September 4, 2009
TO: Faculty, Instructional Staff, Department Chairs and Deans
FROM: Raymond W. Alden III Executive Vice President and Provost
SUBJECT: H1N1 and Student Absences
Attached you will find a copy of a statement developed jointly by the Provost's Office and the Faculty Senate. We are circulating this to all faculty, instructional staff and departmental and college offices in anticipation of a possible resurgence of the H1N1 virus. As indicated in the statement, I want to thank all of you in advance for your cooperation and accommodations in making sure we protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students.
Dear Colleagues:
In anticipation of a possible resurgence of the H1N1 virus, the CDC has made recommendations for dealing with outbreaks in order to prevent its spread. These recommendations have been posted via a link on the NIU homepage. Contained within the recommendations for faculty and students is the instruction to stay away from others if the individual is suffering from any of the symptoms described in the notice. Additionally, the "Frequently Asked Questions" section advises faculty and students to stay at their homes, residence halls, or apartments and away from work or class if they become ill with influenza-like symptoms. They are asked to remain at home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Current medical opinion is that this will remit in approximately 3-5 days. The CDC is also recommending that individuals NOT be required to provide medical documentation, which may be inconsistent with standard faculty policy for student illness.
The logic for this latter request is the fear that medical facilities could be overwhelmed by the numbers of individuals seeking medical attention. It is, therefore, in the best interests of both faculty and students to support these recommendations and make provisions that will facilitate their implementation. We strongly urge all instructional staff to make whatever accommodations are reasonable to enable students to keep up with class work from home and to not be penalized with regard to tests and grades for following these guidelines. However, students should be aware that they are still responsible for completing all course requirements as specified by the instructor. Consistent with the medical recommendations, we are further asking faculty to operate on the honor system and not require evidence of medical attention (e.g., doctor's notes). Remember, it is in everyone's best interests for ill students to stay away from the classroom. As always, the course instructor retains the right to determine whether a student has satisfactorily completed the course requirements, as well as the course grade.
We want to thank all of you, in advance, for your cooperation and accommodation. This situation provides all of us with an opportunity to prove once again that NIU is a university that continues to be committed to the health and safety of the faculty, staff and students.
Thank you.