Olivet Introduces Saliva Testing Program
The 2020 fall semester looked very different for students and faculty across the globe, and all fought to learn and adapt to the everchanging circumstances that the coronavirus had brought.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, administrators at Olivet Nazarene University have aimed to stay ahead of the virus to ensure our campus can maintain its lively and welcoming atmosphere. The university overcame the challenges of the virus last semester and is prepared to bring back a sense of normalcy for our students this spring semester, thanks to the new saliva testing program.
The CDC published further information for testing alternatives that were less invasive than the nasal swab test. The nasal swob test can often feel invasive and can lead to further sneezing and coughing.
According to research in the journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, saliva testing “samples are easier to collect than nasal and throat samples….and does not require sampling proficiency.” Testers would only be required to avoid consuming any beverages or food at least 30 minutes prior to filling their test tube with their saliva. This avoids the tester from submitting an invalid, or compromised, sample.
This posed an opportunity for Olivet to bring this testing program to its campus. After watching surrounding universities, staying up to date on the research published by the CDC, and meeting with the health and biology departments, Olivet administrators decided to move forward with the saliva testing. Their hope was that this testing program would enable them to stay one step ahead of the virus and to bring back a sense of normalcy for the students.
To make this a seamless and efficient transition, they chose to conduct the testing themselves on-site. This would mean that samples would be collected and tested on the campus grounds under the supervision of the university itself.
When asked about whether or not the salvia test is efficient enough, Dr. Dan Sharda, professor of the ONU biology department, confidently said, “it is just as good [as the nasal swob],” and continued, “in fact, our tests are more sensitive than the rapid tests that you would get anywhere else.”
The next step was to create a testing program that students and faculty could both partake in to move the university towards a healthier and more open environment.
Most students are required to turn in one sample a week. Due to some extracurricular activities and other circumstance, Drew Case (pictured above) and other students turn in two samples a week. “I appreciate that I get twice the certification with covid testing”, says Drew. (photo by Alyssa Laidler) 
On their designated day, participants fill their test tubes halfway with saliva and turn it into one of the drop boxes across campus. Within 24 hours, the ONU Covid Response Team will collect test samples and send participants their results. (photo by Drew Case) 
At the start of the semester, University provided students and faculty with mini test tubes. Each participant received enough test tubes for the semester. (photo by Drew Case)
The Process
Before you begin, make sure you haven’t had anything to eat or drink, been chewing gum or brushing your teeth, for at least 30 minutes prior to submitting your sample. To be a valid test Our sample also detects the presence of human saliva. So if you dilute your sample with water, it might come back as an invalid test and won’t count as a submitted sample. Just be sure you haven’t had anything in your mouth for 30 minutes prior and you’ll be fine. When you’re ready, go ahead and place one of the barcode labels that is specific to you on your test tube with the label in the horizontal position. Then relax, let some saliva pool in your mouth first. And when you have enough saliva, bring the tube right up to your lips and basically drool into the tube until it’s filled halfway. Then go ahead and securely closed the tube, wipe away any excess that may have gotten on the outside and then wash your hands. From there, You’ll need to take your tube and deliver it to one of the collection bins on campus located in either Ludwig, Reed, or Perry.
To ensure that the testing process runs as smoothly as possible this spring semester, Olivet created a strategic program for all students, faculty, and staff to follow. At the beginning of the spring 2021 semester, all individuals were asked to report to the Centennial Chapel for an instructional video of Dr. Dan Sharda explaining the saliva testing program. Along with the video, students were also provided with a packet of test tubes and were asked to sign a contract stating they would be compliant with the testing program. Each student received a designated drop-off day where they must submit a saliva test tube to one of the drop boxes on campus. With Olivet’s efficient testing program, students are able to receive their test results by the end of their drop-off day. For more in-depth information on the saliva testing program, please click on video above to hear Dr. Dan Sharda explain the saliva testing process.
Saliva Testing Drop-off Sites
Indicated by Blue Markers.
To make the sample collection process more efficient for both the students and the COVID response team, Olivet has provided multiple drop-off sites for students to submit their saliva test tubes. These sites are located in highly-trafficked buildings on campus. Locations include:
- Ludwig Center
- Reed Hall of Science
- Perry Fitness Center
By the Numbers
As of March 10, 2021, a total of 21,768 saliva tests had been administered to Olivet students during the Spring 2021 semester. Olivet’s current positivity rate is 0.33%, a number significantly lower than the threshold of “concern”, which has allowed many activities and events to resume with some regulations and safety precautions still in place. Comparing the numbers from the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters reveals that the number of positive COVID cases has decreased by over 75%, with only two currently active cases and 60 resolved cases. While this numerical data is not indisputable evidence, it is a good indicator that the saliva testing program may indeed be working to keep COVID numbers down.
Olivet’s “COVID Dashboard” allows students, faculty, family, and community members to stay up-to-date on the current COVID statistics at Olivet. Click on link above for live updates.
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