Dear Montreat Parents,
I hope your student is having a good experience at Montreat College this semester. We have been pleased with the engagement of our students in and out of the classroom thus far.
I know that there has been much reporting on the flu lately, so I wanted to provide you an update on what’s happening on our campus.
H1N1 influenza is circulating many communities, including Montreat College and Buncombe County. The college prepared well in advance for a pandemic situation with policy development, extra supplies, and faculty adjustment of attendance policies and assignments. Our residence life staff has had CPR and First Aid training and special classes on H1N1. Each dorm has Swine Flu Supply Kits (thermometers, Sani-wipes, Tylenol, ibuprophen, masks, hand sanitizer, sports drinks, and medical instructions). Nurse Linda Thompson has been available 24/7 for our students. Students have repeatedly been given instruction on when to seek medical attention, especially students in the high risk group.
This influenza exhibits like a mild seasonal flu with symptoms lasting from three to five days. Infected students are asked to be on voluntary isolation for seven days; regardless of symptoms, they are contagious that long. Our Medical Director’s doctor’s office is close by and has added staff so that any student can be seen quickly.
Students are cooperating with standard precautions, practicing good respiratory etiquette, cleaning high traffic areas with Sani-wipes, and going home if they live within driving distance. Residence life staff has been helpful in many ways by delivering meals, running to the drug store, and checking on students frequently. Ill students are seen frequently in the Student Health Center and are monitored closely. Student Health also monitors the Centers for Disease control, the North Carolina Division of Public Health, and the Buncombe County Health Department for the latest news and information.
What can you as a parent do to help? Make sure your student gets the regular flu shot soon. Send students back to campus with microwavable soup, sports drinks, water, Tylenol, Advil, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and tissues. Ask your sick student to report to Student Health. Pray for all of the students and personnel of the college.
Update-to-date information can be found at:
www.flu.gov
www.cdc.gov
www.buncombecounty.org
www.montreat.edu
And you may contact Nurse Linda Thompson by e-mail at lthompson@montreat.edu.
We believe that prevention is much better than cure, so please encourage your student to follow the guidelines we have provided.
Sincerely,
Dan Struble, Ph.D.
President