Swine Flu (H1N1) Information
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
The vice president for Student Services will serve as the campus pandemic coordinator. A Pandemic Response Team will be established and will include a minimum of the following campus personnel:
- Director of Public Safety
- Assistant Vice President for Plant Operations
- Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Registrar/Director of Admissions
- Director of Public Relations
- Chair of Nursing Department
- Director of Athletics
- Director of Information Technology Services
- Resident Life/Housing Director
Each member of the response team will be responsible for preparedness, response and recovery planning for their respective areas. The Pandemic Coordinator will serve as the primary contact with the ASU Crisis Management Team.
Depending on the severity of an outbreak and the areas affected by the outbreak, the following scenarios will be included:
- The associate vice president for Academic Affairs, the director of Athletics and the director of Public Relations will respond to situations where classes, athletic events, and/or public events will need to be cancelled. The vice president for Student Services will assist with communication to students regarding the cancellation of classes.
- The assistant vice president for Plant Operations, director of Public Safety, director of Public Relations, and director of IT Services will respond to the need for closing buildings if the cancellation of classes and events is required.
- The director of IT Services and director of Public Relations will be responsible for disseminating information to both the campus community and surrounding community regarding cancellation of classes and closure of campus.
- The Resident Life/Housing director, vice president for Student Services, and director of Public Safety will evacuate student housing. A contingency plan will include quarantining at least one building, if possible, for international students and out-of-state students who may not be able to return home. If there is no area of student housing that can be used the University will seek hotel options in the Augusta area. If pandemic effects the city of Augusta, ASU will partner with Georgia College and State University to house students affected.
- The Pandemic Coordinator and director of Public Relations will work with the local health department and hospitals for vaccinations, and/or other resources that may be needed during an influenza pandemic.
- The assistant vice president for Plant Operations will implement infections control procedures to attempt to limit the spread of influenza and protect faculty, staff and students from such infectious diseases.
- The chair of the Department of Nursing will encourage the campus community to get an annual influenza vaccine. If possible, the Nursing Department may be able to administer the vaccine on campus.
- The Pandemic Coordinator will work with the vice president of Business Operations and vice president for Academic Affairs to establish sick leave policies for employees and students who become ill. When an employee or student develops symptoms that are suspected pandemic influenza they should not remain on campus and should not return to campus until after their symptoms resolve and they are physically able to return.
The Pandemic Response Team will work regularly with the ASU Crisis Management Team to ensure readiness for an influenza pandemic. They will anticipate and plan communications to address the potential fear and anxiety of the campus community that may occur from rumors and misinformation. A link will be added to the University website with information and resources related to the influenza pandemic.