|
To members of the Northwestern community:
Northwestern officials are concerned about Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) and, in particular, its effect on the University
community. We will continue to monitor the situation and modify
policies and recommendations as conditions warrant. Currently,
we adhere to the policies as provided by the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) and the World
Health Organization (WHO) regarding travel, quarantine,
and clinical care.
Specific points follow:
Outbound: No student will
be permitted to participate in any university sponsored or
affiliated course or program, including but not limited to
study abroad programs, in countries subject to a SARS-related
CDC travel advisory or travel alert. Any student already in
a country when a SARS-related CDC travel advisory or travel
alert goes into effect may be required to return if he/she
is participating in a university sponsored or affiliated course
or program unless doing so would pose a greater risk to the
student's health.
Individual faculty members or graduate students whose teaching
or research activities cannot be postponed but, rather, necessitate
travel to a portion of a country where a SARS-related travel
advisory or travel alert is in effect and any of whose travel/research
costs are paid from a university administered account should
undertake such travel only after the following steps have
been taken:
a. a description of the proposed project has been filed
with the program, department, or school that is funding
the trip and that group has approved the trip based on its
feasibility and importance; additionally, the individual’s
department chair and dean have also approved the trip.
b. the faculty member or graduate student has signed a
waiver indicating that he or she understands the risks involved
in travel to this location and releasing the university
from any liability;
c. the faculty member or student has appropriate health
insurance approved by the Office of Risk Management;
d. evidence of compliance with a., b., and c. is on file
with the Office
of Risk Management
Inbound: In regard to our
own students or faculty who have been in SARS affected areas
or to visitors coming to our campus from such areas, we follow
the guidelines published by the CDC and the WHO. Both agencies
have web sites about risks and policies. The CDC has a very
specific set of guidelines for those facing decisions about
travel and return.
Questions on this statement may be referred to Associate
Provost Stephen Fisher by phone at 491-7040 or by
e-mail.
Lawrence B. Dumas
Provost
|
