For Faculty, Staff, and Researchers

Local leadership will enroll you in the testing program prior to your return-to-campus date. Confirm with your supervisor and/or local testing coordinator that you have been enrolled. Then, create your Color account using your Harvard email.

Crimson Clear will indicate your testing frequency based on your testing group, vaccination status, last test date, and local infection rates.

Learn more about testing.

Test the first day you return to campus. Then follow the testing cadence based on your testing group listed under “How often do I test?”

Your cadence is based on your testing group, vaccination status, last test date, and local infection rates. Color will regularly email and text you when it is your day to test.

Learn more about testing.

You may have access to a local supply of test kits in your department or unit. Check with your supervisor.

You can also check with your School or Unit’s local testing coordinator for test kit pick-up locations.

Drop-off bins are available at multiple locations across campus. See the map to find your nearest location. You should drop off your test sample as soon as possible after completing your self-swab. Note the hours of operation and last pick-up times for each collection bin on the map. Samples not deposited in a bin within 24 hours from activation may be discarded by the lab.

If you have an infrequent on-campus presence (e.g., once/month), you should test on the day you arrive on campus. After that, follow the testing cadence listed in your Color account. In general, employees with an infrequent on-campus presence will test every 30 days. If you find yourself coming to campus more frequently, notify your testing coordinator and immediately test at a higher frequency.

All University affiliates who are authorized to be on campus are required to test at their assigned cadence. Your Color account will indicate your testing frequency and compliance/noncompliance status based on your testing group, vaccination status, last test date, and local infection rates. Managers will be informed of a noncompliance status. Failure to comply with testing will be addressed appropriately at the local level.

For vacation and sick time, we have built a grace period into testing compliance, but it’s a good practice to make sure your supervisor is aware you might fall out of compliance.

Color is a health testing and technology company. Harvard has partnered with Color to administer the University’s testing procedures, which includes providing test kits, managing alerts for regular testing, and delivering test results to individuals. See Harvard University IT’s Color FAQs for more information.

It is likely that you have not been activated for testing.  Contact your local testing coordinator to troubleshoot the situation.

It’s possible your kit was not activated properly. The best advice is to simply submit another test, but you can also contact support@color.com to troubleshoot what happened. Again, best course of action is to take another test.

Inside campus buildings, everyone must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Talk with your supervisor about guidance specific to your building, department, and office. Building signage will also indicate health and safety information. For example, certain areas may be designated for eating and drinking. See EH&S’ Guidance for On-Campus Activity and General Use Face Covering Guidance for more information.

Only you and HUHS will know your vaccination status and required testing cadence. Review the COVID-19 testing and tracing data collection and privacy information to understand which information is collected and how it is used.

All University affiliates who are authorized to be on campus are required to be tested at their assigned cadence. Managers will be notified of a noncompliance status. Failure to comply with testing will be addressed appropriately at the local level.