Message to deans, directors and chairpersons
from Vice President Pat Clubb
Colleagues:
On April 25 an e-mail message was sent notifying the campus that a task
force on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had been formed. The
message pointed members of our community to the SARS
Response Web site the university developed specifically for updates
on this worldwide health concern.
In this earlier communication, the SARS task force pledged to keep you
updated on the SARS situation and its potential effect on this campus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is developing guidelines
for colleges and universities with regard to the disease. This information
will be provided to you as soon as it becomes available.
In the interim, the International Office and University Health Services
have developed messages to distribute to new and continuing international
students providing CDC travel guidelines about SARS and self-monitoring
advice. Information about the disease, symptoms and instructions on whom
to contact at the university if you become ill is included in this communication.
Many of you have expressed concern with conferences and special events
on campus scheduled for the coming months. At this time, the CDC is not
recommending canceling conferences and events or quarantining individuals
arriving from the affected SARS areas. As of this date China; Hong Kong;
Singapore; Taiwan; and Toronto, Canada, are included in the CDC’s
list of areas with SARS travel alerts or advisories. You may access the
most current travel information at SARS
Information for Travelers on the CDC Web site.
The task force recommends that conference and special event coordinators
notify their deans of activities with the potential for attracting individuals
traveling from SARS affected areas. We believe it prudent to be aware
of these events should CDC guidelines change and require notification
from the university to the travelers. This template
letter to event attendees explaining CDC travel guidelines and self-monitoring
advice is for your use should you deem it appropriate.
Your attention to this health concern is greatly appreciated. Should
you have questions, please feel free to contact Joe Powell or me at 512-232-7747.
Pat Clubb, Ph.D.
Vice President for Employee and Campus Services
|
