will receive a notice from the Dean of Students that the student may be out for an extended period of time. Faculty will not be informed of the exact date of their return or why they are out. The notice to faculty will also include that the student will communicate with the faculty to request arrangements to complete the coursework during the period the student is away from campus and class.
  • If students are too sick (symptomatic) to complete their coursework as expected, they should communicate about their situation with their faculty.

People who test positive and are directed to isolate must stay home except to get medical care.

When in isolation:

  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
  • Wear a mask when around other people, if you are able to do so.
  • Stay home and monitor your health.
  • Stay away from others for the duration of the quarantine period after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19 or from the time you were notified that you are a close contact. (While the CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine period as the safest strategy, the CDC’s most recent guidance provides that the quarantine period can end after 10 days if the person experiences no symptoms.)
  • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

If the student lives on campus.

  1. Stay in your room. Do not attend class.
  2. Use the symptom checker to check for symptoms at iuhealth.org/covid19 or call the Ball State Student Health Center for a health consultation.
  3. The healthcare provider will determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
    • If you are advised by IU Health to get tested and to isolate pending the results of your test, complete THIS FORM to notify the university of your status so you can be moved to temporary housing. If you are advised to isolate after hours, contact your Hall Director.
    • If you are advised by the Student Health Center to get tested and to isolate pending the results of your test, the Student Health Center staff will begin the process for you to be moved to the designated isolation space. The Student Health Center staff will also submit notification to the university so faculty can be notified. Students are expected to complete coursework as determined by the instructor during quarantine or isolation. Students are responsible for maintaining communication with faculty throughout the period of quarantine and isolation.
  4. When you get tested for COVID-19.
    • If you test positive for COVID-19:
      • You may choose to isolate off campus. If you do not have somewhere to isolate safely, you can continue your isolation in the designated isolation space, which could be a residence hall room or apartment on campus.
      • You may leave isolation when cleared by your healthcare provider. You must remain in isolation for at least 10 days, be fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing agents), and have improved symptoms.
      • When cleared to leave isolation, you can notify the University by completing the check-out form.
      • If you are in isolation housing and you are leaving to isolate at your permanent residence you should complete the check-out form.
      • Residence hall students who are assigned to isolation housing may use the Ball State shuttle to get back to campus or arrange your own transportation.
    • If your results are negative:
      • If you continue to have symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.
      • If you are symptom free, you may complete the check-out form and return to your permanent housing assignment. You should contact your faculty to let them know you are cleared to return to class as normal.
      • Residence hall students who are assigned to isolation housing may use the Ball State shuttle to get back to campus or arrange your own transportation.

If the student lives off campus.

  1. Stay home. Do not attend class.
  2. Use the symptom checker to check symptoms at iuhealth.org/covid19 or call the Ball State Student Health Center for a health consultation.
  3. The healthcare provider will determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
    • If you are advised by IU Health to get tested and to isolate pending the results of your test:
      • You should isolate at your current residence and follow CDC guidance for isolation. You may also choose to return to your permanent residence, if appropriate.
      • Complete this form to notify the university of your status so faculty can be notified.
    • If you are advised by the Student Health Center to get tested and to isolate pending the results of your test, the Student Health Center staff will submit notification to the university so faculty can be notified. Students are expected to complete coursework as determined by the instructor during quarantine or isolation. Students are responsible for maintaining communication with faculty throughout the period of quarantine or isolation.
  4. If you get tested for COVID-19.
    • If you test positive for COVID-19:
      • Continue your isolation off campus. Students who are directed to isolate may do so at their permanent residence (home), if feasible. Some factors to consider include whether your permanent residence includes people at higher risk for severe illness, your ability to isolate or quarantine without exposing others, and access to reliable WiFi to be able to complete your coursework.
      • The health care provider who ordered your test should inform you of how long to isolate. If you did not receive that information with your positive results, please follow-up with the health care provider. You may also consult CDC guidance for more information on isolation.
    • If your results are negative:
      • If you continue to have symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.
      • If you are symptom free, let your faculty know you are able to return, and then resume classes as normal.

If you have not been identified as a close contact, are symptom free, and have not been referred to get tested by a healthcare provider, you are not required to quarantine.

