Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

How could the flu affect athletics here at the University?

At this time, the United States is monitoring an increase in the incidence and prevalence of seasonal influenza as well as H1N1 influenza. Howard University officials are carefully monitoring the progression of seasonal influenza and H1N1 influenza and have prepared an Influenza Response Plan as well as an educational campaign for students, faculty and staff.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics recommends that our students, staff and contingents follow the University’s guidelines prepared in conjunction with the Student Health Center at www.howard.edu/studenthealth/. In the event of an influenza outbreak on campus, the Influenza Response Plan delineates the action levels and recommended institutional response to safeguard the health and safety of all members of the University community.

Preventive Steps

It is important to note that influenza can spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the risk of influenza outbreaks at Howard University. Part of our University-wide educational campaign is to reinforce overall good health and hygiene:

  • Hand Hygiene
    • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing and before eating. The use of alcohol based sanitizers are also effective.
  • Cover when coughing or sneezing
    • Cover your mouth and/or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, practice using your elbow or shoulder. It is not good to use your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
    • Germs are often spread when people touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Avoid close contact
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick or show signs of illness. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
  • Vaccination
    • Vaccination for the seasonal flu is recommended. H1N1 vaccination is also recommended, it is highly recommended for those individual at “high-risk” of medical complications and severe illness if they contract influenza. The University intends to make both the seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccines available to all students..

Influenza Prevention for Student Athletes

The athletics director has requested the administrative staff to observe the level of missed practices or student-athletes displaying flu-like symptoms in the coming weeks.

If a student-athlete or staff member experiences influenza-like symptoms, he or she should notify the athletics director and the Student Health Center immediately. The Student Health Center will evaluate and assess the student athlete’s condition, provide testing and treatment options as needed. If he or she has become exposed to seasonal or H1N1 influenza, he or she shall take preventive steps as to minimize contact with others. If possible, students or staff should return home, residence hall or apartment for 24-48 hour isolation until they have fully recovered.

Athletes should not attend class, work or any athletic practice or competition. All student-athletes are required to notify their instructors via phone or email to make arrangements for any missed classes or assignments.

If a number of student athletes associated with the Athletics Department in a specific team sport, or several individuals across several team sports, are infected with seasonal or H1N1 influenza that requires cancellation of game day events or closure of the department, the appropriate University personnel, opposing team’s head coach or athletics director and conference office will be notified of schedule change and procedures will be followed. Once the influenza outbreak has been identified, monitored for impact, and brought under control, the department will begin its recovery process of continuing the year’s game schedule.

The athletics director will be designated as the emergency point person for communication of critical information from the department.

Game Day Changes

The following steps/process must be adhered to for conference schedule changes:

The two head coaches involved must agree among themselves on the proposed schedule within 48 hours.

  • If an agreement cannot be reached by the two head coaches
    • The two athletic directors must resolve the matter within 24 hours.
    • If the two athletic directors cannot resolve the matter, the commissioner will review the situation and information, and render a decision. The commissioner’s decision is final.
  • If agreed upon, the host institution’s athletics director is responsible for submitting “the standard conference schedule change form” with the necessary signatures (host athletics director, visiting athletics director, host head coach and the visiting head coach) to the commissioner.
  • The commissioner will respond to the host institution’s athletics director of his/her decision on the requested change with copies forwarded to the visiting athletics director, visiting head coach, the host head coach, MEAC director of championships, MEAC media relations director and both institutions sports information directors.
  • If a schedule request change is granted, the conference office will make the necessary revisions on the present.

These administrative procedures for schedule changes will be followed as close as possible for nonconference games in conjunction with any contractual agreements.

Updates and Changes

Department-wide announcements regarding operational procedures and timetable will be communicated via email, web, and media from the desk of the athletics director.