Plan Objectives

Closing and Evacuation
In recognition of its primary responsibility for the safety and well-being of its students, and in recognition that its healthcare resources will be inadequate to care for a large number of individuals during a severe pandemic, Ithaca College will make every effort to suspend operations and enable students to return home before widespread illness occurs.

Healthcare Needs
Ithaca College will utilize all available resources to meet the outpatient healthcare needs of students and, as possible and appropriate, of the larger Ithaca College community during an influenza pandemic

Mental Health
Ithaca College will strive to meet the pandemic-related mental health needs of its students and employees in preparing for, coping with, and recovering from a pandemic emergency.

Essential Personnel, Operations and Services
Ithaca College will establish a system to rapidly identify essential personnel, operations and services relative to the College’s mission and objectives.

Academic Affairs
The College will implement all officially recommended public health measures to limit the spread of illness, remove obstacles to student compliance with recommendations wherever possible, develop ways, within its capabilities, for instruction to continue during interruption in class attendance, and suspend teaching activities when deemed necessary.

Housing, Facilities and Dining
In addition to health care, Ithaca College will meet other needs of students living on campus as appropriate during an influenza pandemic. The College will continue to provide safe and adequate housing, and meals, for students who are unable to evacuate for reasons beyond their control, and will strive to provide for essential staff and volunteer workers as capabilities allow.

Public Health
To the extent possible, Ithaca College will assist in local, state, and federal pandemic influenza response efforts as appropriate and needed.

Public Safety
Ithaca College will continue to provide policing and environmental health and safety services within its capabilities during a pandemic emergency.

Communications
The College will create awareness and understanding among members of the campus community about the serious nature of the pandemic threat, generate community involvement in pandemic planning, educate the community about the pandemic plan and every member’s potential role in responding to the crisis, inform community members about ongoing health mitigation measures (flu shots, use of hand sanitizers, e.g.), and provide timely and effective information during a pandemic that will help reduce illness, save lives, and maintain essential operations.

Information Technology
Information Technology Services will maintain telephone systems, computing capability, and internet services to meet the needs of the campus community during a pandemic emergency.

Transportation and Travel
Ithaca College will implement travel recommendations based on its own assessment of risk to travelers and/or CDC international travel guidelines.