Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Aug. 24, 2001, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Informing, entertaining and inspiring the Elon University commuriity since 1974 Volume; XXIX ISSUE; DATE; 8/24/01 www.elon.edu/pendulum Freshmen at risk for meningitis Jennifer Guarino Managing Editor College freshmen living in dor mitories are at a greater risk of con tracting meningitis. A recent report by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that these students are seven times more likely to be infected with the men ingitis bacteria than other college students. The researchers also re ported than the use of the vaccina tion could reduce the risk of dis ease. Meningitis is a potentially deadly bacterial infection that ef fects more than 3,000 Americans, resulting in 300 deaths each year. College students are more prone to contracting the disease than other groups of the population. It is esti mated that 100 to 125 cases, caus ing 5 to 10 deaths, occur on col lege campuses each year. The .fre quency of outbreaks on college campuses has risen during the past 10 years. There has never been a case of meningitis at Elon; however, there was a case in a North Carolina col lege two years ago, Kitty Parrish, director of R.N. Ellington Health and Counseling Center, said. If a case is discovered, the health de partment will assess the situation and assist Elon on prevention. The Center for Disease Control Prevention conducted a study from September 1998 through August 1999. Researchers surveyed state health departments and 231 college health centers. They found that of 96 cases of meningococcal disease, about one-third of the cases were found in freshmen students, al though this group represented four percent of the population studied. The CDC reports that freshmen are at a greater risk because of lifestyle factors associated with these students: communal living, bar patronage, smoking and irregu lar sleeping habits. Meningitis is transmitted through close contact with infected persons, including kissing or sharing utensils. Cases tend to occur more frequently in late winter and early spring. While there was not a clear re lationship between the lifestyle fac tors and the infection, the CDC suggests that students living in dorms are more at risk because they are exposed to the bacteria more often. The close quarters and often less-than-clean environment is the perfect place for the bacteria to cultivate and spread quickly. Special Edition: Freshmen Survival Guide Welcome to Elon! We're excited that you're here The Pendu lum staff spent the summer revamping Elon's only student newspaper and creating a special back to school edition. In side you will find stori^ just for freshmen and new students, from dorm room essentials to dining options on campus, we hope this paper makes your transition tp college a bit easier. If you have suggestions^ comments or qu^ions, please contact us by e-mail (pendulum@elon.edu), phone (ext. 7247) or by stopping by our office (Hosetey 233). Best of luck, The todulum Staff Meningitis can occur in two forms: meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation that affects the brain and spinal cord, or meningococccemia, bacteria in the blood. The disease can result in per manent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, organ failure, loss of limbs or death, according to the Meningitis Foundation of America. Symptoms can occur within hours or days of infection, and resemble the flu. They include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, exhaus tion, rash and sensitivity to light. The CDC strongly suggests that all students be given the vaccina tion. “It’s not prevalent, but it is there,” Parrish said. “It’s not some thing we want to ignore.” Of the nine percent of student who died from meningitis, 70 per cent of those cases could have been prevented by the vaccination. The meningococcal meningitis vaccine lasts for four years and is 85 to 100 percent effective. The health center will sponsor meningitis vaccinations Oct. 30 from 1 to 7 p.m The vaccination will cost $85. Parrish advised that students check with their insurance company regarding coverage. Band swings into full practice Jennifer Guarino/Managing Editor The new marching band began practicing this week on the intramural athletic fields. More than 70 students in the band, color guard and drill team met twice a day to learn two half- time shows featuring music from “Chicago,” “Earth, Wind and Fire” and Latin jazz tunes. The band’s first official performance will be at the Rhodes Stadium opening Sept. 15. The previous band, the Showband of the Carolinas, disbanded in 1982. Di rector Bill De Journett was hired last year to revive the tradition. Elon welcomes Class of 2005 Elizabeth Sudduth News Editor With a new name and a new aca demic year approaching, Elon Uni versity will welcome the most tal ented and qualified freshmen class of it’s 112-year history. “These students are better quali fied,” said Susan Klopman, dean of admissions and financial planning.. Members of the class of 2005 will arrive on campus today, com ing from 39 states and joining 26 new international students who ar rived on Wednesday. Twenty two percent of the stu dents are from North Carolina, fol lowed by Maryland and Virginia with 13 percent, 11 percent from the New England states, 10 percent from Florida and Georgia, 8 per cent from New York and New Jer sey and 6 percent from Pennsylva nia, Ohio and West Virginia. Fifty-three percent of this year’s projected 1,230 freshmen gradu ated in the top-quarter of their high school classes. The average SAT score of the entering students was 1125. Students entering as Fellows, recognizing excellence in honors, business, communications/journal ism, leadership, science and teach ing make up 13 percent of the freshmen class. The Fellows stu dents have an average SAT of 1228 and average high school GPA of 3.92. Presidential Scholars make up 28 percent of the class, with an av erage SAT of 1222 and high school GPA of 3.90. A new student convocation is to be held Saturday, Aug. 25 at 9 a.m.. Under the Oaks in front of West Dormitory, The overall student enrollment is projected to be 4,350, Students will begin classes Aug. 28.
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 24, 2001, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75