What Should You Do?

If you receive a text of an act of violence in your immediate area (i.e., active assaulter/shooter, campus violence, etc.):

• Scan and assess your situation.
• Consider your options and act.
• Familiarize yourself with your environment.
• Go to a room if you are not in one.
• Lock and block doors.
• Turn out lights and stay low.
• Put your phone on vibrate.
• Remain quiet and calm; listen for activity, signs of help or direction.
• Local police (911) or university officials will secure the scene. 
• Announcements through the Emergency Notification System.

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Stay inside and look for lowest level room with interior walls. Stairwells, bathrooms and closets are locations.

• Put as many walls as possible between you and the exterior of building.
• Avoid interior and exterior doors.
• Move away from areas where cleaning supplies (any chemicals) or fuel is stored.
• Secure all doors.

For any number of incidents including fire, chemical spill, gas/utility leak, or severe weather:

• Follow signs to exit building.
• Help those who need extra assistance.
• Head to designated safe point.

The University does conduct fire drills and will be coordinating them throughout the year on campus to prepare our community. Our process is as follows:

• Activation of the notification system: Pulling of the fire alarm.
• Response of the community:
  • Evacuate the building in a calm, orderly manner.
  • Follow instructions from the emergency personnel.
• Response of trained designated emergency responders: Evaluate and address situation.
• End of incident: When notified by emergency personnel, community members return to normal activities.

If someone is in need of medical attention:

• Remain calm.
• Call Public Safety at 215-572-2999/cell or x2999/campus phone. For off-campus medical emergencies, call 911. Public Safety will respond to a situation in which any staff member, student, or visitor of the University requires emergency medical assistance.
• Unless it is unsafe to do so, remain on the scene until Public Safety arrives.
• Do not move the injured person unless there is danger of further harm.
• Keep the injured person warm.
• Do not exceed your training or knowledge when attempting to render first aid.

• Stay in your room and rest! ALSO, WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
• Keep your fever down; take Tylenol or Ibuprofen, two tablets every 4 hours—(Extra Strength Tylenol, two tablets every 8 hours)
• Stay hydrated
• Rest, sleep—DO NOT GO TO CLASS/PRACTICE
• Email your professors and coaches
• Prescription drugs for the flu are recommended to be used only for high-risk populations (i.e., chronic illness, asthma, immune-compromised patients)
• You may return to class after being fever free for 24 hours
• Call Student Health Services (215-527-2966) or email (shs@arcadia.edu) with any questions

About COVID-2019

Transmission

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common throughout the world. These viruses can live in animals and, at times, evolve and infect people, before spreading through human to human contact. Human coronaviruses spread just like the flu or a cold-through the air by coughing or sneezing, through close personal contact, like touching or shaking hands; by touching an object or surface with the viruses on it; and occasionally, through fecal contamination.

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Currently, there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take. However, as a reminder, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as the cold, flu, and COVID-19, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu vaccine.

At Student Health Services, we are taking precautions to identify cases as early as possible should they occur among members of the University community in coordination with local and state health departments as per our standard practice.

If you become sick with respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever) within 14 days of returning from travel, you should contact SHS.

If you are unable to connect with a member of the Arcadia SHS team for consultation and choose to go to another healthcare provider, please make sure they are aware of your recent travel history, including your travel itinerary, destination(s), length of stay and airports you visited.  Faculty and staff should consult with their primary care physician.

For More Information

• The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) established a website for up-to-date information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

• If you have specific medical questions about coronavirus and your health, you can contact Student Health Services at 215-572-2966 or shs@arcadia.edu.

• Individuals traveling internationally should be aware of the CDC’s specific guidance for travelers. University-sponsored travelers should consult with Dan Devery, Travel Health and Safety Manager: deveryd@arcadia.edu.

Ebola Information

Arcadia University is monitoring recommendations by the CDC and has taken many steps to be informed and prepared. For students, staff, and faculty on the Glenside campus, Student Health Services has teamed with Abington Hospital’s Ebola Triage Unit, which has generously provided guidelines and screening information[LINK] for the general community. Arcadia recommends that you review the Abington Hospital Ebola Information Guide to inform yourself before and after you travel.

Screening

Diagnosing Ebola in someone who has been infected for only a few days is difficult, because the early symptoms, such as fever, are nonspecific to Ebola infection and are seen often in patients with more commonly occurring diseases such as the flu or viral infection.

If a person is concerned that he or she displays the early symptoms of Ebola after being in an area where Ebola is present, the first contact should be the Abington Hospital Ebola Triage Unit at 215-481-6866 for an over-the-phone screening in the Montgomery County, Pa., area.

• Remain calm, and stay where you are.
• Evacuate ONLY if instructed to do so by emergency personnel or supervisor.
• Call Public Safety at at 215-572-2999/cell or x2999/campus phone and describe:
  • Your location.
  • What areas are affected by the power outage.
  • How long the power has been out.
  • Any significant water damage, flooding, gas leak, or any other major utility failure.
  • Any injuries.
  • Stay on the phone until released by the dispatcher.
• Turn off all electrical devices such as computers as damage can occur once power is restored.
• Laboratory personnel should secure all experiments and unplug electrical equipment before leaving.
• All chemicals should be returned to their proper storage place.
• Provide appropriate ventilation by opening all windows and doors.
• Evacuate immediately if you are unable to provide appropriate ventilation for chemicals; call Public Safety.
• DO NOT open cold-rooms, refrigerators, or other temperature-sensitive areas.
• DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
  • If caught inside an elevator during a power outage:
  • Remain calm.
  • DO NOT attempt to open the elevator door by shaking, jarring, or prying open the elevator door unless directed to do so by emergency personnel.
  • Press the emergency button or call Public Safety at 215-572-2999/cell or x2999/campus phone and tell the dispatcher: Your location; What floor you are near; Any injuries; Stay on the phone until released by the dispatcher.

• Remain calm.
• Stay away from the package.
• DO NOT allow anyone to handle or go near the package.
• If a suspicious package is discovered while handling, avoid dropping, throwing, or any other abrupt movement; gently set the package down in a secluded area that has been evacuated.
• DO NOT use any cell phones, radios, or other wireless devices around the package.
• MOVE AWAY FROM THE PACKAGE and call Public Safety at at 215-572-2999/cell or x2999/campus phone.
• State the location of the package and provide a description.
• Stay on the phone until released by the dispatcher.
• If you touched the package, immediately wash your hands, arms, etc. with soap and water for 15 minutes.

• Stay inside and look for lowest level room with interior walls. Stairwells, bathrooms and closets are locations.
• Put as many walls as possible between you and the exterior of building.
• Avoid interior and exterior doors.
• Move away from areas where cleaning supplies (any chemicals) or fuel is stored.
• Secure all doors.
• Secure or remove from your shelter all items that are not secure (office supplies, items on shelves, knives, scissors, etc.)