Planning is now under way to determine how the University will respond to a number of scenarios in which pandemic flu threatens the University community.

University Human Resources has been an active participant in the Pandemic Flu planning process and has assembled human resources policies and practices, as well as common questions and answers relevant to pandemic preparedness and more broadly to disaster preparedness.

The documents, in pdf format, reflect existing policies and are consistent with expectations for the University established by the State of Iowa Code, Board of Regents Merit Rules, collective bargaining agreements, and the UI Operations Manual.

They are:
• Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Human Resources Policies (pdf format) and
• Common Questions and Answers to Human Resources Contingency Planning Issues.
 
Staff and faculty should familiarize themselves with University policies as they currently exist, as well as with other disaster-related materials, in order to be optimally knowledgeable and prepared in the event of a disaster or pandemic.  

If you have questions about the policies, please contact your supervisor or HR Unit Representative, identified on your self service web site.

In the meantime, all UI staff, faculty, and students should begin immediately to make their own plans for what to do in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. Begin now by reading About Pandemic Flu on this web site.

For assistance in creating your own plans, see the Individuals & Families Planning information offered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/index.html