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Home > H1N1 Virus > Information for Faculty and Staff > Student absenteeism due to H1N1 influenza

Student absenteeism due to H1N1 influenza

Message from Provost Satish K. Tripathi

Dear Faculty,

With the beginning of the academic year, the status of H1N1 on campus is being monitored closely. We have implemented a campus emergency response infrastructure so we are prepared in the event of an outbreak of influenza on campus. Regular notices regarding H1N1 influenza will be posted on UB’s home page, on the UB News Services Web site (please see the initial notice) and in the UB Reporter.

As a general guideline, students, faculty and staff with flu-like illness should self-isolate at home or in their residence halls or apartments until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Please consider altering policies on missed classes, examinations and late assignments so that students’ academic concerns do not prevent them from staying home when ill or prompt them to return to class or take examinations while still symptomatic and potentially infectious. Requesting notification of absence prior to the missed class is still appropriate. Of course, students must complete all course requirements in order to receive course credit.

If you have students who come to class and report that they are ill with fever, excuse them from the classroom and instruct them to self-isolate until they are fever-free for 24 hours. Visit the Student Health Services Web site for advice and contact Student Health Services at 829-3316 with any specific medical questions. Click here for a PowerPoint presentation offering additional guidance for those exhibiting severe symptoms.

Please do not require medical documentation from students to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctors’ offices and medical facilities, including UB Student Health Services, will be extremely busy and will not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way. This is consistent with existing UB excuse note policy that can be found at the bottom of the page.

I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

9/3/09