Frequently Asked Questions about H1N1 and Its Impact on Marylhurst

If Marylhurst decides to cancel classes or close campus, how will people be notified?

Marylhurst will use several tools to alert faculty, students and staff in the unlikely event classes or campus activities are affected due to concerns about H1N1 flu. You will receive information via:

The Inclement Weather phone line at 503.636.8140
The home page of the Marylhurst Web site at www.marylhurst.edu
Email (all-staff email, adjunct faculty g-mail accounts, and email to students using Jenzabar database)
Academic department phone trees

Marylhurst also will alert key media outlets in the case of a campus closure.

If Marylhurst decides to close the campus, will some employees be allowed on campus?

If the President decides to close Marylhurst due to H1N1 flu concerns, no one should report to work on campus unless explicitly told to do so by his/her supervisor.

What should I do if a member of my household has flu-like symptoms or if my child’s school is closed due to H1N1 flu concerns?

If you think you or a member of your family may have been exposed to the H1N1flu virus, please contact your supervisor before reporting to work.

A reminder: The human symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to regular seasonal influenza and include:

Fever
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Coughing
Shortness of breath

Some people with H1N1 flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Will I be required to use sick leave or vacation time if the campus shuts down due to H1N1 flu concerns?

If the campus is closed, regular employees will be able to count work time spent away from the office as regular paid time (just as you were able to do when the campus closed due to weather conditions in December 2008).

If the campus remains open but you need to stay home because you or someone in your family has flu-like symptoms, your child’s school has been closed, or some other flu-related issue has arisen, you may use either sick or vacation leave to cover your time away.

If the campus were to close, how long would the closure last?

In the case of an outbreak threatening the campus, Marylhurst would keep the campus closed long enough to follow procedures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that ensure the campus is clean and safe to reopen. There is no specific timeline that would drive that decision – it would be based on safety only.

How will we accommodate students if we have to cancel some of their classes due to a campus closure?

The Provost will work with each department chair to determine how class cancellations will be handled. Decisions such as whether time/classes will be made up or whether the term will be shortened will be made based on the severity of the situation and the length of the campus closure.

Important personal hygiene reminders:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze; alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective
Try to avoid close contact with sick people
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs easily spread that way

For more information about H1N1 flu and its status in Oregon and the United States.:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

State of Oregon Public Health Division
http://www.flu.oregon.gov/