Pandemic Planning Assumptions

• A novel influenza virus strain will likely emerge in a country other than the U.S. (possibly the destination of travel), although a strain could first emerge in the U.S.
• With the emergence of a novel strain, it will be the responsibility of the instructor to provide updated instructions to assist students.   

General Pandemic Plan

A.      The syllabus will require students to complete assignments even if the class cannot meet normally. The presumption of this course is that it can be taught on an emergency basis without regular class meetings. What this pandemic plan proposes is based on a precedent for such a case as the pandemic plan. You are instructed to bring all texts and a copy of the syllabus/course schedule home with you in the event of a College Closure. The Academic Calendar will be adjusted upon Reopening; so be prepared for the possibility of a short mini-semester; rescheduled class / exam period; and /or rescheduling of the semester, depending on the length of the Closure.

   School Closing because of a Pandemic Emergency

   In the events leading to Siena College campus closing due to pandemic flu outbreaks, the instructor will email students to instruct them that the pandemic plan is in effect for this course. After the campus closes:

·        If the electronic communications, such as emails and internet, are still available, the instructor will communicate the pandemic plan is in effect for the course.

B.      Online office hours will be used by me in order to maintain contact with my students. You will be able to “check-in” with questions that you have. If you do not have internet access available, I will also provide my home phone number and home address, as needed. Remember, internet, mail delivery, and telephone services may also be impacted by a Pandemic or other emergency event.

   I       If the Siena system remains functional, the instructor and students will use Blackboard for the course. The course will continue through Blackboard, primarily, and with usage of email. Blackboard, email, telephone, and possibly the instructor’s personal Website will be the main venues for the instructor and students to stay in touch.

·        Students will be required to have access to a computer and to check Blackboard and e-mail for class communications from the instructor daily.  

·        The instructor will use the “Announcements” function on Blackboard to post information and for students to communicate with the instructor about the course.

·        The class materials can be downloaded from Blackboard or a designated Web site.

·        Class files can be turned in by uploading to Blackboard, or email, or a designated Website. 

·   Homework assignments can be turned in by uploading to Blackboard, email, or a designated Website.

The instructor will be willing to postpone original deadlines to correspond to the emergency.

Students will be required to own their own copies of texts and to take those texts with them because of the requirement to leave campus, because of a pandemic.

At this state of affairs, if the Siena system remains functional, the instructor and students will use Blackboard as previously indicated for the course. If the electronic communications, such as internet and email, are NOT available, communication, lecture (if necessary), and guidelines will continue through postal mail at whatever point of the course that the emergency is declared.  

·        The class materials will be placed on a CD and will be mailed to the student home address.

·        Files can be turned in by putting them on the same CD and mailing it to the instructor’s home address.