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).

There are several COVID-19 testing sites available in Delaware County. To find a local testing site visit https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/covid-19-testing-information/. Select Delaware County in the drop-down menu on the left to identify the testing locations in Muncie.

Students 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.

Students and employees who are not fully vaccinated may be required to submit to mandatory surveillance testing as public health warrants. For more information on surveillance testing, visit our Get Tested page.

  • Isolation is used to keep people infected with COVID-19 virus away from people who are not infected, even in their homes.
    • 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.

Consistent with updated CDC guidance, an individual must quarantine for five full days if they are a close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 (i.e., less than six feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period). Day 1 is the first full day after exposure.

If a close contact does not develop symptoms, they may end quarantine after five full days but should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a face mask around others for at least five additional days. Also, if possible and available, an asymptomatic close contact should consider getting a COVID-19 test at least five days after the exposure.

Certain people are exempt from these quarantine requirements, as follows:

  • Ages 18 or older who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
  • Ages 5-17 years who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • People who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days.

If a close contact develops symptoms at any point after being exposed to an infected person, they should get tested and immediately begin isolation until they receive test results. If the test is positive, the isolation guidance should be followed.

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.

  • 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 current circumstance to the university, or were contacted by Ball State Contact Tracing, 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 of circumstance 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.
  • The Dean of Students will not submit a retroactive notice of circumstance to faculty on behalf of students who do not notify the university at the time they are actively in isolation or quarantine.

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

When in isolation:

  • Monitor your symptoms. Watch for fever (100.4F), cough, shortness of breath and other symptoms of COVID-19. 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. (The CDC’s most recent guidance provides that the quarantine period can end after 5 days if the person experiences no symptoms and wears a well-fitting face mask for 5 days after leaving quarantine.)
  • 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 you develop symptoms, get tested immediately.

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, access the IU Health Virtual Visit (PDF) app, 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 must remain in isolation for at least 5 days, be fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing agents), and have improved symptoms or you are cleared to stop isolation by your healthcare provider.
      • At the end of 5 days, if you have no symptoms, you may return to normal activities but must wear a well-fitting face mask everywhere for at least five more days, even at home when you are around others. If you still have symptoms after isolating for 5 days, you must stay in isolation until the symptoms subside. At that point, when the symptoms subside, you should start your 5 days of wearing a face mask at all times.
      • When cleared to leave isolation, you can notify the University by completing the check-out/return to campus 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 their 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 their 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.
      • You must remain in isolation for at least 5 days, be fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing agents), and have improved symptoms or you are cleared to stop isolation by your healthcare provider.
      • At the end of 5 days, if you have no symptoms, you may return to normal activities but must wear a well-fitting face mask everywhere for at least five more days, even at home when you are around others. If you still have symptoms after isolating for 5 days, you must stay in isolation until the symptoms subside. At that point, when the symptoms subside, you should start your 5 days of wearing a face mask at all times. 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 Consistent with updated CDC guidance, you must quarantine for five full days if you are in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 (i.e., less than six feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period). Day 1 is the first full day after exposure.

    If you do not develop symptoms, you may end quarantine after five full days but should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a well-fitting face mask around others for at least five additional days. Also, if possible and available, and you remain asymptomatic, you should consider getting a COVID-19 test at least five days after the exposure.

    Certain people are exempt from these quarantine requirements, as follows:
    • Ages 18 or older who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
    • Ages 5-17 years who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
    • People who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days.

    If you develop symptoms at any point after being exposed to an infected person, you should get tested and immediately begin isolation until you receive test results. If the test is positive, the isolation guidance should be followed.

  6. When you have completed your time in quarantine, you can notify the University of your departure by completing the check-out/return to campus form.
  7. If you are in quarantine housing and you are leaving to quarantine at your permanent residence you should complete the check-out form.
  8. 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. Consistent with updated CDC guidance, you must quarantine for five full days if you are a close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 (i.e., less than six feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period). Day 1 is the first full day after exposure.

    If you do not develop symptoms, you may end quarantine after five full days but should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a face mask around others for at least five additional days. Also, if possible and available, and you remain asymptomatic, you should consider getting a COVID-19 test at least five days after the exposure.

    Certain people are exempt from these quarantine requirements, as follows:
    • Ages 18 or older who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
    • Ages 5-17 years who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
    • People who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days.

    If you develop symptoms at any point after being exposed to an infected person, you should get tested and immediately begin isolation until they receive test results. If the test is positive, the isolation guidance should be followed.

If your roommate is unvaccinated and 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 if you are not fully vaccinated. Should your roommate/friend develop symptoms, but you are fully vaccinated and do not develop symptoms, you will not 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.