I want to make you
aware of preparations the university is making to minimize the impact of flu and
other contagious diseases this academic year. Particularly, you should be aware
of the message that is going out to both students and parents today. The new
challenges presented by the H1N1 influenza virus may require some change in both
how you deal with student absenteeism (due to illness) and how you prepare to
have your class move forward in your absence should you become ill. At this
time, we do not know the magnitude of the challenges that we may face, but
updates will be forthcoming as the flu season progresses and the university
coordinates its efforts with state health offices. Currently the Centers for
Disease Control estimates that infection rates may be approximately double those
of normal years (as high as 40 percent). The entire message to students is
attached to this email. One bullet point in that message reads:
“Alert your professors through email or by telephone if you have the flu or are
showing signs of the flu. You should not come to class ill, since your
attendance will risk further spread of a serious virus. Communicate with your
professors the seriousness of your illness and discuss ways you can submit work
and make up any missed work without attending class.”
Given that message, you should structure your syllabi and course policies to
align with this challenge. Consequently, we suggest that you consider
implementing some of the following:
- Use course
attendance policies that allow for the possibility of unusually high rates
of student absenteeism.
- Insert a
disclaimer in your syllabi that allows for changes mid-semester in deadlines
and policies if circumstances warrant.
- Facilitate
distribution of student contact information (email addresses, cell phone
numbers) to enable students to share class notes and daily information with
ill students.
- Employ
appropriate ways for ill students to submit work and keep up with lecture
material, handouts, and other activities.
Contrary to what
most of us have done in the past, this year we are asking you not come to class
while ill. This flu may force you to miss several class periods. Create a plan
for the semester of how your absence could be covered and discuss or share that
plan with your department chair. This plan may include the use of colleagues or
graduate students or alternative teaching methods and class activities.
We appreciate your willingness to implement course policies for the best welfare
of our students and your colleagues.
For more information about the flu, please visit
http://www.flu.gov or
http://flu.byu.edu, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).
Best wishes,
John S. Tanner
Academic Vice President
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