Email: H1N1 Flu Contingency Plans (Oct. 26, 2009)

To All Instructional Faculty Members:

As you know, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) anticipates a serious outbreak of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) this fall. Vice President Bennett and I have provided the VCU community with information about prevention, recognizing symptoms and minimizing the spread of the virus, and updates will be provided on the VCU Alert page (www.vcu.edu/alert).

As currently recommended by the CDC for all institutions of higher education, VCU will remain open in the event of an outbreak. We recognize, however, that some – and perhaps a significant number – of our students and faculty members may be taken ill during the semester. While the health and safety of our community is our first concern, we are mindful of the need to assure continuity in the learning process, and to provide flexibility in this difficult situation. Accordingly, I am asking that you develop contingency plans that will minimize disruption if you or your students are required to be absent because of illness.

Your contingency plan should address questions such as:

· In the event of a serious flu outbreak, how will you communicate with your students and how will they communicate with you? [One possibility would be through your Blackboard site; another might involve a listserve developed for your class(s); yet another might involve a telephone tree.]

· Since students will be encouraged to isolate themselves and not come to class, how will you adjust your policies regarding missing classes and/or exams? [We do not want to punish students for following the advice of the CDC, but we also understand the need to achieve the learning outcomes of the course. Will you add extra work? Extend deadlines? Work with students in an alternate mode?]

· How will you conduct the class if you are not able to attend for an extended period of time? [You might have a colleague who can cover for you. You might be able to conduct the class for a short time online, or you might have prepared some independent work for the students to accomplish.]

The VCU Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) has posted resources for such contingency planning on our website for your convenience (http://www.vcu.edu/cte/resources/H1N1.htm).

I hope that you will share your contingency plans with your colleagues, department chairs and deans, and with me. As promising strategies come my way, I will be sure to share them with you.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and best wishes for a healthy and successful academic year.

Stephen D. Gottfredson
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

CC: President Rao
Vice Presidents Bennett, Gehring, Macrina, Messmer, Retchin and Wyeth