Information for Parents

Message to parents: Posted 9/2/09

Dear Parents:

Your sons and daughters were e-mailed this evening suggesting that, if possible and convenient, they take advantage of the three-day weekend to go home. We are not suggesting students book expensive flights home—and those with respiratory symptoms should not travel via commercial carriers anyway. The hope is that having fewer students on campus could help limit the spread of the novel H1N1 virus.

For students who can't or don't want to go home, all normal campus services will be open as usual. Please note that classes are being held Thursday and Friday.

The McGrath Health and Wellness Center is open this weekend, Saturday through Monday, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The phone number is 513-745-3022. After hours, students should call Campus Police at 513-745-1000.

If your son or daughter is ill and there are family members at home with chronic health issues, compromised immune systems, or who are pregnant, it would be better for the student to stay here at Xavier to keep the virus from those at risk.

For the same reason, students who are at high risk themselves should contact their personal physicians for guidance about remaining on campus.

If your son or daughter falls ill while at home, is already at home or is in the Alumni Center recovery area, they should contact their professor for assignments and also notify their advisor and their hall director.

Please bookmark www.xavier.edu/flu for the latest on the novel H1N1 flu situation at Xavier.

Sincerely,

Dianne B. Fisk
Executive Director
Office of Parent Relations
fiskd@xavier.edu
513-745-4266

Message to parents: Posted 9/1/09

Dear Parents:

Here is the latest news we have for you about the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus at Xavier. Please remember these web sites also have the latest news: www.xavier.edu/flu and www.xavier.edu/parents.

It has been 10 days since Xavier received the first notification verifying the presence of the novel H1N1 flu virus on campus. Since then, approximately 110 probable cases of novel H1N1 have been identified. This number includes students who have already recovered from the illness.

We need your help to stop the spread. Students diagnosed as probable for H1N1 flu are required to either go home for recovery or to self-isolate themselves in the student recovery center in the lower level of the Alumni Center. As of Tuesday afternoon, approximately 25 students were in the recovery center. The center is staffed 24/7 by medical personnel, and Dr. James Konerman, medical director for the McGrath Health and Wellness Center, is making daily rounds.

Students who self-isolate in the recovery center should expect to stay for a maximum of five days. They will need to be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol, Advil or similar products) before being allowed to return to their normal routine.

Many other students have opted to recover at home. Students who elect to recover at home should remain home for five days and be fever free for 24 hours, without medication (Tylenol, Advil or similar fever-reducing products) before returning to campus. Students going home should notify their parents, their hall director and their advisor that they are leaving. (I should note that the same directive applies to University faculty, staff and administrators.)

We strongly encourage you to be in contact with your student. If you think your student is ill and has not been tested, please direct them to immediately seek help by calling the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022.

In consultation with the Cincinnati Health Department, Xavier has canceled or postponed all large events and club sports practices through the Labor Day holiday.

Academic Affairs is working in concert with the McGrath Health and Wellness Center to notify faculty of those students who are away from class recovering from the flu. Be assured that the academic deans and department chairs, working with the faculty, are committed to making certain your sons and daughters remain on track with their academic studies.

Xavier will continue to monitor the situation and update you as necessary.


Sincerely,

Dianne B. Fisk
Executive Director
Office of Parent Relations
fiskd@xavier.edu
513-745-4266

Message to parents: Posted 8/28/09

Dear Parents:

We have some new information to share with you regarding the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus situation here at Xavier and efforts to keep everyone healthy.

The lower level of the Alumni Center has been converted to a recovery area for students. It is being staffed 24/7 by medical professionals, including some from Tri-Health here in Cincinnati.

Food is being provided. Students who are coming to the Alumni Center are being told what and what not to bring. Students also have the option of going home.

Updated information from the Cincinnati Health Department indicates that students can return to their normal routine once they have been fever free (without the use of medications) for 24 hours. This still could mean a 3-5 day isolation period for students.

