Module 2a: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

H7N9 cases have been confirmed in every state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects the national peak for H7N9 to occur in November. 

Data collected by the American College Health Association show reporting of influenza or influenza-like illness on college campuses spiked in September (running ahead of the nation as a whole) and has been declining in the first half of October. It cautions that some of the decline in reporting may be due to surveillance fatigue on participating campuses. Based on past experience with H1N1, the American College Health Association advises that there may be an additional smaller peak on campuses in November coinciding with the national peak. 

Medical capacity throughout the state and the nation is overtaxed by both the sick and the worried well. Demand for surgical masks and the antiviral Tamiflu is acute, and there are localized shortages. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not recommended, and the state has not required, closure of campuses. The state has discouraged but not prohibited large gatherings. 

However, our university elected to suspend all classes and close its campus to all but essential personnel from Columbus Day (October 13) through the end of Thanksgiving break (November 28). Our university  cited the trauma of multiple deaths in its community, staff and faculty absenteeism of over 25 percent, and a desire to protect students (given that its health and medical capacity was exceeded). This was a very controversial decision for the following reasons: 

• Critics have alleged in both traditional and social media that our university leadership was pressured by parents and, in particular, several key donors. 
• Some have jokingly suggested on social media that this move also spared the university's athletic teams some embarrassment in football, basketball, and hockey. Students on athletic scholarships are not amused and are concerned for their status. 
• There is embarrassing media coverage of the university evicting students from on-campus housing. 
• Faculty and graduate research students also complained on social media about interruption and ruination of their laboratory-based research projects. 
• Although the university developed and announced a plan for completing classwork that involves a combination of tutored self-study and paper-writing during the suspension as well as a reduced winter break, many students and parents are seeking refunds and transfers to other institutions. Some are advocating for a class action lawsuit. 

1. How, if at all, does our institution coordinate suspension and closure decisions, as well as messaging about such decisions, with other institutions and government entities? 
2. Specifically, consider the following questions: 
   1. Does our university partial closing unilaterally create a public information problem for our institution if we keep operating? 
      1. Do you address it head-on or only on an “if-asked” basis? 
      2. What are the elements of your message? 
   2. If our university were to suspend classes or other functions and/or close the campus to all but essential personnel, how would you communicate on (or avoid) the issues that have embarrassed other universities?
      1. Medical or operational justification for the decision? 
      2. Transparency of influence on the process? 
      3. Getting students out of campus housing? 
      4. Completing academic work or compensating students for lost time/instruction? 
      5. Maintaining research? 
      6. Maintaining standing in athletics (rescheduling a sufficient number of games)?