As fears rise with the increasing threat of the H1N1 virus, Texas A&M University-Commerce has prepared an area for potentially infected students who live in student housing.
Berry Hall, formerly used as the dormitories for students enrolled in Mayo College, has been prepared to take in students that become infected with the H1N1 virus and choose to go into voluntary isolation.
“The Center for Disease Control is recommending practicing social distancing if there are two or more roommates and one has H1N1,” Director of Student Health Services Shelly Hodge said. “We’re asking students that are sick to go home, and if not able to then to look at Berry Hall as an option.”
According to Associate Director of Residential Living and Learning Hayley Jobe, Berry Hall is ready to serve as a temporary home for infected students as soon as it is needed.
“32 beds are set up and ready to go for H1N1 students,” Jobe said. “If H1N1 affects students, there will be a staff and janitorial staff at Berry, as well as assistance from Food Services to aid getting meals to the students.”
There is also a plan for students that do not have H1N1 but live with someone that is ill and doesn’t wish to leave.
“We also have rooms across the courtyard for healthy students with a roommate infected with H1N1 who chooses not to leave,” Jobe said.
While there have been no confirmed cases of H1N1, the plan to use Berry Hall as a voluntary isolation spot has been in place some time.
“The beds have been made for a few weeks now,” said Jobe.
While the plan takes in account students that currently live in student housing, certain arrangements might be made.
“Typically it would be a student living in residential housing, but if an emergency situation arose we would look at how we could help,” Jobe said.
Jayla Mayes, Student Solutions Specialist at the One Stop Shop, agrees with the plan.
“I think it’s a really good idea, because it’s [H1N1] really becoming an epidemic,” Mayes said. “There’s not enough vaccinations for people so I think it’s a great idea to keep the sickness isolated.”
Students feeling sick for more than 24 hours should be seen at the Student Clinic. If a student is found to be infected with the H1N1 virus, they are advised to take the necessary steps to prevent spreading it to other students.