Planning for a Flu Outbreak

The following recommendations are presented as options for instructional faculty to choose from in accordance with their own comfort level and preferences.Whichever combination of approaches you choose is not as important as planning now for how you and your students will continue the learning process in the event of an above-average spread of flu infection or any other emergency. Additional considerations specific to an anticipated H1-N1 outbreak have informed these suggestions:

We all need to plan for greater than usual levels of student absence. It is unlikely, on the other hand, that the Auraria Campus will close unexpectedly.
The CDC is urging individuals with flu-like symptoms to self-isolate at home. To align ourselves with these recommendations, we need to

Let students know that they should stay home, without risk to their grades, if they are sick with flu-like symptoms; and
Consider a flu-related absence as an "excused" absence, even without a doctor's note.

Instructors with flu-like symptoms should likewise not come to work, and, as in all workplaces, we can expect that some faculty will need to stay home to provide care to family members.

Please begin now to plan for how your class will continue under such conditions.

*Steps You Can Take Now*	*What You Can Expect in an Emergency*	*Tips and Suggestions*
1. Establish a course email list and share it with students.	You can email updates, assignments, and information to students. Students who are absent can procure class notes from peers via email.	My Courses in MetroConnect allows you to email your classes.
2. Clearly state course policy regarding absences and make-ups, bearing in mind the need for flexibility.	Hold students responsible for turning in work within the flexible parameters established.	In anticipation of or during an emergency, it is acceptable to alert students to changes to the syllabus even after the semester has begun. Metro email (mscd.edu) is the official means of communication to alert students of any changes.
3. Post syllabus and handouts online. Review often with students the course learning objectives, learning activities, and expectations for assignments.	Students will be able to use the syllabus to continue their learning during their own or the instructor's absence.	My Courses in MetroConnect allows you to post files for students to access online.
4. Take time in class to discuss with students their roles and responsibilities to continue the learning process in case of an extended absence or other disruption.	Students maintain responsibility for remaining in contact, continuing their learning, and completing assignments. Students will be positioned to complete make-up work following a return to class.	Workshops and one-on-one consulting provided by the Center for Faculty Development can provide guidance in developing students skills as self-directed learners.
5. Establish a Blackboard LMS course shell to which instruction can be entirely moved if needed.	Class discussions, group work, presentation of course content, submission of assignments, and testing can continue in the online environment.	An online "Blackboard for in-residence courses" tutorial is available to faculty. The Educational Technology Center provides support for faculty in all aspects of online development as well as open lab hours for faculty to drop by and work on their material.

Links

Health Center at Auraria H1N1 updates: http://www.mscd.edu/healthcenter/health_alerts/
Center for Faculty Development workshop calendar: http://www.mscd.edu/cfd/calendar/
Center for Faculty Development one-on-one instructional consulting: http://www.mscd.edu/cfd/resources/instconsulting.shtml
Blackboard for in-residence courses video tutorial: http://www.mscd.edu/etc/resources/vistasupport/vista_demo/index.shtml
Educational Technology Center open-lab hours: http://www.mscd.edu/etc/lab/schedule.shtml