Services
H1N1 Flu

H1N1 Preparedness Letter to USG Community

September 1, 2009: Download PDF

  • The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) response to an H1N1 occurrence flu will be managed by the Incident Response Team (IRT). The IRT will meet as needed as issues unfold. The IRT will provide guidance in accord with the CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year. [ http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/]

  • The Director of Student and Academic Services, will be the primary contact with the Montgomery County health officials, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). UMCP's Director of the University Health Center will be consulted with for issues related to this and all other health emergencies, including contact with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

  • The campus will rely on the University homepage and text message system to post regular updates on campus conditions. Please visit the following page if you are interested in enrolling in the USG e2campus alert system, http://www.shadygrove.umd.edu/alerts. The University has existing communications resources that can be mobilized for quick response as necessary. The Director of Marketing and Communications will be responsible for utilizing media relations as additional means of communicating with all USG constituencies.

  • USG is a multi-institutional campus and as such must communicate with all partners, including the 9 University System of Maryland (USM) institutions, USM Administration, Montgomery College and the Montgomery County Public School system that offer classes at the campus, as well as, conference clients on a case-by-case basis. A communication tree will be developed by the IRT.

Prevention

  • Have hand sanitizer dispensers in all buildings near the main entrances, library, café and conference center.
  • Encourage faculty, staff and students to carry their own hand sanitizer and make available for purchase at campus book store.
  • Maximize the number of people vaccinated for the seasonal flu. USG will work with the Montgomery County Health Department and UMB's School of Nursing to provide flu shots onsite at USG, as possible.
  • Have high-touch water fountains, bathrooms and doorknobs cleaned with the recommended appropriate cleaning supplies periodically throughout the day.

Education

  • Provide educational posters relating to hygiene (e.g., hand washing, cough etiquette) for public spaces frequented by large numbers of faculty, staff and students. Provide fact sheet on flu prevention strategies to USG community via the website and letter from Executive Director.
  • During the fall semester, work with partner campuses to have peer educators at display tables by the USG Café to distribute hygiene information and answer questions.
  • Send an e-mail message in September to faculty, staff and students from the Executive Director encouraging them to be careful, practice good hygiene and stay home when they think they are ill with flu.
  • Put a link on our home page that directs you to information on USG's Public Safety page.

Continuation of Service

  • Encourage faculty and staff from USG and all participating institutions to take precautions to stay well, but also encourage them to have back up plans for covering their classes/essential job duties should they become ill.
  • Encourage participating institutions to have their faculty consider how they can adapt their courses if large numbers of students are sick, including how attendance policies might be adjusted should significant numbers of students become ill and consider whether and/or how students can make up missed classes, assignments, and exams.
  • Encourage participating institutions to have their faculty establish class e-mail listservs so they can communicate consistent messages. Online teaching platforms, alternate forms of instruction and contact (e.g., WebCT, blogs, podcasts, conference calls, etc.) should be pursued where feasible. USG technology staff currently support these technologies and will provide additional assistance as necessary.
  • Be prepared to implement a "social distancing" protocol that allows only classes and essential group gatherings.
  • Have all units consider how they will function/provide services with fewer staff, noting restrictions of hours and service levels if necessary.

Treatment

  • USG does not have an onsite health center. As such, all individuals utilizing the campus should seek treatment from their individual health providers.
  • Make available surgical masks as appropriate to the campus community.

Additional Resources

Contacts

Robyn Dinicola-Wagle
Director of Student and Academic Services
Phone: 301.738.6073
E-mail: rdwagle@umd.edu

Paul Dillon
Campus Security Consultant
Cell: 301-518-4909
E-mail: dillon@umd.edu

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