Ohio University is requiring all of its students on the Athens campus to take a COVID-19 test before returning to campus. Anyone who tests positive is encouraged to follow COVID-19 protocols and self-isolate. Students will also need to take a test before returning to campus activities due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Students can schedule a test at the Vault Health Testing Center in Shively Hall starting Wednesday. Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to test before returning to campus activities for the safety of our community on campus. Xavier University is also asking its students to get tested within 72 hours before returning home and they will need to upload proof that they have tested negative. For the start of the Xavier spring semester, masks will be mandatory in indoor public spaces such as classrooms, but not mandatory in residence halls. And all students eligible for the booster are strongly encouraged to get one. Xavier University said the small percentage of unvaccinated students with an approved religious exemption will need to participate in surveillance tests. Vaccinated students will not be tested at random. Xavier University officials said the combination of vaccine, booster and pre-arrival testing requirements will help keep students safe when they return to class.