Buyer Beware Project: H1N1 and Higher Education—how prepared are we?

(Just for this time, we will sidetrack a bit and discuss a prevalent issue that captures the attention of almost everyone. This particular blog post is based on our project that we had presented in our advertising class. I have also included some of my insights regarding the issue. After reading, please feel free to share your comments and feedbacks on the subject. )


The H1N1 influenza virus is really a hot topic. Newspapers everywhere generally have an article on the issue, especially that the cold and flu season has begun. Sickness is a reality and everyone should be concerned including students.

There are about 87,000 post-secondary students in Manitoba or about 7 per cent of the province’s population. It is surprising to know that there are rarely any reports on the management of H1N1 influenza virus in post-secondary institutions. As a result, our team set-off to close the gap.

We did a research on five major post-secondary institutions namely, University of Manitoba, The University of Winnipeg, Red River College, Brandon University and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, by getting available information on H1N1. We searched each institution’s website and found a pandemic preparedness plan. We then put all the information in a comparison chart showing the different plans and policies set in place and made available to the public. The comparison chart is meant to show how much information each pandemic preparedness plan has, from background information to recovery. Here is rating of the five institutions, where `five stars′ means having the most information.

Our chart shows that all five post-secondary institutions have at least, a basic background information on H1N1.

University of Manitoba -5 stars
The University of Winnipeg -4 stars
Red River College -5 stars
Brandon University -4 stars
Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface -5 stars

The chart also shows that University of Manitoba, The University of Winnipeg and Red River College have information on the impact of employee and student absenteeism. Out of the five, only University of Manitoba and Red River College touch on the possibility of supply shortage and facility closure. The University of Manitoba is the only institution that anticipates financial setbacks.

University of Manitoba -5 stars
The University of Winnipeg -2.5 stars
Red River College -4.5stars
Brandon University
University and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface

Also referring to the chart, an outline of roles and responsibilities from each institution in the event of an outbreak is included except for Brandon University. Only University of Manitoba and Red River College mentioned about the existence of a Pandemic Planning Committee and an Emergency Operations Centre. The University of Manitoba is the only one in the group that gives details on the roles and responsibilities of the president, vice-chancellor, deans, directors and department heads.

University of Manitoba -5 stars
The University of Winnipeg -2.5 stars
Red River College -4.5 stars
Brandon University
University and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface -1.5 stars

Since problems are anticipated to happen in the event of a pandemic outbreak, information on how to deal with a specific problem will be helpful. All five post-secondary institutions except Brandon University have specified guidelines on how to handle human resources, facilities, and information technology infrastructures. Only University of Manitoba gives information to students living in residence and housing facilities. Also, it’s the only institution that talks about making provisions for public safety, financial services, food services and issues on legalities.

University of Manitoba -4.5 stars
The University of Winnipeg -1 star
Red River College -3 stars
Brandon University
University and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface -1 star

In the event of a pandemic, University of Manitoba and Red River College have information on recovery in case of a pandemic. Both post-secondary institutions focus on making psychological support to students and staff. Also, both indicate the possibility of replacing staff due to an illness. The University of Manitoba also mentions a plan in place for writing up post-pandemic reports.

University of Manitoba -5 stars
The University of Winnipeg
Red River College -4.5 stars
Brandon University
University and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface

The comparison chart is not meant to criticize any institution, but to simply show the amount of information made available to students.

Part of our research was to consult two public relations experts in crisis communications, namely, Melanie Lee Lockhart and Therese Mickelson. According to them, a good crisis plan should aim to prepare for any situation; be short and simple in the event that a non-crisis committee member can read and act out the plan; be flexible for a changing situation; be well thought out that the institution can respond to the crisis immediately through every media outlet possible; anticipate its audiences′ needs; be prepared to help its team and audience deal with the emotional and physical aspects of a crisis; make everyone’s role in the team clear, and be portable and easily accessible so that each crisis team member can carry the plan with him or her at all times.

This study is a big discovery in itself. As students, we just want to be fully informed about the H1N1 influenza virus and what the post-secondary institutions have planned to address the problem. We found out that—
• A communication plan is different from a crisis plan. A communication plan tells how information is going to be disseminated to staff and students. A crisis plan on the other hand describes how to deal with the problem.
• Every plan is custom-fit to suit an institution′s priorities and values.
• A pandemic plan is not entirely made public. This is because of the possibility that if the plan was entirely revealed, it could change people’s behaviour. If it’s in the wrong hands, it may cause paranoia and fear mongering.
• Assuming each institution would have some sort of plan in place.


I have said earlier that our report was not intended to criticize each institution′s H1N1 pandemic preparedness plan. It is simply meant to create awareness among students that a larger plan is set in place.

Students have little knowledge about their institutions′ crisis plan. As what our experts had said, a crisis communication plan is released in small portions, and when time demands for it. At the present, the most we can do is to continue on with our daily lives as normally as possible. We are to stay up-to-date with H1N1 in our institutions by visiting our schools′ websites. If we have any questions, we are also encouraged to address them to relevant school officials. Both students and staff are to follow preventative measures, and crisis team members and instructors should reassure students that a bigger plan is set in place.

This project opened my eyes to the fact that, there is only so much we can do and absorb at one time. I am eager to know what specific plans have been set in place by my school, to address the potential outbreak of H1N1 influenza virus especially during and after the outbreak. This project raised my curiosity even more on how the people in the pandemic committee will handle the situation, should there be an eventual outbreak. But after learning from our two public relations experts that a communication crisis plan is normally set in place, even without the audience knowing about it, that somehow gives me peace of mind that there are plans prepared beforehand. It is true that if the communication crisis plan was in the wrong hands, it could cause more fear mongering than help calm down the situation.

The most we can do at this time is to remind ourselves the importance of hand washing and to follow the preventative measures used for a typical flu. Here is a video that will show you simple steps to prevent yourself from getting the flu.