Men ■ng Continued from Page 1 vulnerability to bacteria. Telltale signs of bacterial meningitis include a stiff neck, fever, fatigue, nausea, and rash, among others. Patients who con tract severe cases may bleed underneath their skin. The less serious viral form shares many of the same symp toms, but it is relatively short lived. In further contrast to the bacterial form, exposure to viral strains does not require treat ment. Meningococcal disease typi cally affects about 2,600 people yearly. It kills about 300, accord ing to information from the health services section of Penn State’s Web site (psu.edu/ UHS/mening.html). However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said college students as a group do not appear to face a greater risk of developing the illness than other people in that age cat egory. Martz said approximately one in 10 people naturally carries meningococcal bacteria in their nose and throat lining. This may provide natural resistance to the disease. She added that during out breaks of meningococcal menin gitis, 95 percent of the popula tion may carry the bacteria, but only about one percent of those exposed actually develop the ill ness. Although meningitis occurs infrequently, some area colleges reported recent cases. Two Shippensburg Univer sity students contracted meningi tis last year, one each in the spring and fall. Those students returned to class healthy, accord ing to Pete Gigliotti, director of Public Relations. Millersville University’s most recent case occurred in 1992, and that student also recovered fully, according to Bonnie Goshen, the school’s nurse practitioner and nursing supervisor. Health officials from several other local colleges and universi ties, including Franklin & Marshall, Elizabethtown, Slip pery Rock, and Bloomsburg also stressed the vaccine’s importance as a preventative measure against the potentially fatal illness. Most Pennsylvania colleges, including Penn State Harrisburg, send a letter to new and returning s Vacc students recommending the Menomune inoculation. However, no plans exist to mandate the shot. “Students are at lower risk, if they are living off campus in an apartment with roommates or friends,” said Pam Koons, marketing manager of University Health Services at University Park. “Although,” she added, “it is a nasty thing when you do get it.” Price presents another obsta cle to mass immunization against meningococcal disease. It may cost at least $7O to $75 just to receive the shot. This fig ure does not include the cost of an office visit. Furthermore, as Koons explained, insurance companies may or may not cover the expense since the immuniza tion is not required. Questions also remain about the vaccine’s effectiveness. Menomune is 85 percent effec tive against four of the five most common strains of bacterial meningitis, but it only lasts three to five years. The shot is, however, largely side-effect free. Some redness and swelling may appear, but it usually lasts two days at most. According to the website, about two percent of recipients develop a low fever. Because it is too soon to gauge how well the vaccine works, few students here have asked for it. Below: Lead singer and guitarist Jon Shanbarger of Devoted Molded stopped by WPSH on Sept. 14 to do an interview and play an acoustic song. The visit was in support of the band's new album “Mr. Bill’s Wild Ride.’ Right: Jon with WPSH staff members Brad Moist, Jesse Gutierrez and Brad Grissinger. ne Recommended In fact, some students doubted their classmates knew about the medicine. “I don’t think many of us know about the vaccination, but I had to get checked for [meningi tis] when I was at Pitt,” said Michele Myers, Public Policy. Other students who knew about the shot chose not to get it. “I don’t have $7O to spend,” Allen Hushon, Secondary Education, Social Studies, said. “If students are going to live in dorms, lower the cost, make it free, or the college should pay.” Since the Student Health Services Office (Olmsted W 102) does not stock the vaccine, people who want it have two other options. One, Martz said, is to visit the Polyclinic Immunization Clinic. They offer the shot for under $5O. The other choice is to see your family doctor. Though Martz believes the best safeguard against infection is to consider Menomune, other measures can lessen the risk. “Cover your mouth and wash your hands. Avoid sharing open containers of alcohol, and don’t share food or cups at large par ties,” she said. Eating well and getting proper rest also helps, as does learning stress management. “Learn how to follow a good lifestyle and pro tect yourself,” Martz added. “That should help in the long ran.” Photo by Jill Karwoski Photo by Jesse Gutierrez ASL Inducts New Members Alpha Sigma Lambda, Theta lota Chapter, the National Honor Society for adults in continuing higher education, held its induc tion ceremony on Sept. 15 in the Gallery Lounge. The audience was welcomed by Charlotte Spector, Student Affairs Specialist and National Councillor for Alpha Sigma Lambda, who has served since 1992 when the charter was grant ed for Penn State Harrisburg. Dr. Janet Widoff, Coordinator of Student Activities, and keynote speaker of the evening, presented a sky-blue box tied with a white satin ribbon as a visual comparison to returning adult students. She says returning adults are "a lot like opening a box," as she unties the white ribbon and lifts the lid off. She explains that adult students often say their ideas, perceptions, and outlooks on things "open" as a result of returning to school. It has been a way of "changing their boundaries," she notes. Widoff has done much research into the subject as well as having been a returning adult student herself. She says that most adults "come back to school because of a change, a trigger sit uation." A "multiplicity of changes" may include such things as a job change, the last child going to school, dissatisfaction with a pre sent job, or dissolution of a rela- tionship. "You don't do it alone," Widoff expands. "You have to juggle much to accomplish this." A sup port system of family, friends and fellow students is a vital link to academic achievement for adults. She uses a trip or journey as a metaphor to describe the process and challenges adults face as stu dents. She warns that like on a trip or journey, "a plan" is often in place, but the unexpected can always occur. Obstacles must sometimes be worked around and alternative plans put in place. Dr. Susan Richman, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, also addressed the audi ence. She says one of the greatest joys and "most rewarding experi ences a teacher could ever have," comes when you see in the eyes of a student, "I understand it," and the development of a love of life-long learning. By Deb Hoff Capital Times Staff Writer Donna Howard, Assistant Coordinator of Non-Traditional Student Affairs, Dory Crater, ASL Member 1995 and Donna Rentzel, ASL Member 1993, offi ciated the ceremony as pins and certificates were awarded to the newly inducted members. Crater establishes that Alpha Sigma Lambda stands for “first in scholarship and leadership.” "Learning is a continuing process, dedicated to seeking the truth," she explains, "and leader ship is influencing people to achieve a common good." Rentzel explains the symbol ism on the banner which depicts an open book, denoting love of knowledge, a lighted Roman can dle, symbolizing wisdom, and a torch which is the symbol of life. Theta lota Chapter President Etta Tidwell paid tribute to the new members. "We are all very proud of you," she stressed, "and we want to be a vital presence on campus." She set goals encouraging other adults, to help administra tion understand what is important to adult learners, and serving as mentors to new students. Membership in Alpha Sigma Lambda recognizes a high level of academic achievement. Membership requirements in clude being a student 24 years or older, earning 30 credits in a degree program at PSH, and hav ing a grade point average in the top ten percent of that group, with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Spector points out that the competition is tough because of the top ten percent grouping. "I don't think there are any [GPAs] below 3.8" this year, she notes. Alpha Sigma Lambda’s pur pose is to provide an association of adult students who have demonstrated academic excel lence at PSH, as stated in its by laws. It is a non-profit organiza tion devoted to the advancement of scholarship and needs of adult students. Spector reflects that the first members inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda at Penn State Harrisburg was in May 1993. Founded in 1945 at Northwestern University, there are now 245 chapters thoughout the United States. A scholarship fund is spon sored by the Chapters and is open to all students on campus.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers