Flu.gov

You may also find more information about seasonal and H1N1 flu at http://h1n1.sd.gov.

H1N1 Information

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

As you probably already know, H1N1 flu is the predominant flu virus currently circulating in the United States and in South Dakota. During this flu season, we want to make sure students, faculty, and staff are working together to keep our community safe and healthy and to ensure the academic success of our students. As a consequence, we have put together recommendations that we would like faculty, staff and students to follow as absences become more prevalent.

Most normally healthy people with flu symptoms (fever of 100° or more with cough and/or sore throat) will recover by resting at home and drinking plenty of fluids. Testing and treatment by a medical professional is not necessary. However, the Department of Health does recommend testing for those who are seriously ill or who have other health concerns. Individuals who have severe symptoms, such as very high temperatures, should seek immediate medical care.
Supervisors should review and revise sick leave and absence policies so that workers can stay home when they are ill or caring for an ill family member.
Faculty should review and revise policies on missed classes and examinations and on submission of late assignments, so that students can stay at home when they are ill. Students should not be expected to return to class or to take examinations while they are still symptomatic and potentially infectious.
Faculty, staff or students should not be required to provide a doctor’s note to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities are extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/

Faculty and supervisors are expected to follow the health recommendations listed above. Students should be allowed to make up coursework that was missed due to illness. When that is not practical (as in the case of a graded class discussion or a laboratory activity) or when an alternative activity cannot be substituted, then instructors are encouraged to adjust the grading scheme for an individual student by removing the missed activity from the student’s total points to accommodate student absence.

We have just received notification that the H1N1 vaccinations will be made available to students on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. Any student that wishes to be vaccinated will be able to have it done on this date. I will be forwarding a student information form that you will have to complete should you decide to become vaccinated. As a reminder, the vaccination is completely voluntary and free of charge.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or continue to monitor the H1N1 information link on the DSU website.

Thank you.

Jesse L. Wise, III
Vice President & Dean of Student Affairs