UI officials are not tracking the total number of H1N1 forms students turn in when they miss class because of flu-like symptoms.

Faculty members are not required to report the number of forms they receive from students, said UI spokesman Tom Moore.

Officials have encouraged students to stay home from class if they have flu-like symptoms and to turn in H1N1 absence forms to their professors when they are well.

Students will not be penalized for missing class if they use the form, Moore said, though they will be expected to make up any missed work.

The previous estimate of 200 students suspected to have H1N1 has remained steady over the past week, Moore said.

UI officials are not keeping track of the forms because the virus is not, at present, a severe public health threat in Johnson County. They may consider tracking the forms if the situation worsens, he said.

“We will continue to assess the situation and adjust if necessary,” he said.

Other schools in the state are also addressing H1N1-related absences.

The University of Northern Iowa does not have forms specifically for absences related to flu-like symptoms, said Student Health Clinic Director Shelley O’Connell.

UNI students have also been advised to stay home if they have think they may have H1N1, and officials expect them to discuss the reason for their absence and make up work with their professors, she said.

While officials have said they aren’t worried about students lying about having H1N1 to miss class, many believe they would be less likely to misuse the system if they knew the UI kept a closer watch.

UI teaching assistant Josie Liu said officials should spread the word through e-mail if they decide to start tracking the forms to dissuade students from misusing them.

She intends to keep the H1N1 forms her students turn in so she can accurately calculate grades, she said.

However, she said, she’s not too concerned about her students unfairly using H1N1 as an excuse.

Out of her 19 students, two have turned in forms so far, and she knows two more who intend to turn them in soon.

“I would like to trust my students will not misuse the forms,” she said, and the documentation on those she’s received so far seems genuine.

But several students are less trusting about their peers’ intentions.

“I think a lot of students might use them to get out of tests they aren’t prepared for,” said Nick Johnson, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Many students may be tempted to use the forms to get extensions on assignments, he said. Those turning in the forms just to get out of class would probably be more concerned about getting caught if the UI kept track, he said.

But Manju Goni, a senior business major, doesn’t think students are unfairly using H1N1 as an excuse, saying students who want to skip class are not likely to bother with the forms.

Rosemary Moore, a history lecturer, said students may be tempted to abuse the absence form system, but most will probably be honest.

Officials want students with flu-like symptoms to avoid going to the doctor’s office, she said, and teachers will have to take the absence forms on faith.