Since 1966
Vol. 39, Iss. 15
Monday, Jan 26, 2015
IN BRIEF NEWS
UCCSScribe.com University of Colorado Colorado Springs
National measles concerns grow, almost 1,000 students have immunization exemption
Financial aid Workshops in place to help students with loans, debt management 2
Rec Center Delay Construction delayed several weeks 3
CULTURE
‘Detroit’ Play highlights struggles of relationships, addictions 4
Christina Bergling Alumna inspired by zombies for her new book 5
OPINION
New Lodge Students should see the positives of campus construction 9
Appreciation We should appreciate the city we live in 9
SPORTS
Hayley Gantt Sophomore loves running and photography 11
Women’s and Men’s basketball How the teams did over winter break 12
Penrose Hospital, left, and the UCCS Lane Center, right. Penrose hosted a measles patient late last year.
Alexander Nedd anedd@uccs.edu
The number of people suffering from a measles outbreak linked to Disneyland in California has jumped to 52. The disease has thrust opinions on vaccinations into the national spotlight and sparked conversation across the country as to what people should do to protect themselves. The epidemic was confirmed after early investigations revealed at least nine people had travelled to Disneyland in December 2014, and had contracted the disease upon returning. This measles outbreak is the largest to hit the United States in almost a quarter century, reports the Washington Post. A new trend of parents not vaccinating their children is considered a contributing factor. The UCCS Health Clinic is ready to assist should an outbreak such as measles occur on campus. Stephanie Hanenberg, director of the Student Health Center, explained what would happen should an outbreak occur on campus. “We would immediately notify the El Paso Public Health Department,” Hanenberg said. “They would give us the guidance and instruct us as to what we would
need to handle the matter.” Per UCCS policy, students are required to show proof of various immunizations before their first semester. They have to prove they have received MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) shots, or their account could be put on hold while the university determines their enrollment. But there is a personal exemption form that students can fill out declaring themselves free from the protocol. Almost 1,000 students have this exemption, said Hanenberg. “Those are the students that are at highest risk of being [sick],” she said. Students on campus have mixed thoughts on the need for vaccinations. “I think that is quite a high number” said Erik Paulson, a double major in biology and philosophy, of the nearly 1,000 students who are not vaccinated at UCCS. “It doesn’t surprise me. More and more people are wondering if the short term benefits outweigh the longterm risks [of immunizations]. I believe everyone should be vaccinated because it’s not just a personal decision, it affects [everyone] as a whole.” “Everyone should be vaccinated because there are a lot of diseases out there and it would prevent any other student from getting it as well,” Ever Olivas, sophomore
mechanical and electrical engineering, said. “I think that vaccinations should be optional for certain [diseases] such as measles because there are CDC systems in place that can control outbreaks and things like that,” John Shymanik, senior psychology major, said. Hanenberg explained various steps that would follow an outbreak on campus including searching through school records, getting in touch with those that might have been exposed and finding out who is not vaccinated. “We have a plan for infectious disease, and will follow instructions should anyone be quarantined,” she said. “I do think we will see various outbreaks. Colorado has a pretty low immunization rate unfortunately,” Hanenberg said when asked if outbreaks could become more common. But Hanenberg believes students are in good hands with the clinic here at UCCS. “The health department sends out notices to all [clinics] in the state that has what to look for and screen questions. It’s very helpful.” she said. “All our medical staff and all our office staff read it to know what we are looking for.” A patient was brought into a Colorado Springs hospital with the virus on Jan. 8. According to a news release
megan lunsford | The Scribe
from the El Paso County Public Health Association, the patient was hospitalized at Penrose Main located in downtown Colorado Springs. The patient has since made a full recovery but the news release expressed concern over any patients or visitors that might have had contact with the patient before her full diagnosis, a number estimated to be almost 300 people. News releases also explained how to check for symptoms of the disease, which include “fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and a rash that usually begins on the face 2-4 days after the onset of other symptoms and typically spreads downward to the rest of the body.” “People with measles need bed rest, fluids and control of fever. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem,” concluded the El Paso County Public Health report. The vaccine is considered to be effective, but religious and personal exemptions do exist in Colorado. For more information on measles and tips on how to stay healthy visit cdc.gov/ measles/vaccination. The Student Health Center offers a variety of services for students including immunizations. They are located at the bottom of the parking garage and can be reached by phone at 255-4444.