1. H1N1 – Swine Flu Faculty Information and Guidelines Sue Opp Chair, Academic Senate 2009

2. A Little H1N1 Background ‘Flu’ is caused by viruses. H1N1 is the name of the virus and is a more appropriate title than ‘swine flu’. It has been called swine flu because testing indicated it was similar to influenza viruses found in some pigs (swine). It turns out to have some swine, some bird, and some human influenza genes.

3. H1N1 Viability on Objects It can remain viable for 2-8 hours But can be killed by heat (close to boiling) And by chemical germicides including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, soap, iodine- based antiseptics, and alcohols The virus may be transmitted when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his eyes, nose or mouth.

4. How can someone tell if they have H1N1 or the seasonal flu? Like seasonal flu, H1N1 can vary in severity from mild to serious to deadly. The symptoms are essentially the same – fever or chills and cough or sore throat. Transmission of both is generally human to human or contact with contaminated surfaces. It’s very hard to tell them apart and doesn’t matter for our purposes!

5. Reducing the Chances of Becoming Ill Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it away Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand cleanser or wipes Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth Avoid close contact with sick people Do not go to campus if you are sick!

6. What should I do if I become ill? Stay home for 24 hours after fever is gone Rest and drink clear fluids Avoid close contact with others Get medical attention from your medical provider if you have: –Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath –Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen –Sudden dizziness or confusion –Severe, persistent vomiting –Symptoms improve but come back worse

7. There is no “one size-fits all” solution for dealing with H1N1. Topics to consider: Attendance as part of class grade Students with family illness Requirement of doctor’s note Make-ups for tests, presentations, assignments, discussions Incompletes, withdrawals, etc. What to do if you are sick

8. Attendance Guidelines Students with symptoms of flu (fever of 100 o F or above and cough or sore throat) should stay home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours Recommendation: Students who are sick should not be penalized for non- attendance.

9. Attendance Guidelines Students with symptoms of flu (fever of 100 o F or above and cough or sore throat) should stay home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours Recommendation: Students who are parents of children not allowed to attend school because of school closure or illness should not be penalized for non-attendance.

10. What if the course objectives may not be met without student attendance? Laboratory activities Discussion groups – consider using Blackboard discussion groups if possible Performances Presentations Certain circumstances may necessitate a student taking an incomplete or withdrawal.

11. Doctor’s Note You may request a doctor’s note to verify illness. Students may go to the Student Health Service to see a doctor. If the SHS finds they are unable to accommodate these requests, they will notify us. Use your best judgment!

12. Make-ups for Missed Work Each faculty member is allowed to develop his/her own policy on make-ups for missed exams, assignments, presentations, etc. We encourage you to be flexible as students should not be coming to class when sick with flu symptoms. Consider alternative assignments or ways to meet course objectives. Remember to clearly indicate your policy in your course syllabus.

13. Incompletes A student may be offered a grade of incomplete if: –A discrete portion of the work remains to be completed. –That work may be completed without needing to retake the course. –The student will be able to pass when the work is completed, i.e., the student may not be failing the course currently.

14. Withdrawals A student may be allowed to withdraw: –Before the end of add/drop by dropping the class online. –After the end of add/drop but before the end of the 7 th week with instructor’s signature indicating approval. –After the 7 th week only by providing verification such as a doctor’s excuse, and with approval of the instructor, chair, and registrar.

15. What to do if YOU are sick! If you have a fever of 100 o F or higher, don’t come to campus! Consider developing assignments and discussions that may be completed online using Blackboard. Inform your Department office so that they may post information for your class. Return only after you have been without a fever for at least 24 hours.

16. Remember: How to Protect Yourself and Your Students Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water! Use waterless hand cleaners/disinfectants containing alcohol, if you can’t use soap and water. Cough into your sleeve or into a tissue that you throw away. Use approved disinfectant wipes to clean keyboards, desks or other surfaces that have multiple users. Avoid close contact with sick people.

17. Should you tell SHS if your students are sick? The Student Health Service may want to begin tracking how many students are sick at a later date. You may want to ask students to email you if they are sick, even if you do not have an attendance policy for class. If suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 occur on campus, we may need to know how many are in certain classes.

18. More H1N1 Questions? Contact Dr. Cathy Coulman, SHS