A primary planning assumption of Loyalist’s Pandemic Influenza Plan is to protect the academic mission of the College through the continuation of core activities. Teaching is integral to the academic mission, therefore planning must provide for the best possible maintenance of these functions during a pandemic and for a rapid resumption of activities in the event of a total shutdown.
Alternative Methods of Curriculum Delivery
Each School/Division will investigate the possibility of alternate methods of delivering curriculum that would reduce the likelihood of person-to-person contact in the event of a pandemic. Since it is likely that faculty will request such action, each school/division should be prepared to address the issue and provide factual information if the alternate methods are not a possibility.
Requirement for Medical Documentation – Students
45% of those who become ill with influenza will not require medical attention by a physician. As such, it will be unlikely that medical documentation to support an absence will be available. In recognition of this fact, the requirement of current College policy to provide medical documentation to support absences resulting from influenza will be suspended upon declaration of an influenza pandemic.
The College EMC will monitor the issue and amend procedures, if warranted. The EMC will notify Vice President Academic who in turn will be responsible for notifying all their faculty of procedure changes.
Excessive Absenteeism in Class/Lab
While alternate methods of curriculum delivery will be implemented if appropriate in the circumstance, the Program Coordinator/Program Manager, in consultation with the dean will advise faculty to report any instance where excessive student absenteeism in classes or lab exist. The Program Coordinator/Program Manager, in consultation with the dean will determine what action can/should be taken, such as rescheduling or postponement of classes/labs or make-up classes.
Nursing Program
An influenza pandemic will result in some challenges for the nursing programs. Hastings and Prince Edward County Public Health has advised that during a pandemic, quarantine will likely only occur for initial cases. Other scenarios could include hospitals suspending the clinical component of a program during a pandemic.
There has been a preliminary suggestion that nursing students could be utilized by Hastings and Prince Edward County Public Health or by hospitals during a pandemic. While Public Health may ask students to volunteer, the College will not coordinate this activity or recommend such action to students, for liability reasons.
Placement Programs
Departments with placement programs will:
- Maintain communication with placement facilities to ensure the most current information regarding pandemic planning and its potential effect on the nursing program is available. Ensure contact information of nursing program students and employees is available should the need arise. In the event of pandemic; and
- Maintain communications with placement facilities to determine how the pandemic will affect the program, identify issues and propose solutions. Report outbreaks as required to external agencies. Departments will determine how/if the program(s) can continue, should the clinical component be cancelled or student absenteeism becomes problematic. The above will be applicable to any program with clinical, field placements, Cooperative Education, etc.
International Student Department
During a pandemic, media coverage may be sensationalized, which can be alarming to anyone, but especially for those who are not readily able to understand the information. In addition, should the College need to care for ill students, translators may be required.
Departments with international students will:
- In the event of a pandemic, communicate with International students in order to ensure they are receiving relevant information.
- Liaise with the Occupational Health & Safety Department and the Student Success Department providing information regarding translation needs for the purposes of planning communication and educational plans; and
- Ensure International students are aware of current information regarding seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza (if necessary).
Perceived Ill Students/Ill Students
It can be anticipated that students exhibiting symptoms may be present at work/school. In the interest of public health, the following procedure will be followed:
- Students will be advised by faculty/Student Services to seek medical attention from Health Services. Should Health Services staff feel the student may have influenza, the student will leave the campus and stay at home until they are well.
Student’s Responsibilities
All students are asked to remain off-campus and not attend classes if they are showing flu symptoms. They should also contact their Department office.
If a College shutdown has been announced, students are expected to:
- Remain off-campus during the campus shut-down whenever possible.
- Keep in contact with the College through the Main webpage www.loyalistcollege.com to determine the state of alert on the campus and establish when they are to return.
Once a re-opening of the campus has been announced, students are expected to:
- Report to class on the identified day.
- If they are unable to report to class due to quarantine, nursing an infected person, or are ill with the Pandemic Influenza, they can contact their Department office.
Student Recruitment
Student Recruitment will be affected during a pandemic. Applications may decrease and staff with duties within the Student Recruitment, Admissions and Registration Centre may be absent. Liaison with all agencies and school boards may have to be enhanced to maximize applicants. Communication can be varied by sending out more hardcopy materials to agencies and school boards.