Information on Attendance, Exam Reschedule, COVID-19, and Inclement Weather

This page is meant to be informative for how the UWSOM MD Program policies function while you are in Spokane. For more general information please visit the UW School of Medicine MD Program Policies website.

• Attendance & Absentee Policy
• Exam Reschedule Policy

Class Schedules

The most up to date and accurate class schedules will always be found on Elentra. A word of caution on the Elentra schedule: The block schedule is uploaded one month before the block begins (at the latest). Because of this, each term Dr. Clauser will send out a list of dates that should be open for you to schedule appointment.

• PLEASE NOTE: The goal of providing this document is to improve healthcare access, so you can make doctor, dentist, therapy, wellness, etc. appointments. Consider this a DRAFT; it is not a comprehensive list of all free time, and it could potentially contain mistakes that will need to be corrected. The goal of this document is NOT intended for planning vacations or buying nonrefundable plane tickets. Please always use Elentra as your most accurate schedule resource, and check with block leads directly if you are planning travel that could potentially interfere with class.

COVID-19 Guidance

•  You can return to class when FOR THE PAST 24 HOURS you have not had a fever (without the use of fever reducing medication) AND your symptoms have generally improved.
• When you return, wear a well fitting mask until symptoms have completely resolved. Handwashing and distancing help as well.

Regarding required classes:

• Contact your college mentor if you are going to miss a hospital tutorial. If you are scheduled to interview, ask someone in your group to switch with you.
• Contact your FCM course director if you are going to miss an FCM workshop. They will send you an alternative assignment.
• Contact your small group facilitator if you are going to miss a small group. If you are assigned to lead a case, please ask someone to switch with you.
• If you are feeling poorly and need to rest, contact Dr. Clauser or a staff member and they can help you with communication.

For the next exam: 

• If you have significant symptoms, “brain fog”, etc. and are unable to keep up with coursework, you have the option to delay the next exam. You would go to the exam delay website and choose “Personal illness” as your reason. If you request a delay, Dr. Clauser and Sean Collins will be cc’d and Sean will reach out with the exam makeup details. These are usually the Wednesday after the usual exam date.
• If you feel good and want to take the exam on schedule, just let us know. You can take the exam via Zoom from home so you don’t get behind.
• Unfortunately, you cannot delay multiple exams to keep them spaced out.

Inclement Weather

Inclement Weather Policy

• Block and FCM Classes follow GU’s closure schedule.
• Hospital Tutorial: College heads, in conjunction with the foundations dean, will determine whether hospital tutorials will proceed as scheduled. The decision will be communicated with MSA communications liaison to disseminate to students and college heads will notify relevant college mentors.
• PCP: Students should use their best judgment and safety is paramount. We recommended students proactively communicate early and clearly when there are concerns about inclement weather. This applies to rescheduling, arriving late, or leaving early due to weather conditions. Students should make every effort to reschedule their PCP sessions. If not possible please see make-up activities listed at the top of your PCP tracker.

Spokane Foundations Leadership will review all the available information regarding the weather and contact the MSA communication liaison with any cancellations before 7:00am. If there is no update, assume learning sessions are proceeding as normal.

Please Note:

• Spokane Foundations Leadership relies on those who have eyes on road conditions in our community to decide whether learning sessions will proceed normally.
• For classroom teaching, we generally follow GU’s closure schedule.
• For hospital tutorials, PCP, and other activities, we rely on info from the City of Spokane, Spokane Public Schools, Gonzaga and other local universities, etc. who do snow removal and have first-hand knowledge of road conditions.

Preparing for winter weather:

• Make sure to have a full tank of gas in your car.
• Learn the least-hilly routes to and from work in case streets with hills are closed. If you have tire chains for your car, know in advance how to use them.
• Arrange for alternate childcare. Schools often close, so have a plan for who will care for your children if you are scheduled to work. Know the weather plans for the childcare or daycare agencies you use. In addition, Providence has a backup childcare program through Choose Well. Learn more about the program on the Caregiver Service Portal and search “backup child care.”
• Wear boots to school/clinic and bring other shoes for class. This will prevent falls on the ice.
• Keep a snow kit in your vehicle and at work (such as a change of clothes, snow boots, window scraper, toiletries, medications, contact lens solution, blanket, flashlight, and batteries). This is a good year-round emergency management tactic.
• When the weather is bad, set your alarm for earlier than usual so you are not rushed and can arrive at work safely.
• Check out alternate commute options:
  • If you normally take a bus, find its snow route.
  • If you know of a coworker who lives close to you and they have a dependable snow vehicle, ask to carpool.
  • Consider Uber, Lyft, or Waze.
  • If you don’t ride a bus, consider using the bus for transportation. Resources are on the Commute Smart NW website.

Stay informed on the latest conditions and updates:

• Sign up for ZagAlerts to receive alerts (via texts +/- phone call +/- emails, you decide) about all campus safety and weather issues.
• ALERT Spokane – ALERT Spokane is the program behind the public alert and warning messages that are disseminated throughout the greater Spokane area for all types of threats and hazards. If you live outside of Spokane County, check with your local jurisdiction.
• City of Spokane Snow Response
• Spokane County Winter Road Maintenance
• Spokane Valley Snow Removal

Please remember to continually evaluate and review your winter preparedness plans. Additional information about winter weather and how to be better prepared are available at https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather.