Letter from Provost Carol Simpson to ODU Faculty Regarding CDC Policies Relating to Class Absence Policies Because of H1N1

Friday, August 28, 2009

Letter from Provost Carol Simpson to ODU Faculty Regarding CDC Policies Relating to Class Absence Policies Because of H1N1

Dear ODU Faculty,

As the seasonal influenza season arrives and is amplified by the H1N1 (aka „swine flu‟) virus strain, there are some important recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that I need to bring to your attention. Please note that these are matters of Public Health and that the University and all students, faculty, and staff are asked to comply with the CDC‟s recommendations.

The current CDC Policy Guidance for H1N1 for the Higher Education Community includes the following:

"If possible, residential students with flu-like illness who live relatively close to campus should return to their home to keep from making others sick."

"Do not require a doctor‟s note to confirm illness or recovery."

"Consider altering policies on missed classes and examinations and late assignments so that students‟ academic concerns do not prevent them from staying home when ill or prompt them to return to class or take examinations while still symptomatic and potentially infectious."

These recommendations may require some revisions to your usual policies on absences and late assignments.

Dr. Walker-Johnson, Dean of Students, has indicated that Student Health Services will provide a note for those students who are recommended to miss class, miss work, or go home.

*I ask that you accept the Health Services notification as an acceptable indication that the student was genuinely sick and that you do not insist on a more formal doctor‟s note. It may not be possible for students to access an off-campus doctor if there is a major epidemic.

*Please have make-up examinations available for students who are genuinely sick at the time of scheduled examinations, even if it has been your policy not to provide make-up exams in the past. Similarly, please permit students to hand in late assignments without penalty if they have been sick, especially if they have a Health Services or doctor‟s note.

If there is a serious outbreak affecting large numbers of students, the campus may be required to close for several days. Student Health Services will notify the campus if there is any likelihood of closure.

I recommend the CDC‟s website for an overview of the H1N1 risks and what you can do to protect yourself and your family: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

Please also monitor the ODU web site http://www.odu.edu for additional updates and information specific to the Old Dominion University community.

With best wishes for a healthy semester!

Carol Simpson

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs