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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Emergency Preparedness

Faculty/Staff Information

A Message from the Provost:


To:                   RIT faculty

From:              Jeremy Haefner, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Subject:           Instructional continuity for the remaining academic calendar

Date:                January 5, 2009

While RIT weathered the flu-like outbreak well last year, there was cause for concern. Towards the end of the fall quarter, the Student Health Center was reporting, on average, well over 100 visits per week by students with flu-like symptoms. Moreover, the symptoms appeared to be more intense than first thought. Recent media reports indicate that we should expect additional ‘rounds’ of flu-like symptoms for the remaining winter months. H1N1, for example, is expected to make another come-back on college campuses and we are encouraged to obtain appropriate inoculations. Information on the January 8 vaccine clinic is available at http://www.rit.edu/news/misc/swine_flu/vaccine.html.

As I did in the fall, I ask that you make appropriate plans for instructional continuity. I also want you to be aware of the resources that are available to you from the Wallace Center. As you have these discussions and make plans, please keep the following in mind:

  1. Syllabi should include sufficient information about assignments and other learning activities to allow students to engage in a period of self-study, as needed. Let students know in writing that under certain circumstances, you may have to alter course requirements, assignment deadlines, and grading procedures; and the university may have to alter the quarter calendar.

  2. Review your attendance policy, and consider how you might modify it to help students who are unable to attend class to meet the course requirements without penalty. It is likely that students will not have medical verification.

  3. You will need an alternative means—probably electronic—of communicating with students, and for receiving and returning student assignments. Our course management system, myCourses, is specially designed for communication outside the classroom or campus. Teaching, Learning & Scholarship Services (TLSS) has produced a new resource, Faculty Quick Start Guide: Preparing a Continuity of Instruction Plan, that offers a step-by-step process for learning myCourses and rethinking what you do in the classroom (lecture, discussion, small-group activities, etc.) for possible online/distance delivery. If you would like assistance with myCourses or in developing a continuity of instruction plan for each course you teach, consult the list below and contact your assigned TLSS instructional liaison:

    CAST: Jessica Hooper (5-7696, jrhetc@rit.edu)
    SCOB: Rob Fain (5-7806, rjfetc@rit.edu)
    GCCIS: Katie McDonald (5-7657, kametc@rit.edu)
    COE: Sarah Cass (5-6326, sarah.cass@rit.edu)
    CIAS: Michael Starenko (5-5035, mssetc@rit.edu)
    COLA: Michael Starenko (5-5035, mssetc@rit.edu)
    NTID: Sarah Cass (5-6326, sarah.cass@rit.edu)
    COS: Marybeth Koon (5-5179, mjmetc@rit.edu)

  4. Have a plan for communicating with other individuals who support student learning, e.g., your department chair, internship supervisors, graduate assistants, laboratory technicians, student advisors, etc.

  5. For current information from RIT on the H1N1, log on to RIT’s website – www.rit.edu - for information and guidance.

In the event of a significant H1N1 outbreak that impacts the academic delivery of courses, the campus will turn to department chairs for their leadership in managing these issues. As a result, I strongly encourage each department chair to discuss this memorandum with faculty members at a department meeting within the very near future, and develop plans that address these issues and insure the continuity of the academic mission. Department chairs should ensure that part-time faculty members have the opportunity to review and ask questions about this memorandum, as well. Of course, the support of the faculty for the efforts of the chairs on this matter is greatly appreciated.

Further information about the H1N1 and seasonal flu can be found at http://www.rit.edu/h1n1. Information on other emergency situations or closures as well as plans for responding to emergencies, can be found at http://emergency.rit.edu/.

Thank you for your cooperation in this important effort.

Jeremy Haefner

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs