FAQ for SAS faculty
1. What can I do now to prepare for the possibility that many of my students may be sick this semester?
It might be helpful to review your syllabus and make plans to help students keep up with their coursework if they have to miss class. Be sure to let students know where they can look for updates in case you make changes to your course plans, whether it be on Blackboard, a class website, or via a class e-mail list. Blackboard makes it easy to communicate with your students, distribute readings, post or collect assignments, and perform other tasks online. Please visit http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/teaching_resources/flu for more information about how you can use Blackboard and other technologies for your class.
The University, on the recommendation of public health officials, is advising students that if they are sick they should not attend class until 24 hours after their fever has subsided. This means that they could miss two or three class sessions if they get the flu. If this happens to a large number of students, it may become difficult to manage on a case-by-case basis. You may want to think in advance about how you will handle late assignments or missed exams, and make those policies clear to your students so that they know what to expect.
Please be sensitive and creative in responding to students who become ill, and consider developing alternative ways that students can participate electronically if they feel well enough. The School of Arts and Sciences has several resources that instructors can use to develop online discussions or forums. For more information about electronic resources that you can use to carry out some course functions remotely, see http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/teaching_resources/flu. Some instructors are also encouraging students to form a "buddy system" so that if they have to miss class, there is someone they can contact to get the notes.
2. What should I do if my students are sick?
If an undergraduate College student contacts you to let you know that they are sick and will miss class, please let them know that they should also contact the College office at (215) 898-6341 or casenet@college.sas.upenn.edu. If you have a question about a specific College student, you may contact that office as well.
Graduate students should contact their instructors first and, in case of a prolonged illness, their graduate chair or program director.
Students in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) should contact their instructors first and also notify LPS at lps@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 898-7326.
Students participating in international programs may have specific issues. For information or questions about Penn-sponsored international programs, please visit the Office of International Programs webpage: www.upenn.edu/oip or call 215-898-9073.
In establishing policies for attendance, late assignments, etc., please bear in mind that Penn is following the recommendation of public health officials in encouraging individuals who are sick to self-isolate if they have symptoms of H1N1 influenza. Students who are sick should not be penalized for following this recommendation.
For updates and frequently asked questions related to flu planning and preparation at Penn, visit www.upenn.edu/flu .
3. What should I do if I am sick?
If you yourself are sick, you are advised not to go to class, work, or other public places until you are fever-free for more than 24 hours.
Contact your department or program to let them know that you are sick, particularly if you will be unable to meet your classes or perform other essential academic functions. Instructors in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) should notify LPS directly at lps@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 898-7326.
If you must cancel classes, please communicate with your students as quickly as possible. Faculty have many options for communicating with their classes electronically; a list of the options for mass e-mail can be found at http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/teaching_resources/flu.
In planning for the upcoming semester, you may want to think about what might happen if you have to miss some class sessions due to your own illness. It might be possible to plan with another instructor to step in for a lecture or two if needed, or to plan alternative activities for your students in the event that you cannot come in to teach.
4. What can I do now to prepare for the potential impact on my research activities?
Please ensure that your laboratories and offices are prepared for the potential impact of faculty and staff absences on your research activities. For example, you may want to ensure that individuals are cross-trained to be able to perform one another's functions, so that no critical task goes undone due to a staff absence. Update any home and cell phone lists you may have, so that people can contact one another if necessary. If there are staff who can conduct their work remotely, make sure they are set up to do so. These are just suggestions; only you know what may need to be done in order to ensure that your research is not interrupted, but the key is to think about these issues in advance.