Flu: UNCP has had a history of Influenza (Flu), Gastroenteritis/Diarrhea Virus, and MRSA. "We have had a history of a lot of students and staff with the Flu a couple of years ago," Student Health Services, Cora Bullard said.

With this history, students are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, keep sores covered, and "stay up to date on flu vaccines," Cora Bullard said. Student Health Services offers flu vaccines and the meningitis shot.

In order to prevent diseases from spreading, "we post flyers, posters, articles in newspapers, provide workshops, offer flu vaccines, send out emails and post information on the Student Health Services Web Site. The Athletic Department also cleans the equipment and uniforms with the proper cleaning agents," Bullard said.

Student Health Services advises "limited contact with someone who has a contagious illness and give sick notes for classes missed," Bullard said.

Click these links for more information on MRSA or Mengingcoccal Disease.

Mold: Mold has been a serious threat to the UNCP campus. Dr. Frank Trapp, of the political science department, who is now at Methodist had discovered mold in the Dial building and it became public issue in 2003-2004. Trapp coughed and wheezed for week suspecting black mold and confirmed it after pulling back deteriorated wallpaper in his office.

“It was like I was in a hurricane of mold,” he said.

There were 17 different kinds of mold within the Dial building and it was closed off days later. One of the types of mold was the toxic Stachybotrys spore. When the Chancellor Allen C. Meadors held a meeting to update faculty and staff on the situation, they had trouble hearing because of Trapp’s cough.

The mold problem was caused by poor construction and rain seeping through the windows and down the walls of the building. The building was closed off for the next year and re-opened in 2004. Mold isn’t the only problem that has spread around campus.

Certain chemicals in the Oxendine building and Locklear hall are potentially dangerous, so student’s in the science and art departments should be especially careful. There are health risks associated with any substance one uses. Classes in these buildings have been using chemicals that may harm students if they do not use the proper safety clothing and equipment.

"We have to teach and take precautions so we do not expose ourselves or our students to those risks. UNCP's Hazardous Waste is more of an issue when it comes to disposal of it. The university follows the state procedures for this and we are in full accordance with it in art and science," Stephen Robison of the art department said.

Click here for more information about mold.