University plans for H1N1

The University Senate held its first meeting of the academic year yesterday afternoon. Along with the announcement that 2010 commencement will be held at Yankee Stadium, the Senate also discussed NYU's planning for the potential spread of H1N1 on campus.

H1N1 Planning

— Strategies available to help combat H1N1 include vaccinations, education and reminders about personal hygiene, isolation, the availability of masks and gloves, and anti-viral treatment for at-risk groups.

— NYU plans to develop policies for the suspension of classes and programs in the event of the increased spread of H1N1, though Carlo Ciotoli, the medical director of the Student Health Center, said, "It looks more and more like that will be a very unlikely event."

— When the threshold of ill students is below 20 percent, they would be encouraged to wear masks and gloves for protection. But when it is above 20 percent, the protection strategies will be enforced to a higher degree.

— In regard to upcoming flu vaccines, Ciotoli said, "Hopefully now that the flu vaccine is available for H1N1, we will be able to do some mass vaccination campaigns and get as many vaccinated as possible."

— All medical officials in New York are required to get the swine flu vaccine. This includes staff at the NYU Langone Medical Center, the College of Dentistry, and the Student Health Center.