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Message to all Faculty, Staff and Students
From IU President Michael A. McRobbie
May 1, 2009
Since last Sunday (April 26) when the federal government declared
a public health emergency in response to the outbreak of Influenza
A (H1N1) in the United States, key members of my administration
have been working to ensure that Indiana University is taking every
precaution to protect students and employees on all eight campuses
from unnecessary risks.
Today, I am writing to report on what we have done so far and
what other actions you might anticipate should the situation worsen
in Indiana or any of our students or employees test positive for
infection with Influenza A (H1N1).
I have activated the University Emergency Planning Committee,
whose members have expertise in all areas of crisis management,
and this group has been meeting daily to assess and monitor the
health threat to our campuses and make recommendations on protective
responses. The committee is co-chaired by Paul Sullivan, deputy
vice president for administration, and Mark Bruhn, associate vice
president for information and infrastructure assurance.
Two physicians are serving on the committee -- Dr. Diana Ebling,
medical director of the IU Bloomington Health Center, and Dr. Stephen
Wintermeyer, director of IUPUI Health Services. They are maintaining
daily contact with local and state public health officials on the
situation, and all campuses are closely monitoring their student
and employee populations for signs of flu infection.
To date, we have seen no suspected or confirmed cases of infection
among IU students, faculty, or staff. However, I urge all IU students
and employees to stay informed by regularly looking at our Emergency
Preparedness Web site, www.indianauniversity.info .
Well-informed and aware students and staff can aid our efforts
to protect the University and the community.
This site is updated several times daily with announcements and
status reports for each campus, and you will also find convenient
links to all major state and federal sources of information about
the spread of this virus.
Given the global nature of the influenza A (H1N1) outbreaks, we
are monitoring conditions in all foreign countries where IU students
and faculty are known to be taking part in study-abroad programs.
On Wednesday (April 29), Vice President for International Affairs
Patrick O'Meara suspended all IU summer 2009 study programs in
Mexico because of the increased health risks associated with the
influenza outbreak there. The decision, which was in keeping with
travel advisories issues by both the State Department and Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, will affect some 50 to 60 students
at IU Bloomington, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis,
and IU South Bend, as well about 20 high school students.
Given all that we know about the spread of the virus today, I
believe it was a wise and responsible decision.
In the days to come, we may be faced with some more difficult
decisions. As we reach the end of the spring term, we are preparing
for a large number of visitors coming to our campuses for commencement
events.
As of today, there is no reason to consider curtailing any of
these activities, but that situation could change if the state
should suddenly experience a significant outbreak of flu infections.
Should that happen, I will carefully weigh the guidance from state
health officials -- and especially the recommendations of our own
medical experts -- before deciding on how to proceed. If any changes
are made, we will use all available means, including the IU-Notify
system, to inform students and their families as quickly as we
can.
In the meantime, I have already made one decision that will visibly
change our traditional commencement ceremonies.
In keeping with Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Judith Monroe's
recommendation to minimize contact that results from shaking hands,
I have directed that all campuses eliminate the shaking of hands
as graduating students are recognized and called across the stage.
An explanation will be incorporated into commencement scripts and
programs so that all members of the audience are aware of this
change.
It is important to remember that the current situation in Indiana
falls well short of a crisis. We need to be careful and watchful,
but on the other hand we should not overreact. Safety is our number
one concern, which is why we will continue to intensively monitor
the situation until it is resolved.
Yours sincerely,
Michael A. McRobbie,
President
Message from IU President Michael McRobbie on the
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
April 27, 2009
Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie today directed
that all IU campuses begin taking precautions to prevent or limit
the outbreak of swine flu among students, faculty or staff.
The preparations include heightened monitoring of the situation
by medical personnel and the issuance of guidance on how people
can prevent the spread of the flu virus and what they should do
if they experience flu-like symptoms.
"We will be intensively monitoring all our campuses for any evidence
of an outbreak, and we will be closely in touch with state and
federal health agencies for updated guidance on the situation," said
Diana Ebling, M.D., medical director of the IU Health Center in
Bloomington.
Ebling said that so far IU medical personnel have seen no evidence
of flu infections among students, faculty or staff. She added that
no swine flu cases are known to be in Indiana; however, one case
has been confirmed in Ohio.
Students are being urged to make an extra effort to follow common
infection control measures, including frequent hand washing and
shielding others from a cough by using tissue, a handkerchief or
sleeve.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to other seasonal influenza
illnesses. They include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches and,
occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.
Students at the IU Bloomington and IUPUI campuses experiencing
flu-like symptoms are urged to immediately visit their campus health
center for evaluation. Students at regional campuses are urged
to visit their campus wellness centers, if available, or seek treatment
from their primary care providers.
IU employees have been told that if they experience symptoms consistent
with the flu, they should stay home and minimize contact with other
people.
IU has been actively preparing for the potential of a pandemic
or another campus emergency for a number of years. In keeping with
that plan, McRobbie activated the University Emergency Preparedness
Committee (UEPC) and directed it to take immediate responsibility
for whatever planning or response is needed to the swine flu outbreak.
Although the swine flu has not been declared a pandemic, the university
takes seriously all threats and has plans and procedures in place
to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and
staff, as well as members of the local community.
Detailed information about swine flu and IU's response to the
situation can be found at the university's Emergency Preparedness
Web site, which is located at http://www.indianauniversity.info .
The site will be regularly updated as any additional information
becomes available.
Information will also be available at the following Web sites:
IU Health Center Bloomington: http://www.indiana.edu/~health/
IUPUI Health Services: http://health.iupui.edu/index.html
IU Bloomington: http://www.iub.edu/~prepare/flu.shtml
If you have a specific (non emergency) question regarding your
personal safety and security, send an e-mail to preparen@iun.edu. |
