Radford University is currently OPEN ( ) and operating under normal conditions. During emergencies or periods of inclement weather, alert notices will be posted on this web site and will also be available by contacting the RU switchboard (540-831-5000) and by tuning in to local media outlets.

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• Information on MRSA
• Alert Notification Service
• Emergency Preparedness Statement

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Information on MRSA

Much publicity has occurred recently about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, creating a growing public concern.  To help you understand MRSA and to help you take appropriate precautions, we offer the following information from the October 2007 guidance from the Virginia Department of Health on MRSA sent to local school districts by the New River Health District (NRHD).

What is MRSA?
MRSA is resistant to several antibiotics which are often used to treat skin infections.  The NRHD notes that “fortunately, MRSA infections, especially if caught early, can usually be treated with drainage, dry heat, and bandage changes -- and sometimes when these measures are not sufficient, certain effective antibiotics can be used.”  Dr. Jody Hershey, Director of the New River Health District, reports that

• Most cases of (noninvasive and invasive) “staph” are still caused by organisms that are sensitive to most antibiotics (that is, antibiotics successfully treat these organisms);
• The vast majority of MRSA infections are not invasive, rather they involve only the skin, which is more easily treated and is not as serious;
• MRSA infections are not more contagious than staph organisms that are still sensitive to most antibiotics.

What do you look for?
Staphylococcus aureus or staph is commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.  Occasionally, a scrape, cut, or other injury that breaks the skin can become infected and lead to more serious illness.  Such staph-infected wounds can appear as a “pimple, pustule or boil.”

How is MRSA and other bacteria transmitted?
MRSA can be transmitted from person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact with someone carrying the bacteria or infected with the bacteria, or through shared contaminated personal items (towels, razors, soap, deodorant, clothing, and water bottles).

How can you help prevent infection?
The best way to help prevent MRSA or any other infection is still the simple but thorough act of washing your hands frequently.  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) and shower immediately after exercising or sports competition.  All liquid soap in RU restroom dispensers is effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including MRSA.

• Cover skin abrasions or cuts with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, etc. that come into contact with your bare skin.
• Use a barrier such as clothing or a towel when using shared equipment such as exercise machines and benches.
• Clean surfaces around you frequently.
• Wash gym and workout clothing in hot water and use a dryer to dry clothes completely.

If you think you may have a skin infection, please contact the Student Health Center at 831-5111 between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. M, W, TH, F; and 9:30 am - 6:00 pm T.  After hours or on weekends, you can speak with a registered nurse by calling the Nurseline at 1-866-205-2164.

For more information about MRSA, please refer to the following links:

www.cdc.gov

www.vdh.state.va.us

Alert Notification Service

Beginning this fall, Radford University is providing an alert notification service to students, faculty and staff. The new alert system enables university officials to blast text messages, emails and phone messages to as many as 12,000 subscribers.

Students, faculty and staff will continue to receive emergency notification through regular RU communication channels. Therefore, do not use Radford University phone numbers or email addresses in this special alert notification service. Only enter cell or off-campus phone numbers and personal email addresses in this form.

Directions to submit emergency contact information:

1. Log on to the Radford University portal at https://www.portal.radford.edu/
2. Click on RU Alert Service.  This will take you to the page on which you can submit your emergency contact information.
3. Once you enter your primary personal contact information and your alternate emergency contact information, click the submit button at the bottom of the page.

Once you have submitted your contact information, you are now registered in Radford University's alert notification system. In an emergency, you will receive messages through RU communication channels and your personal communication channels that you submitted to the system.

Sign up now to receive text message alerts on your cell phone.

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Emergency Preparedness Statement

The safety of the Radford University campus is a high priority to all of us. Since the April 16 tragedy at Virginia Tech, a variety of staff, students and faculty have been evaluating our emergency-response plans and protocols. The University has an Emergency Response Plan that is reviewed periodically and can be activated quickly in a crisis. Specific RU staff are trained and ready to respond to emergencies.

We have installed an alert notification system as part of a series of initiatives to enhance security and emergency communications on campus.

RU is able to communicate quickly with students, faculty and staff via text messages, emails and phone messages. All subscribers will be able to receive alerts on multiple devices, including cell phones, computers, personal digital assistants and land phones.

RU is finalizing installation of a siren and public address system as an additional means of alerting campus during an emergency. The siren will be audible throughout campus as will the public address broadcast. In an emergency, the siren will alert those on campus that instructions will follow immediately through the public address system.

RU continues the ongoing process of reviewing all of its safety protocols and procedures and its emergency preparedness plans to take best advantage of current technology and industry best-practice standards.