Campus will follow recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and the State and Knox County Health Department in the event of a health crisis. The administration will use campus communication methods to share information about health hazards and the impact they will have on campus operations. Your actions make a difference in controlling the spread of pandemic viruses like the flu.
Community Health and Resilience
Campus monitors disease patterns most likely to be detected in our community to include COVID-19 and Influenza. For the latest information visit the Student Health Center website.
Likely Campus Actions in the Early Stages of a Pandemic
Awareness and training efforts to reinforce key prevention measures and control the spread of disease:
- If you become sick, stay home and avoid contact with others until you’ve been symptom-free for twenty-four hours. A mild, lingering cough may occur and, as long as there are no other flu symptoms, this shouldn’t prevent proceeding with your normal activities.
- Monitor campus updates for information on vaccinations, precautions, and policy/procedure changes that result from a flu/pandemic outbreak on campus.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds—especially before eating and after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough into your shirt sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Do NOT share your food, drink, or utensils with others.
- Avoid close contact with sick people. Onset of symptoms can take up to three days after you’ve been exposed to the virus.
Progression of Campus Actions if the Disease Continues to Spread
The campus will institute other procedures to limit the spread of disease such as:
- Travel restrictions and cancellations based on warnings from the US State Department travel advisory system
- Social distancing procedures which may include restricting face to face meetings in favor of alternate communication means, restrictions on public gatherings, an increase in remote delivery of instruction and telecommuting, and any other procedures that reduce exposure.
- Quarantine and isolation is not a university policy, but may become necessary for persons presenting symptoms who are unable to find alternate accommodations.
- Finally, it may become necessary to suspend campus operations to critical support functions until the threat has passed.