Epidemic / Pandemic Epidemic or pandemic events involve the widespread outbreak of disease and have the potential to create major social, economic, and political turmoil. Examples of epidemics include influenza, meningitis, measles, and pertussis. This Epidemic Response Plan was created to help guide the University during such a crisis, no matter how large the scale or impact. The goal is to provide for the health and safety of the community (students, faculty, and staff).
The Epidemic Response Plan outlines objectives and actions that students, their families, faculty, and staff can expect the University to take, depending on the specifics of an epidemic scenario.
The following characteristics of an epidemic were taken into consideration in the creation of this plan: • Rapid spread: The entire population is considered susceptible. Travel restrictions or bans may not be able to fully prevent spread • Overload of health care systems: Soaring infection rates may strain available medical care facilities and staff • Universal shortage of medical supplies: The need for vaccines and antiviral drugs may outstrip availability, especially early in an epidemic or pandemic. • Economic and social disruption: Travel bans, school and business closings, and cancellations of events could have a major impact on the campus, communities, and citizens. The need to care for sick family members and fear of exposure could result in significant faculty, staff, and student absenteeism and economic slowdown. Academic Affairs The University will implement all officially recommended public health measures to limit the spread of illness and remove obstacles to faculty, staff, and student compliance with recommendations wherever possible. The President and Provost, in communication with the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and local and state public health officials, will: • Develop ways for instruction to continue during interruption in class attendance due to an epidemic emergency • Suspend teaching activities when deemed necessary
In some instances, it may be necessary to close the University and evacuate students.
Closing & Evacuation The primary responsibility of NLU during an epidemic is the safety and well-being of its faculty, staff, and students. The university recognizes that its healthcare resources will be inadequate to care for a large number of individuals during a severe epidemic and will make every effort to suspend operations and enable students to return home before widespread illness occurs. Who Decides to Close the University ? The President will make the decision to suspend University activities, with advice from the Executive Leadership Team, and the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), and local, state, and national health authorities in the case of an epidemic/pandemic. An effort will be made to time the suspension of operations so as to maximize the success of a student evacuation. The U niversity’s decision to suspend operations will be communicated to other area educational institutions, and other area organizations as required, but will be made independently of any decisions made by those organizations.
50
Powered by FlippingBook