The need for students to self-report absences due to influenza-like illness (ILI) using the online Student Centre tool will be suspended during the exam period.
The suspension takes place with the end of the last day of classes (Dec. 9).
In an e-mail to students, the university administration says ILI levels are low and stable in London so the need to track flu absences has diminished.
This means that during the December exam period, students will be required to provide a medical note to obtain academic accommodation for absences due to illness, in accordance with university Senate policy.
The need to self-report flu-like absences will be re-instated when classes resume Jan. 4.
Students with an employment relationship with the university should continue to self-report flu-like absences if they are scheduled to work during this period.
The university will resume ILI-related absence tracking in January because holiday-bound students may be traveling in areas where flu viruses are more prevalent. The tracking will allow Western to monitor for a potential rise in illness on campus.
Reminder
Continue with good hygiene practices that minimize risk of infection. Frequent hand-washing, use of hand sanitizer, and catching sneezes and coughs in shirt sleeves are among your best defenses. Consider obtaining appropriate vaccinations which are now available at clinics operated by the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
For the latest information on clinics, please visit the MLHU website or Western’s dedicated website https://communications.uwo.ca/influenza-microsite/