Memo to faculty

Dec. 14, 2009

Dear Deans, Chairs, Directors and Instructors,

I am writing with respect to flu planning for the spring term. The H1N1 committee has recommended that UVic continue its H1N1 flu policies with respect to encouraging staff and students to remain off campus if they are ill with flu symptoms, and not requiring a medical note for absences from class for periods of two weeks or less.

The reasons for continuing the policy for another term are as follows:

1. The number of H1N1 cases on campus is higher than the usual number of seasonal flu cases at this time of the year. The current number is also greater than we had during the month or two prior to our outbreak in October and November.
2. Historically our time of greatest vulnerability to influenza is from late February through March. We do not know what we will see during this period in the coming term - it could be a resurgence of H1N1 or the seasonal flu could again reassert itself.
3. We believe that our response to date has contributed to blunting the effect of this outbreak, and despite the absence of hard data we appear to be seeing fewer respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses compared to this time in other years. There should, therefore, be fewer than usual concession requests for exams.
4. UVic was certainly one of the first, if not the first, campus to declare that notes would not be needed for short illnesses during this flu season. Similar policy was quickly announced at most institutions across the country, and south of the border as well.

The committee believes that there is risk associated with reversing the policy and then experiencing a resurgence of flu this spring and, thus we have decided it is prudent to continue the policy.

Please contact me if you have questions or concerns. Refer to the university H1N1 website for the most recent information on the flu. The site also includes frequently asked questions and answers for faculty, staff and students.

Thank you for your assistance with implementing the flu policy. Please continue to use and promote steps to reduce spread of infection and stay healthy!

Sincerely,

Katy Mateer
AVP Academic Planning