Based on recommendations from the Cincinnati Health Department, the University is canceling or postponing major events through the Labor Day holiday.

Faculty were asked to excuse from class any student who was coughing and/or presented influenza like illnesses. Those students were told to contact the McGrath Health and Wellness Center.

There was a technical problem with the parent hotline at 513-745-4266. That problem has now been resolved. The line is staffed around the clock. If you are asked to leave a message, please do so and your call will be returned.

The McGrath Health and Wellness Center will be open this weekend.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the flu and Xavier's efforts to combat the virus.

Xavier will continue to monitor the situation and update you as necessary.

Sincerely,

Dianne B. Fisk
Executive Director
Office of Parent Relations
fiskd@xavier.edu
513-745-4266

Frequently Asked Questions about the Flu

What are the symptoms of this flu?
Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches

What if my child has symptoms?
Have them call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022 and talk to a medical professional.

Then what?
If your child is diagnosed with flu, s/he can go home or they will be isolated in the Alumni Center.

I can't get there to pick him/her up?
Your son or daughter will be directed to the Alumni Center. It is clean, safe, comfortable and is staffed 24/7 with medical personnel.

He/she's too sick to walk.
Have s/he call Campus Police at 513-745-1000 to arrange transportation.

How long will s/he stay in the Alumni Center?
Students will remain in isolation until 24 hours after their fever breaks. S/he must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicine before returning to their normal routine.

What about food and medicine?
Nurses and medical personnel will be on hand 24/7 and will administer medication as prescribed. Chartwell's, Xavier's food service provider, is bringing food to the isolated students three times a day.

What about non-flu medications s/he is on?
Your student should bring any other prescription medications they are on with them to the isolation center and notify the nurses/doctors there of these medications.

Can't s/he just stay in their room and away from others?
For the general health of the campus and in the best interest of your son/daughter, being monitored 24/7 by a medical professional in a quiet, isolated and controlled setting will be the best for all.
 

Message to parents: Posted 8/27/09

Dear Parents:

We want to keep you up to date on the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus (aka swine flu) situation here at Xavier.

More and more students are reporting mild influenza-like symptoms and illnesses. Seven cases have been confirmed as novel H1N1. Several cases have also been confirmed at other area universities.

In light of this and after consultation with the Cincinnati Health Department, students who are feeling ill may choose to go home and return to campus when they are completely well. If they decide to leave campus, please have them notify their advisors and residence hall directors.

For students who are feeling ill but not able to go home, or who are waiting for parents to pick them up, Xavier is making provisions for additional care while they recover.

The lower level of the Alumni Center is being converted to a recovery area for students, whether they live on or off campus. The area has space to accommodate a number of students, has sufficient bathroom facilities, is air conditioned, has a separate air filter system, is quiet, and can be isolated from the rest of the building.

The area will be supervised and be staffed by medical personnel. Food will be provided. Other spaces are also being investigated should the need arise for more space.

People infected with novel H1N1 flu may be able to infect others before showing symptoms. An isolation period of up to seven days may be necessary.

Academic Affairs will work with your sons and daughters to keep up on their classes. Faculty and staff are available to assist them in staying current or getting caught up with their academic work or to address other concerns that you or the students may have.

We have established a hotline for parents, which is 513-745-4900. This line is staffed 24/7.

Xavier continues to encourage diligent personal hygiene. The entire Xavier community was sent an e-mail last Friday urging everyone to take steps to prevent the flu. Flyers have been posted. Hand sanitizers have been placed around campus. Tissues are in classrooms.

Cleaning crews are paying special attention to areas that are often touched, such as door knobs, light switches, etc. Laptops loaned to students at the Gallagher Student Center and McDonald Library are being wiped down when returned by students.

Xavier will continue to monitor the situation and update you as necessary. Regular updates can be found at www.xavier.edu/flu or www.xavier.edu/parents.


Sincerely,

Dianne B. Fisk
Executive Director
Office of Parent Relations
fiskd@xavier.edu