Dear Colleague:
Many colleges and universities are already seeing the re-emergence of the highly contagious H1N1 virus this fall with high rates of infection. Young adults ages 18-24 may be especially susceptible to the virus. The good news is that most people who have been sick have recovered without medical treatment. However, as with any influenza, there are reports of hospitalizations and even some deaths from H1N1.

Please be flexible in your approach to student absences. The following policy guideline for higher education was issued August 20, 2009, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”):

“Those with flu-like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people (called “self-isolation”), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay away from others during this time period even if they are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm retrieved August 28, 2009)

Because social distancing and isolation are crucial in preventing the spread of H1N1, we cannot expect students with flu symptoms to attend class. Moreover, students may have a challenging time receiving a written excuse from a health provider. As you review course syllabi with students, please spend sufficient time discussing your policies on class attendance and excused absences against the backdrop of a potential H1N1 outbreak.

Students with flu symptoms will be expected to balance their academic responsibilities with the social responsibility to self-isolate and not attend class or other public gatherings if they are sick. In return, students should expect their instructors to demonstrate reasonable flexibility in the enforcement of written policies on class attendance and excused absences.
You may also want to consider:

• Establishing policies, timelines, and mechanisms for students to inform you that they have flu symptoms;
• Providing students with a reasonable opportunity to make up missed work;
• Ensuring that students have access to syllabi assignments, and other class materials through Blackboard;
• Consulting the Office for Teaching and Learning’s H1N1 preparedness web site, at http://www.lib.wayne.edu/blog/otl/2009/09/03/otl-response-to-h1n1-flu/;
• Remembering that if you come down with flu symptoms you should follow the CDC’s self-isolation guide: “Non-residential students, faculty, and staff with flu-like illness should be asked to self-isolate at home or at a friend’s or family member’s home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/(retrieved August 28, 2009).

At Wayne State, we have undertaken extensive preparations to keep the campus healthy and well-informed. The WSU Influenza Preparedness Standing Committee, active for three years, met with increased frequency over the summer to refine plans, share information, and identify procedures to ensure health and safety in case of a virulent H1N1 outbreak.

The good news is that most cases of H1N1 influenza have been mild and the duration of illness relatively short. We hope this continues and that our personal and institutional efforts will mitigate the impact of the influenza.

We are committed to keeping the campus informed and updated on this unfolding situation. Below are links to additional Wayne State Web pages and links to state, national and international health organizations that have the latest on the H1N1 situation.

Have a productive and healthy fall 2009, and thank you for proactively addressing the issues discussed in this message.

Sincerely,
Nancy Barrett, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Information on the Wayne State’s response to the flu:
http://fluinfo.wayne.edu

Michigan Department of Community Health:
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_2955_22779_40567-138344--,00.html

Information on the flu from U.S. health officials:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/en/

Campus Health Center (for students)
http://health.wayne.edu/