CLASS: ENGL 1101 and 1103
NOTE: This contingency plan is an addendum to your syllabus and therefore is a legal document.
In the event of a severe H1N1 (“swine”) or seasonal influenza outbreak this semester, I am activating a contingency plan for our class so that you can continue your work and complete the course. The H1N1 flu could become widespread beginning in late October. This may impact our class activities, especially our workshops. Thus, we need to plan now for the possibility that we could experience excessive absenteeism. The flu typically lasts 7-10 days. However, other steps may be needed as well. Let me know immediately (via email: hcricken@uncc.edu) if you have come down with the flu (or ask a parent or friend to notify me). Below are key points in our contingency plan:
• In the event of a serious flu outbreak, my primary goal is to provide as much continuity for our class as possible. I will do my part to help you complete the course, but I need your full cooperation, too.
• I will make announcements via our class website of any key changes to our class activities or assignments so that you may keep posted about due dates, etc.
• If you develop flu symptoms (fever, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), do not come to class. Contact your doctor or the Student Health Service (but do not go there) and do not expose others to your illness. Follow the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations about staying home until at least 24 hours after fever and other symptoms have ended. See recommendations for preventing the flu at:
http://pandemicflu.gov/professional/school/studentfactsheet.html http://pandemicflu.gov/professional/school/ifyouaresick.html
• You may continue to turn in work on-time via email (hcricken@uncc.edu) while you are sick, and I am also open to offering extensions for major projects in the case that you are too ill to work from home.
• Depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long your illness lasts, I will allow some leniency on attendance. Currently, you are allowed four absences; please save them for when you really need them. However, in the event of a severe illness that lasts longer than usual, I will adjust the attendance policy if needed.
• In the event that I become ill, I will email you as soon as possible about plans for class. I may arrange a substitute instructor or provide you with online activities or assignments to complete. Check the web site (www.thelemming.com) for announcements, changes to the calendar and telecommuting instructions.
• In general, a healthy diet, adequate sleep and healthy exercise can help you stay well. Washing your hands often (and taking as long to do so as one stanza of “Happy Birthday to You”) and getting vaccinated against both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus can be important, too. Please talk to your doctor and family about steps you should take now to prevent getting the flu and what you should do if you become ill. If you do not live at home, arrange to have a friend check on you and bring supplies while you are sick. Planning is important! Please share this information with your family: http://studenthealth.uncc.edu/H1N1_Letter_to_parents.pdf .
• I will have to inform the university administration of any flu-related absences each week. They need to know so that they can assess the impact of the disease at UNC Charlotte.