Swine Flu Will Excuse You

YPSILANTI, Mich.-Since the first reports of H1N1 swine flu back in April 2009, the world has been increasingly transfixed by the outbreak of a highly contagious and potentially lethal new type of influenza. According to the World Health Organization, swine flu has the potential for becoming a worldwide epidemic. It has urged national public health systems to be vigilant and watch out for flu outbreaks in demographic groups ranging from 25-45 years of age. This type of influenza is killing those who are in their prime unlike the common influenza virus. Closely associated with the age group, targeted by H1N1 swine flu, are college campuses. The rapid exchange of this highly contagious influenza between people, has urged Eastern Michigan University to look for ways to best accommodate its students.

Gregory A. Peoples, the Ombudsman at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is in charge of advocating for fair processes and fair administration on behalf of students. Peoples position as Ombudsman also stands as the mediator of conflict between staff and students. “A bushel of students visited (the office) in late September(2009) requesting that there be a way for ill students to be excused from classes due to flu-like illness.” said Peoples. Along with their argument, Peoples said, “students presented information that explained how a continuous spread of illness would occur due to students being afraid of missing class, which could result in failure of that class.” The administration implemented the (absenteeism) policy due to the information presented.

EMU has begun a new absenteeism policy to help stop the spread of illness on the campus of the university. The professors’, written publications and my.emich e-mail have instructed students who believe they have flu-like symptoms to stay home and away from other people until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have flushed appearance, or are sweating), without the use of fever-reducing medications.
To encourage students with influenza-like illness (ILI) to self-isolate, the university has established the student absenteeism policy that requires faculty to be flexible with attendance and provide accommodation for making up missed assignments and activities should students miss class because of an ILI or H1N1 virus.

Key points of this policy that students need to understand and follow include:

· Reporting absences – If students become ill with H1N1 flu-like symptoms, they should inform their instructors immediately by e-mail that they are ill and ask how to make up missed classes, assignments or exams. Also, either copy or send a separate e-mail to H1N1@emich.edu to report their illness.
· Student responsibilities - Students are responsible for all course requirements, deadlines and exams. They need to arrange with their instructors or classmates to find out what was covered.
· Medical Documentation – Students will not be required to produce a written document from a physician for instructors. If they do have one, they can show it to the instructor(s) if they choose to do so.

Completing Course Requirements – Students with the flu or an ILI must be allowed to make up missed assignments or other course responsibilities without penalty, whenever possible. In some cases, their instructor may be able to substitute another activity or assignment. In situations when it is not academically sound for the instructor to excuse the work or substitute assignments, they should work with their instructor to explore other options.
[To read the complete EMU Academic Affairs H1N1 Extensive Absenteeism Policy, go to http://www.emich.edu/public/aa/h1n1.html]

Eastern Michigan University has continued to monitor the H1N1 flu circumstances on the campus and has created a way to share new information on EMU’s swine flu Web site. It is encouraged for students to support a healthy campus by practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and self-isolation for a flu-like illness.

Criminology major, Kenyatta Williams is a second-year transfer student from Ferris State University. She says she received an informal briefing from her professors in two of her classes about missing class for illness and not being penalized for it. “Although college students are suppose to have integrity and be mature about why they miss class, I feel this policy made it possible for more students to slack off” She said. “I have seen that on cold days a lot of people do not show up and I am most certain it is due to the weather and not swine flu.” when asked if the policy could be beneficial to the campus environment and the health of its students. Williams explains that even though the policy is not fool proof it has made a great effort at keeping those sick students afloat in their classes.

Now, EMU administration has the updates are available to students once they log on to their my.emich accounts under campus announcements.

Keisha Punn, a third- year literature major has read the campus announcement with details about swine flu. Punn has concerns about not being able to determine if her symptoms are regular cold or flu-like symptoms. “I am 21 and I do not have any health insurance,” Punn said. “Too many times, have I gone to Snow_(Health Center) and they tell me drink plenty of fluids and get some rest and if it worsens come back and charge me $50 for it.”

Professor Judy Sturgis-Hill has been at Eastern Michigan University for quite some time as both a student and professor. She currently is a Communications professor. “With as many people that have contracted the H1N1 virus, we know that just as many people have not contracted H1N1.” She said, “I am a bit unsatisfied with the burden the new policy puts on professor like myself, but I appreciate the attempt to keep a clean environment for me to teach in.” She continues with "I guess if students ever feel the need to have to miss class for whatever reason Swine flu will excuse you."

Additional Facts About H1N1

H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, plus avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

H1N1 flu is contagious. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person, in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

H1N1 flu is NOT caused by eating pork or pork products: H1N1 flu is not a food borne disease, it is a respiratory disease. The USDA continues to remind consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked.

Illness with the new H1N1 flu virus has ranged from mild to severe While the vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 flu have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred

About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 flu have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the “high risk” category for serious seasonal flu-related complications. These include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma and kidney disease.

Seniors (adults 65 years and older) are prioritized for antiviral treatment to limit risk of complication if they get flu. While your age means you have a lower risk of getting the flu, certain risk conditions (COPD, diabetes, etc.) mean if you get sick, you may have higher risk of complications from any influenza.

Get More Facts at: http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/h1n1/index.html