If the student lives on campus.

  1. If you were not tested through IU Health or the Student Health Center, complete this form to let us know your results. If you were tested through IU Health or the Student Health Center, you can skip this step.
  2. If you plan to stay on campus during your time in isolation, stay in your room until you are contacted by Housing and Residence Life staff. Do not go to class.
  3. You will receive an email from the Office of the Dean of Students which includes information about isolation housing. Housing and Residence Life staff will contact you to confirm your plans for isolating.
  4. You may choose to isolate off campus. If you do not have somewhere to isolate safely, Housing and Residence Life will move you to a designated isolation space, which could be a room or apartment on campus.
  5. The health care provider who ordered your test should inform you of how long to isolate. If you did not receive that information with your positive results, please follow-up with the health care provider. You may also consult CDC guidance for more information on isolation.
  6. When cleared to leave isolation, you should notify the University of your departure by completing the check-out form.
  7. If you are in isolation housing and you are leaving to isolate at your permanent residence you should complete the check-out form.
  8. Residence hall students who are assigned to isolation housing may use the Ball State shuttle to get back to campus or arrange your own transportation.

If the student lives off campus.

  1. If you were not tested through IU Health or the Student Health Center, complete this form to let us know your results. If you were tested through IU Health or the Student Health Center, you can skip this step.
  2. You should isolate at your current residence and follow CDC guidance for isolation. You may also choose to return to your permanent residence, if appropriate.
  3. The health care provider who ordered your test should inform you of how long to isolate. If you did not receive that information with your positive results, please follow-up with the health care provider. You may also consult CDC guidance for more information on isolation.

If the student lives on campus.

  1. If you were advised by Ball State Contract Tracing that you need to quarantine, you will receive an email from the Office of the Dean of Students with information regarding the quarantine process.
  2. If you were not contacted by Ball State Contact Tracing but know you were a close contact and need to quarantine, complete this form to notify the university of your status so you can be moved to temporary housing. Students are usually not moved to quarantine after 8pm. If you need assistance after hours, please contact your Hall Director or residence hall front desk.
  3. You will receive an email from the Office of the Dean of Students which includes information about quarantine housing. Housing and Residence Life staff will contact you to confirm your plans for your time in quarantine.
  4. You may choose to quarantine off campus. If you do not have somewhere to quarantine safely, Housing and Residence Life will move you to a designated quarantine space, which could be a residence hall room, apartment on campus, or hotel.
  5. Close contacts are required to quarantine. While the CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine period as the safest strategy, the most recent guidance provides that the quarantine period can end after 10 days if the person experiences no symptoms. Consistent with this CDC guidance, when an individual is instructed to quarantine (due to exposure to someone who is or may be positive for COVID-19), that individual may end their quarantine after 10 days from the date of exposure (or, if the exact date of exposure is unknown, 10 days from the date of being instructed to quarantine) if they do not experience COVID-19 symptoms. In situations like this where quarantine is ended after 10 days due to not experiencing any symptoms, the person must continue to monitor for symptoms until 14 days after exposure. Individuals who develop symptoms after stopping quarantine must immediately isolate and contact a healthcare provider.
  6. Close contacts who are directed to quarantine and do not experience symptoms must remain quarantined for a minimum of 10 days even if a COVID-19 test comes back negative.
  7. When you have completed your time in quarantine, you can notify the University of your departure by completing the check-out form.
  8. If you are in quarantine housing and you are leaving to quarantine at your permanent residence you should complete the check-out form.
  9. Residence hall students who are assigned to quarantine housing may use the Ball State shuttle to get back to campus or arrange your own transportation.

If the student lives off campus.

