All Policies › Administration & Operations › Infectious and Communicable Disease
Infectious and Communicable Disease
Responsible Office
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Policy Owner
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Policy Contact
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Issued
2020-03-11
Last Revised
2026-10-01
On this page: Policy Statement · Reason for Policy · Policy Scope · Procedures · Frequently Asked Questions · Forms · Appendices · Additional Contacts · Definitions · Responsibilities · Related Information · History
Policy Statement
North Central University will take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of members of the university community during global and local infectious disease events. These may include implementing infection control guidelines designed to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. The university will comply with all applicable federal and state laws in connection with an individual who contracts an infectious disease.
Students, employees, and visitors are encouraged to immediately report information related to the potential occurrence of an infectious disease within the university community.
In the event of an infectious disease in the university community, the university will review and monitor the situation on a case-by-case basis and work with local, state and federal authorities, as necessary, to determine the appropriate course of action.
As permitted by law, the university may take steps to identify and address potential infectious diseases, including but not limited to the following:
- Inquire about an individual’s medical condition.
- Require an individual who has contracted an infectious disease to submit a physician’s statement of health prior to returning to the university, which may include proof of appropriate vaccination.
- Require an individual to submit to an appropriate medical evaluation from a physician of the university’s choosing at the university’s expense.
- Consult with the individual’s physician (with appropriate consent) regarding the infectious disease.
- Consult with a physician designated by the university, and such other persons or resources, including the public health department, to assist in determining the appropriate course of action.
- Institute quarantine or isolation protocol.
- Restrict university-sponsored travel to any location.
- Exclude individuals who are infected or at risk of infection from the classroom, workplace, or other university activities (employees will be subject to the university’s policies, procedures, and other requirements for requesting/receiving benefits and leaves of absence).
- Maintain the confidentiality of and/or disclose the identity and other information regarding the infectious disease as may be required by law.
- Follow guidance or directives from local, state or federal authorities.
- Offer accommodations to employees and students who are displaced from their regularly scheduled university events and/or activities.
- Activate university emergency operations to consider measures such as social distancing, university closure, cleaning procedures, travel monitoring, class suspension, etc.
- Implement other temporary action(s) that are reasonably required to prevent unacceptable risk of exposure until the university is able to consult with a physician or local, state or federal authorities.
Reason for Policy
This policy is intended to prevent the spreading or outbreak of communicable or infectious diseases and will be interpreted and administered in order to protect the health and well-being of the university community.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all university events, employees, students, visitors, and guests.
Procedures
There are no procedures associated with this policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do if I think someone in the university community has an infectious disease?
A: Report the information right away. The university encourages students, employees, and visitors to report any potential infectious disease in the university community.
Q: How does NCU decide what to do during an outbreak?
A: The university reviews each situation case by case and works with local, state, and federal authorities, including the public health department, to choose the right response.
Q: Can NCU ask about my medical condition?
A: Yes, as the law permits. The university may also ask for a physician’s statement before you return, which may include proof of vaccination.
Q: Can NCU keep me from coming to class or work?
A: Yes. The university may exclude people who are infected or at risk of infection from classrooms, workplaces, or other university activities. Employees follow the university’s usual benefit and leave policies.
Q: Who pays if NCU requires a medical evaluation?
A: The university pays when it requires an evaluation from a physician it chooses.
Q: Will NCU keep my information confidential?
A: The university keeps information confidential, or discloses it, as the law requires.
Q: What other steps might NCU take?
A: Steps may include quarantine or isolation, travel restrictions, social distancing, cleaning procedures, class suspension, or university closure.
Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Contact the Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources at 612.343.4412 or hr@northcentral.edu.
Forms
There are no forms associated with this policy.
Appendices
There are no appendices associated with this policy.
Additional Contacts
| Subject Matter | Contact | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Contact | Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources | 612.343.4412 | hr@northcentral.edu |
| Marketing & Communications | Office of Marketing & Communications | 612.343.5005 | communications@northcentral.edu |
| Operations / Safety | Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources | 612.343.4412 | hr@northcentral.edu |
| Academic Affairs | Office of Academic Affairs | 612.343.4400 | academicaffairs@northcentral.edu |
Definitions
Communicable Disease
An infectious disease that is contagious and that can be transmitted either directly or indirectly from one source to another by an infectious agent or its toxins.
Infectious Disease
Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases of animals that can cause disease when transmitted to humans.
Responsibilities
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
- Monitor infectious disease events that affect the university community.
- Coordinate the university’s response with local, state, and federal authorities, including the public health department.
- Activate university emergency operations when needed.
- Communicate guidance to students, employees, and visitors.
President’s Cabinet
- Approve major response measures, such as travel restrictions, class suspension, or university closure.
- Review the university’s response as conditions change.
Related Information
There is no related information associated with this policy.
History
Amended
2026-10-01 – Non-substantive updates (e.g., titles, contacts, and copy errors), removed a broken link, added responsibilities, and added frequently asked questions.
Issued
2020-03-11