AU is following many other universities' lead and has been preparing for a potentially extensive campus outbreak of the H1N1 virus.
Due to the nature of campus life -- many people coming in close contact with one another -- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised schools to revise their normal rules and regulations in order to restrain the virus. AU has been following CDC's recommendations closely, said Vice President of Student Life Gail Hanson.
The university plans to continue classes if the pandemic hits campus, according to a memo from President Neil Kerwin on Friday. Class syllabi this semester also include an "Emergency Preparedness" statement outlining the university's intention to continue educational programs in the event of a pandemic. AU may extend the traditional term schedule or use distance-learning methods to continue classes, according to the statement. Throughout the semester, the university will update the AU community on the availability of flu vaccinations, health resources, attendance and leave policies as well as changes in the Centers for Disease Control's guidelines, according to Kerwin's memo. In the event of an emergency, information will be communicated to students through AU e-mail accounts and Blackboard.
When news of the virus first broke, AU began tracking the virus and monitoring how the campus dealt with the issue with a group called the Emergency Response Team, said Maralee Csellar, spokesperson for AU.
"We are going to do the very best we can to stay open," she said.
Additionally, the Student Health Center has been working with the D.C. Department of Health and the CDC in order to prepare for a potential escalation in patient numbers, according to Csellar. The Health Center has also been working with other college Health Centers in the D.C. area in order to help one another out in case of an outbreak, according to Hanson.
"Our Health Center is in constant contact with their peers in health education," Csellar said.
The Health Center will also try to get H1N1 vaccines when they become available in October, but the distribution process is undetermined, Hanson said.
In order to keep students informed and educated about the virus, certain steps have been taken. Informative flyers have been posted around campus and in the dorm bathrooms and disinfectant dispensers have been installed in various locations around campus.
In general, Csellar recommends people follow the CDC's guidelines.
"We're constantly going to remind students, faculty and staff to remain healthy and respond if one becomes sick," she said.
Preventing transmission of the disease is the biggest problem, according to health and fitness Professor Robert Karch. Students and faculty should be cautious of hand-to-mouth contact when in the classroom, dorms and cafeteria, as the virus in contracted when it comes in contact with mucus, Karch said.
"We're watching the developing situation, and to foresee how much of a threat it will be is a little premature right now," Csellar said.,
Karch believes awareness will keep swine flu from becoming rampant.
"If we take a little precaution, more than we would normally, I think we'll be OK," Karch said.
For more information about the pandemic, safety procedures and the university's swine flu policy, visit www.american.edu/emergency/Swine-Flu-Information.cfm.
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