The University of Minnesota developed a policy that outlines how the president or designee, in accordance with the University Emergency Operations Plan, may determine circumstances that would necessitate the declaration of a University State of Emergency, or change in standard operations, either to limit exposure through "social distancing," or as a result of extremely high rates of absenteeism, related to pandemic influenza.
This policy was drafted by human resources leaders on campus in consultation with academic health partners after reviewing draft policies created elsewhere. The policy was formally adopted as an administrative policy in October 2009, based upon concerns about the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. University partners are grateful there has been no need to implement the policy to date.