2 I February 20, 2015
The Guilfordian
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News in Brief
STEM Education
Guilford wins STEM award
Associate Professor of Biology and
Director of Undergraduate Research and
Creative Endeavors Melanie Lee-Brown
and Chair and Associate Professor of
Biology Michele Malotky are recipients of
a SENCER-National Science Foundation
Post-Institute Implementation Award.
The award is for a project called Allies
in Community Outreach, Research and
Education (ACORE), which includes faculty
and students from the Bonner program, the
biology department and North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University.
Their main goal is to use science outside the
classroom and undertake civic engagement
and peer mentoring through community-
based research projects.
Event Cancelled
Recyciemunia "Hazmat'’
Event Cancelled
Due to the recent ice and snow, the
outdoor "Hazmat" event will not take place
this week. The "Hazmat" event is an annual
occurrence hosted by the Sustainability
Department. It entails collecting all
recyclable and landfill waste from outdoor
containers. They are then weighed and
sorting out separately, all with the goal of
finding out truly how effective recycling,
is at Guilford. Previously, "Hazmat"-goers
have found that Guilford has an issue with
sullied recyclables, recyclable containers
that were not completely emptied yet
thrown into recycling bins.
Bryan Series
Robert Reich presentation
postponed
The Bryan Series Robert Reich presentation
has been postponed due to inclement
weather. The event has been rescheduled
for Tuesday, April 7, at the Greensboro
Coliseum. Tickets from the Feb. 17 date
may be used on April 7. However, if you
are unable to attend the event on that
date, you can return them to the Office
of Communications and Marketing. If you
registered for the event and are interested
in attending the event, but did not pick up
your tickets, contact Suzanne Ingram at
ssulliva@guilford.edu.
Award for Excellence
Board of Visitors
Award for Exceiience in
Academic Advising
Nominations for the fourth annual Board of
Visitors Award for Excellence in Academic
Advising are currently being accepted.
This award recognizes excellence and
commitment to student support and
guidance by advisors. All full-time faculty
members are eligible for the award, and
nominations can be made from anyone in
the Guilford community, including students,
alumni and parents. Nominations may be
submitted to the Dean's Office, King 101,
or by email to Steve Shapiro by March 13,
at 5 p.m. On April 10, the award will be
presented at the Spring Awards Ceremony.
BY VALERIA SOSA
News Editor
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM/NEWS
Case of meningitis on campus
creates concern among students
BYAIPERI lUSUPOVA
Staff Writer
On Feb. 7, Ty Buckner, associate vice president of communications
and marketing, emailed an urgent health alert that a Guilford
student had tested positive for viral meningitis.
“Doctors confirmed Saturday that the Guilford student with
meningitis has the viral type,” said Buckner in the email. “The
student remains under medical care, and we are in contact with
the student’s family to offer our support At this time, we have no
other confirmed cases of meningitis on our campus.”
Rumors about meningitis spread contagiously.
The residents in Bryan Hall, where the first case of meningitis
was found, became concerned about their own health.
“I did not know what meningitis was,” said senior Josh Williams,
a resident of Bryan Hall.
“I found out exactly who (the victim) was,” he added, “and they
live within close proximity to me. It was kind of shocking. I felt
like something serious was happening, and I started to question
my own health.”
All students and administrators of the Guilford community
were involved in the meningitis watch, but only a few of them
knew much about the prevention and management of the central
nervous system infection.
“Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissue that covers the
brain and spinal cord,” said junior Nick Caputo, biology and
health sciences major. “If not treated, it could cause degradation
to the brain. Anti-viral medication is usually used to help to with
the disease since meningitis can be a byproduct of other diseases
like flu or herpes.”
Another student suggested tips to help prevent mdhfd^fe,.,
“Maintain personal hygiene and an awareness of others who
may have the infection,” said senior Delaney Williams, a biology
major. “I would make sure I had the vaccine since the treatment
depends on the type of infection.”
According to Guilford’s health advisory, it is recommended
that students get a checkup at Eagle Physicians, where doctors
can determine whether symptoms indicate meningitis. Students are
also advised to get a meningococcal vaccine before moving into
residence halls to prevent serious health complications.
“Anyone having symptoms should seek medical attention,” said
Susan Smith, administrative assistant at Milner Student Health
and Counseling Center. “Symptoms of meningitis include fever,
severe unrelenting headache, confusion, vomiting (and) stiff neck,
especially when you try to touch your chin to your chest.”
Meningitis, Imown as meningococcal disease, can be viral,
fungal or bacterial. It is usually spread in saliva, stool and other
fluid secretions. Most cases of meningitis in the U.S. are caused by
a viral infection, which is the easiest to cure.
According to the nonprofit medical research group Mayo Clinic,
college students aged 16 to 25 are most at risk for meningitis because
it usually occurs in places where people live in close quarters.
In this community of strong service and care for students, the
odds of getting meningitis are lower than average. It is a rare disease
that can be minimized further by taking preventive measures.
“The Student Affairs Division, under Todd Clark’s leadership,
and the Office of Communications and Marketing strive to
be timely and accurate in informing faculty, staff and students
about these types of medical concerns,” said Buckner. “The
first commitment is to the student who is ill. In the case of the
meningitis diagnosis. Student Affairs is in close contact with the
family of the student to offer support and care.
“The next commitment is to the campus community. Student
Affairs, through Communications and Marketing, provides as
much information as possible to keep the community informed
and safe.”
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