Communicable Disease

Introduction

In keeping with its fundamental principles, the First Nations University of Canada (“FNUniv” or the “University”) is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for its faculty, staff, students and guests.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction to the University Community (as defined below) in preparing for and responding to communicable diseases that may threaten the University’s purposes and the safety of its employees, students and the greater community.

Scope

As safety is a top priority, this policy applies to, and is the responsibility of, all members of the University Community, as defined below.

Definitions

Communicable Disease

A communicable disease is an infectious disease transmissible by an affected individual to others via direct or indirect means. A communicable disease can be transmitted through people, animals, surfaces, foods, or air.

Pandemic

Pandemic means a communicable disease that is prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world. Global communicable disease pandemics are declared by the World Health Organization.

University Community

University Community includes:

• all current employees, faculty, students and Elders of FNUniv;
• any person holding a University appointment whether or not that person is an employee;
• post-doctoral fellows;
• separately incorporated organizations operating on campus who voluntarily agree to submit to the processes under this policy;
• organizations and individuals required by contract to comply with University policies;
• members of the FNUniv Board of Governors;
• visitors and guests; and
• anyone using University facilities.

Policy Statements

The policy states the following:

The health and safety of FNUniv’s students, employees, faculty and others in the University Community is of paramount importance. This policy is designed for the purpose of addressing those diseases that pose a threat to the University Community due to rapid transmission of infection to, and/or among, individuals. Examples of such communicable diseases include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis, Meningitis, Measles, Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Tuberculosis (TB). 

This policy is supported by the FNUniv Communicable Disease Procedure Statement, and all response guidelines created in accordance with that Procedure Statement and this Policy, to assist in the prevention, mitigation, and response concerning the spread of diseases that may threaten the University.

In accordance with Health Canada, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (“SHA”), FNUniv adopts the following policies with respect to all communicable diseases:

1. FNUniv will endeavour to make available up-to-date educational materials and Public Health Office bulletins to students, staff, and faculty concerning any emerging communicable diseases, outbreaks or pandemics.
2. The University will follow all medical advice and direction from the appropriate medical authorities, including the regional Medical Health Officer, the SHA, and Health Canada.
3. In the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease, the University will adhere to protocols established by the Ministry of Advanced Education, the SHA and Health Canada.
4. Individuals who have, or suspect they may have, a communicable disease are required to call 8-1-1, follow all directives given to them by public health officials and adopt responsible health care practices.
5. Pursuant to the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, FNUniv will take all reasonable steps to protect the privacy of individuals who have identified communicable diseases. The University will not disclose the identity of any member of the University Community who has a communicable disease, except as authorized or required by law.
6. As required by the SHA and Health Canada, the University will communicate to the SHA all instances of reportable communicable diseases, and will comply with all requests for information from the SHA with respect to the ill individual, including information about contact tracing.
7. If a member of the University Community has an identified communicable disease, it is recommended that the individual inform FNUniv of any members of the University Community that the individual may have recently been in contact with. 
8. The University will meet all legal requirements of the SHA and Health Canada for quarantine or isolation of any student, staff, or faculty infected with a communicable disease.
9. The university will reasonably accommodate individuals affected with communicable diseases. Individuals will not be asked to leave the University due to their illness, unless the individual poses a danger to the University Community, as determined by the individual’s physician, the SHA or other designate of The Public Health Act.
10. The academic implications of communicable diseases in individual circumstances will be addressed on a case-by-case basis through existing academic regulations. FNUniv may approve additional or alternate responses to the academic consequences of communicable diseases to deal with university-wide implications.
11. The University shall, where reasonably possible, continue its essential business activities to enable the delivery of its core services. FNUniv will base the continuity of operations on the recommendations and guidelines set out from time to time by the regional Medical Health Officer, the SHA, and Health Canada.
12. FNUniv will follow the Communicable Disease Procedure Statement to respond to instances of communicable disease within the University Community. This Procedure Statement will outline various response guidelines or plans that will be developed in order to facilitate emergency preparedness at FNUniv. These response documents may include the following:
    • Outbreak Risk Operations Guidelines;
    • University Re-Open or Resumption Plan;
    • Communication Plan;
    • Campus Rules During Outbreak;
    • Safe Workplace Plan;
    • Emergency Outbreak Plan; and
    • Safe Event Plan.

Consequences for Noncompliance

Noncompliance with this policy could place the University Community at significant risk. Violations are subject to appropriate corrective administrative, academic or non-academic discipline, and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of the member’s position with the University, or in the case of a student, an academic suspension. 

Related Information

• Communicable Disease Procedure Statement
• Health and Safety Policy
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
• Enterprise Risk Management Policy
• The Public Health Act, RSS 1994, c P-37.1
• The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSS 1990-91, c L-27.1