The following message is from Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Luoluo Hong:

“We’d like to extend our thoughts and prayers to those students and employees whose families have been affected by yesterday’s earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. The University of Hawai?i at Hilo serves not only the state, but also the entire Pacific. As such, we regard Samoa as part of our extended ‘ohana.

“Various relief efforts are being planned by students, including the UH Hilo Samoan Club. For more information about how to contribute to their efforts, please contact Ginger Hamilton, Director of the Minority Access & Achievement Program, at gingerh@hawaii.edu. In addition, students needing assistance to cope with the aftermath of this natural disaster should contact UH Hilo Counseling Services at 974-7399 to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals on staff.”

Message from Debra L. Fitzsimons, Vice Chancellor-Administrative Affairs

To the UH Hilo Ohana:

Approximately 91 cases of human swine influenza (or “swine flu”) have been identified in the US by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to date. While no cases have been documented in Hawaii, all members of the UH Hilo community are strongly encouraged to take preventative measures to ensure the safety of themselves and their families and friends. The University is currently reviewing its Pandemic Flu Plan and closely monitoring reports issued by local, state, national, and international governmental and public health agencies. In addition, the University works closely with Hawaii County Civil Defense and will notify the University Community should any emergency situation arise.

In the interim, all individuals are asked to practice good hygiene to reduce their risk of infection. Please review the following information:

The following everyday actions can help you remain healthy:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
•  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze; alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands; bacteria and viruses can easily cause infections through these routes.

In addition, avoid close contact with infected or symptomatic individuals:
• Influenza is thought to be transmitted primarily from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.
• If you contract an infection, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Furthermore, it is recommended that non-essential travel to Mexico be limited. More information and updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites.

Lastly, seek medical care if you feel sick.

If you develop flu-like symptoms AND:
• you’ve recently been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu OR
• you’ve traveled to Mexico or to the mainland United States, OR
• you were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness and were in Mexico or the mainland United States then CDC officials recommend that you see your health care provider as soon as possible.

If you have flu-like symptoms but you haven’t been in a high-risk area, you can still elect to see a health care provider. UH Hilo students can contact the Student Health Services to schedule an appointment by calling 974-7636 or visiting Campus Center 212 between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM on Monday through Friday.

CDC Homepage

CDC Swine Flu Information Page

CDC Swine Flu Information Podcasts

CDC Swine Flu Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers

CDC Travel Notices

Debra L. Fitzsimons
Vice Chancellor-Administrative Affairs
University of Hawai’i at Hilo
200 W. Kawili Street
Hilo, Hawai’i 96720-4091
phone: (808)974-7750
cell: (808) 430-0803
fax: (808) 974-7542
email: debra.fitzsimons@hawaii.edu

For more information, contact: debra.fitzsimons@hawaii.edu 974-7750

Clear signage, good lighting and clean landscapes enhance campus safety.
Photo by William Ing.

As the new semester commences, Chancellor Tseng reaffirms that campus safety and security remain a top priority at UH Hilo.

“The safety and well being of our students, faculty and staff continues to be our paramount concern here at UH Hilo,” said Tseng. “We pride ourselves on providing a quality education with aloha, which means that our top priority is a secure, well-lit campus with a trained, professional and courteous security staff.

“At the start of another school year, we have worked hard to meet the challenges of ensuring everyone’s safety and peace of mind while on campus,” she said.

Full press release here.

UH Hilo campus will resume operation Thursday, Aug. 16. UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College closed on Aug. 14 and 15 due to Hurricane Flossie.

Read full press release here.

Due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Flossie, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College campuses will remain closed on Wednesday, Aug. 15. All employees are advised to stay at home.

Read the full press release at: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/news/press/view/586/

Based upon the recommendations of Hawai‘i County Civil Defense recommendations, all scheduled activities for the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community college are cancelled for Tuesday, August 14, 2007. Because of projected weather related hazards from Hurricane Flossie, all non-essential faculty and staff need not report to work, on Tuesday, August 14, 2007.

UHH Student Housing will remain in operation along with Residential Food Service.

At this time, all campus operations are expected to resume as scheduled on Wednesday, August 15, 2007. However, due to the unpredictability of the effects of Hurricane Flossie, please monitor the major media and check for updates posted on the UH Hilo Web site, http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/.

For more information please see the web sites listed below.

Hurricane Flossie updates (from Central Pacific Hurricane Center)

Hawaii County Civil Defense Web Page

Hurricane Preparedness Guide (from Hawaii County Civil Defense)

UHH Emergency Operations Plan