Flu epidemic hits GW
Student Health has noticed a 20 percent increase in the number of patients this flu season, said Susan Haney, outreach coordinator for Student Health Services.
She said more than 100 students have been diagnosed with flu symptoms and many of them had influenza A or “true flu,” which could have been prevented with a flu vaccine.
Haney said symptoms of influenza A include dry cough, sore throat, body aches and temperatures above 100 degrees. Students should rest, eat well, avoid alcohol and wash their hands frequently to prevent themselves from acquiring the illness.
Haney said students with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to catching a flu and should contact a doctor if they have symptoms.
The Public Health Service will provide free flu vaccines in Thurston Hall from 10 a.m. until noon Thursday.
-Francesca Di Meglio
Munson Hall residents overcome inconvenience
Munson Hall students found themselves without hot water or gas from early morning Monday until Tuesday evening because the city gas lines had been damaged by water, said Director of Facilities Management Walter Gray.
Residence Hall Association President Justin Lavella said everyone was friendly and cordial when trying to handle the problem.
“(Facilities) did the best they could, I assume,” Lavella said. “There’s always going to be some problems in some buildings.”
-Francesca Di Meglio
UPD investigates lewd act
Two New Hall residents reported that a male exposed himself in an alley behind the building Sunday night.
The two women told the University Police Department that the male was behind the residence hall and began masturbating at 10:15 p.m.
The suspect used a flashlight to spotlight his public act and ran out of the New Hall alley when he spotted the two residents on the telephone, according to UPD. Although no positive identification on the suspect has been made, UPD is investigating the case.
-Russ Rizzo
MCGB seeks new board members
Two student members of the Marvin Center Governing Board recently resigned from their positions.
MCGB Chair Mike Petron said he hopes to appoint people to fill the vacancies by the next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 5. Petron said Scott Levi, the vice chair of the board, resigned for personal reasons, and Tim Breslin, chair of the building use and services committee, is studying abroad this semester. Students interested in replacing these members can pick up applications in Marvin Center room 416.
-Tammy Imhoff
Mount Vernon student president resigns
Renee Harris, Student Government Association president at GW’s Mount Vernon campus, resigned last Wednesday, citing financial reasons for her decision.
Melissa Harrington, the coordinator for student activities at Mount Vernon, said Harris will not be replaced as president, as the role of the SGA on Mount Vernon’s campus is being reviewed. She said students still will have their concerns addressed through groups such as the communications and food service committees.
Harrington said members of the SGA have been working with GW’s Student Association since the beginning of the school year to determine how the two groups can work together. Harrington said other factors, including the large number of seniors graduating this year and the expected influx of freshmen to the campus next year, led to the review.
Harrington said no definite plans for the SGA have been made and no timetable has been set for decisions regarding the organization.
“This is a growing time for us,” Harrington said. “We’ll be expanding and growing for at least the next two years.”
-Tammy Imhoff
