In January, 2006 University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman formalized and charged the Infectious Hazards Planning Group to help prepare the University for dealing with a pandemic disease scenario. This group has many functions, one of which is to promote units across the University to prepare for continuity of operations, both academic and business, in the event of a major disease outbreak affecting the campus. The full charge to the group is as follows:

Background
The United States has seen three pandemics of influenza during the past 100 years, and each has had an important impact on the University of Michigan. Public health authorities are convince that this cycle of illness will recur in coming years, and concerned about the possibility that a recurrence many take place in the near term. The possibility of pandemic influenza, or avian influenza, affecting communities across the world and the United States raises issues of preparedness for the University.

Charge
The Infectious Hazards Planning Group is charged to consider the various scenarios that might arise in the vent of pandemic or avian influenza, or other similar highly contagious and potentially serious or lethal infectious illness. This group is asked to consider policies and various actions that might be necessary to respond to such epidemics in order to safeguard the health and safety of students, staff and faculty, and to secure the academic and business operations of the University.

This planning should be done collaboratively within the University, utilizing the medical expertise of the University of Michigan Health System and the University Health Service. Additional expertise shall include the Office of the Provost, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of the Vice President for Communications, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, the University of Michigan-Flint, the Dental School, the School of Public Health, the Rackham School of Graduate Studies, the International Center, the International Institute, the Office of International Programs, the Office of Human Resources and Affirmative Action, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, University Housing, and the Washtenaw County Health Department. The group should take into account that the University is both a major employer and resource within the city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and the State of Michigan, and, as such, will require close collaboration with public health authorities at the county and state levels.

The Infectious Hazards Planning Group should prepare a full report for the president and the executive vice presidents no later than September 2006. In addition, in the event of an epidemic prior to this deadline, the Planning Group should prepare intermediary plans with recommendations for policies and actions that may be implemented to protect the University and its community.