INFECTIOUS AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

About This Policy

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 is 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.

Forms

• There are no forms associated with this policy.

Appendices

• There are no appendices associated with this policy.

Additional Contacts

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.

RELATED INFORMATION

• Academic Continuity Planning

History

Issued
2020-03-11 (as interim)