Gator Times

The University of Florida encourages students to follow the CDC recommendations regarding H1N1. The CDC recommends that people with H1N1 or influenza-like illness remai at home at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Because most cases of H1N1 do not require medical attention, students may miss class due to illness, but not have the appropriate medical documentation. Faculty have been asked to be flexible with those students who have followed these guidelines and chosen to remain at home even if they do not have the proper medical documentation. Please be advised of the following recommendations and policies regarding class attendance, assignments and the H1N1 virus:

STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Students with fever should not attend class and should remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever.

POLICY ON MAKING UP WORK
It is the policy of the university that students who have been ill should be afforded the opportunity to make up work that they have missed due to their illness.  While most faculty members have adopted standard procedures for such situations, the anticipated volume of students who may contract swine flu may challenge normal course logistics.  Faculty may wish to consider modifying their normal procedures to deal with the possibility that 25% to 40% of students may be ill at some point during the fall semester.

TEACHING CONTINUITY
In order to assist with delivery of instruction under these circumstances, the University is providing a number of asynchronous options for faculty and students. These options include, E-Learning, Mediasite, Elluminate and other tools and contacts that can contribute to teaching continuity. Faculty are encouraged to use these tools, where applicable.