Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces $8.3 Million for COVID-19 Testing at Wisconsin’s Private, Non-Profit, and Tribal Colleges and Universities

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 09/24/2020 12:03 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2020
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443
 
Gov. Evers Announces $8.3 Million for COVID-19 Testing at Wisconsin's Private, Non-Profit, and Tribal Colleges and Universities
MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers announced today $8.3 million to support COVID-19 testing efforts at Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit and tribal colleges and universities. This effort follows Gov. Evers’ investment of more than $10 million in general COVID-19 support for Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit, and tribal campuses announced on earlier this summer.

“All across our state we are seeing an alarming increase in positive cases of COVID-19, especially among 18 to 24 year olds in our campus communities,” said Gov. Evers. “No campus exists in a bubble, so it is critical that we all work together to stop the spread of this virus for the health and safety of not only those on our college campuses, but for Wisconsinites in every corner of our state, and testing is a key step in doing just that.”

“I want to express our deepest thanks to Governor Evers and his administration for the professional and thoughtful way they have made this funding in support of COVID-19 testing available for our member colleges and universities,” said Dr. Rolf Wegenke, President and CEO of Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU). “We are indeed in a crisis. In a time of crisis, some run around saying that ‘the sky is falling' while others roll up their sleeves and get the job done. Today, we are getting the job done.”

The testing effort is funded through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars.

Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), the program provides reimbursement for COVID-19 testing, specimen collection, and other related expenditures incurred by private, nonprofit colleges and universities. Institutions may use the funding to procure COVID-19 tests and testing services to test students, faculty, and staff who are symptomatic, asymptomatic, or in close contact with confirmed COVID-19 positive cases.

“The health of our students, faculty, and staff during this unprecedented time is a priority, especially as we see increases in COVID-19 cases among college students throughout the nation,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “I am proud we can support Wisconsin’s higher education institutions in their efforts to provide sanitary and safe learning environments.”
 
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