  1. If you were advised by Ball State Contract Tracing that you need to quarantine, you do not need to report your status to the university.
  2. If you were not advised by Ball State Contact Tracing of your need to quarantine, complete this form to notify the university of your status so your faculty can be appropriately notified.
  3. Close contacts are required to quarantine. While the CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine period as the safest strategy, the most recent guidance provides that the quarantine period can end after 10 days if the person experiences no symptoms. Consistent with this CDC guidance, when an individual is instructed to quarantine (due to exposure to someone who is or may be positive for COVID-19), that individual may end their quarantine after 10 days from the date of exposure (or, if the exact date of exposure is unknown, 10 days from the date of being instructed to quarantine) if they do not experience COVID-19 symptoms. In situations like this where quarantine is ended after 10 days due to not experiencing any symptoms, the person must continue to monitor for symptoms until 14 days after exposure. Individuals who develop symptoms after stopping quarantine must immediately isolate and contact a healthcare provider.
  4. Close contacts who are directed to quarantine and do not experience symptoms must remain quarantined for a minimum of 10 days even if a COVID-19 test comes back negative.

If your roommate was directed to quarantine because they were exposed to someone with COVID-19 but you did not come in contact with the same person, you do not need to quarantine. A contact of this type is considered a tertiary contact (you were in contact with someone who was in contact with a person who is COVID+). The CDC does not recommend that tertiary contacts quarantine. Should your roommate/friend develop symptoms, you may then be considered a close contact and then be required to quarantine.

Students in quarantine or isolation may use the Virtual Screening Clinic that is available through the IU Health Virtual Visits app. Download the Indiana University Health Virtual Visits app (in the App Store or Google Play store) or enroll on your computer.

You will need to enroll using the “sign up” option and complete your personal profile. If you have private insurance, please include your insurance information when you enroll. You must use your current address, and personal cell phone number when enrolling in the app. You are encouraged to use a non BSU email address that you check on a regular basis.

If you are in quarantine or isolation housing, use your residence hall address and NOT your quarantine housing address.

Yes. Students in quarantine may leave to get tested for COVID-19 if a health care provider has recommended you are tested.

You are permitted to accept contactless deliveries only. However, you should be clear with the delivery person that it must be contactless. Wear a mask and maintain a six-foot distance. All care should be taken to not expose someone else to the virus.

No. While in quarantine you must separate yourself from others. However, you may step outside to get fresh air for a brief time, wear a mask and ensure you are more than six feet from anyone else. You may also stay connected to your friends and family by phone, video chat, etc.

No. Students in quarantine and isolation are not permitted to have visitors or guests.

If You are Going into University Operated Quarantine or Isolation Housing

Students are advised to have a quarantine bag which includes:

  • toiletries, eyewear and medications (prescription and non-prescription)
  • thermometer
  • laptop
  • text books
  • pillow & blanket
  • sufficient clothing to last 2 weeks
  • electronics and chargers
  • any items for entertainment
  • anything that will make your stay more comfortable
  • snacks that you like

Residence hall students with a meal plan will receive an email from the Office of the Dean of Students which will include directions to arrange meal delivery from Dining Services for students with a meal plan. Students should only complete this form once. Your scheduled meal deliveries will discontinue when you submit the Isolation/Quarantine Check Out Form.

Students who do not have a meal plan must arrange with friends to get meals and food. You may also use contactless food delivery options.

Submit a room repair request or call University Apartment office at 765-285-5095.

For medical and other emergencies, call 911 or University Police Department at 765-285-1111. When you call, you must inform the dispatcher if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.

University Contact Information

Coronavirus Disease: University COVID Information and Resources
https://www.bsu.edu/coronavirus

Counseling Center
Web: www.bsu.edu/counselingcenter
Phone: 765-285-1967
Email: counselingctr@bsu.edu

Office of the Dean of Students
Web: https://www.bsu.edu/dos
Phone: 765-285-1545
Email: dos@bsu.edu

University Dining
Web: www.bsu.edu/dining
Phone: 765-285-1967
Email: dining@bsu.edu

Housing and Residence Life
Web: www.bsu.edu/housing
Phone: 765-285-8000
Email: housing@bsu.edu

Learning Center
Web: www.bsu.edu/learningcenter
Phone: 765-285-1006
Check web for hours, services, contact information, and how to schedule an appointment.

Public Safety
Web: www.bsu.edu/publicsafety
Phone: 765-285-1832
Emergency: 765-285-1111
Email: police@bsu.edu

Ball State Student Health Center
Web: www.bsu.edu/healthcenter
Phone: 765-285-8431
Email: healthcenter@bsu.edu
Check web for hours, services, providers, and appointment information.