Administrative Aspects
in Dealing with a Pandemic
Influenza Outbreak on Campus



Mark Bragg, Information Technology
Joe Smith, University Relations
Ed Kelly, J.D., Legal Affairs
Discussion




Creation of an Emergency Command
Center
Identifying an Emergency Management
Team
Communications
Legal Issues
An Emergency Command
Center
First step: Finding the right place
ETSU chose the ground floor of
one of the dormitories.
Criteria for decision:




Open student lab with adjacent server room
Already-existing networking capabilities
Good cell phone coverage
Isolated from population
Criteria for decision:





Private entrance
Private HVAC system
Movable tables and chairs for maximum
flexibility
Access to multimedia classroom with televisions
and radios to monitor news coverage
Not in main administration building
Infrastructure needs:








25 phone lines installed for phone conversation;
numbers can be forwarded to these lines
Wired AND wireless networking
High speed printing
Multimedia classroom equipment
Cable TV
Projector
Smart Board
Document Camera
Command Center Staff
Regional Health
Office
Dean College
of Medicine
Alternate
Incident Commander
Division of
Infectious
Diseases
Academic affairs
Admininstration
Public Safety
Information
Technology
Human Resources
Business & Finance
ETSU
Pandemic Influenza
Emergency
ETSU
Team
Management
Emergency Operations
Center
Health Affairs
Vice President
Facilities
College of Nursing
Incident Commander
Command and Control
Procurement
Health and Safety
University Relations
Student Affairs
Legal Counsel
Student Health
Clinic
Student Housing
Comptroller
International Programs
& Services
Medical Education
Assistance Corporation
(MEAC)
Divison of
Laboratory Animals
Resources
Communications
Campus



Inform them a pandemic outbreak is
possible
The campus has developed a
preparedness plan
There are preventive public health
measures that everyone should follow



A web site has been developed that has
FAQs about pandemic influenza, Avian flu,
seasonal flu; it includes information about
ways a person can prevent becoming
infected with the flu
www.etsu.edu/pandemicflu
A brochure has also been developed with
similar information and is being made
available to students
News Media
Establish a separate location
where the media can gather
for news updates:



Should be separate from Emergency
Command Center
Restrict spokespersons
(Now) Form partnerships with local health
departments to address expert questions
and infection control matters
15 Legal Concerns
Edward J. Kelly
University Counsel
ETSU
Planning




In preparing for battle I have always found that
plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The result of planning should be effective,
efficient and economical, that is, suitable for the
intended purpose, capable of producing the
intended results, and involving the least
expenditure of resources”
Mark Crouch
Legal Issues






Review and collaborate with TBR, State,
County Health agencies
Issues
Autonomy
Authority (grease the wheels!)
Flexibility
Responsibility
15 Legal Concerns





1. Close non-academic programsseminars, cont. ed. Sports, intramurals
2. Closure of the campus-layoff, furloughs,
terminations, benefits.
3. Enforcing essential services.
4. Work at home and off-site options
5. Advantages of “state of emergency”
15 Legal Concerns





6. compulsory vaccination-essential
workers, students, health care personnel
7. limitations of anti-virals and vaccines
8.establishing and maintaining a
quarantine
9. International Students and Special
Populations
10 Public Safety, Security of persons,
property.
15 Legal Concerns





11. Animal and Human Subjects in Research
12.Restrictions on Travel and Movement
13. “Auxiliary Programs” day-care, campus
school, camps and continuing education
14. Risks in providing medical care, food prep,
cleaning other services by untrained staff.
15. Policy on tuition refunds, book returns,
board payments in the event of closure.