Flu Information

Message to TCNJ Community Regarding Flu Activity

I would like to share with you the following regarding flu activity on college campuses. It is believed that the H1N1 flu virus may substantially increase flu-like activity on college campuses this year, so the following information will be useful during the coming months:

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidelines that may help impede the spread of flu on college campuses. Those guidelines can be found at http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/studentfactsheet.html.
• Most important among their recommendations is that those experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater coupled with sore throat or cough, should self-isolate for at least 24 hours after the fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicines. TCNJ is taking a more conservative approach, sending those with symptoms home until fever has subsided for 24 hours.
• As the CDC has recommended, the College is tracking flu-like activity on campus but is not testing for H1N1. This differs from last spring, when those with flu-like symptoms were tested for H1N1. The CDC has recommended this change because they expect H1N1 activity to be widespread and similar in severity to regular seasonal flu.

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Information for Students

• If you experience flu-like symptoms, please alert your faculty members that you will be unable to attend class, and keep them informed of your status.
• Faculty members have been informed that they should not imply or enforce any penalty for missing class due to illness, nor should they request notes from Student Health Services regarding student illness.
• If the above directives are not observed, please contact the appropriate academic department chair or dean.
• Residential students should return home or to a friend’s or family member’s home at the first sign of  flu-like illness until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
• Non-residential students should self-isolate at home or at a friend’s or family member’s home at the first sign of illness until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.

Information for Faculty

• Faculty members should note the following when dealing with students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, and cough.
• Faculty members should encourage those students to stay out of class until fever has subsided, medication free, for at least 24 hours.
• Faculty members should not imply or enforce any penalty for missing class due to illness.
• Faculty members should NOT request notes from Student Health Services regarding student illness
• It is advised that faculty members make preparations now for implementation of alternative methods of instruction when necessitated due to extended or widespread student absence.

R. Barbara Gitenstein
President
The College of New Jersey