Cold and Flu Season is Here Again

With the return of the cold and flu season, the University of Wyoming is offering some important recommendations to help stay well and to guide students regarding excused class absences.

Anne Alexander, associate vice president for undergraduate education; Sean Blackburn, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students; and Joanne Steane, UW Student Health Service director, offer the following guideline recommendations:

-- To lessen the chance of getting colds and flu, it is important to keep your hands clean by handwashing or using hand sanitizer. Read more.

-- Cover your cough or sneeze with tissues (throw away the tissue) or your elbow. Read more.

-- Avoid contact with sick people; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and practice other healthy habits (manage your stress, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food).

-- Getting a yearly flu shot is the most important method to avoid influenza.

Class Absences

UW regulations place the authority to excuse class absences due to routine illness or medical appointments with the instructor of record. Students are not required to provide an official excuse during an illness, and professors should not try to judge the medical merits of students’ explanations.

Instructors should work with students in good faith to find alternative ways to complete required activities they may miss during their illness. The Dean of Students Office may only issue authorized absences for university-sponsored activities, unusual circumstances and personal hardships; and the Student Health Service does not issue “doctor’s notes” or excused absences for illness or medical appointments.