Inside WFU – news for faculty and staff

Campus Phone Service Operating Normally

February 14, 2019

This message was emailed to all faculty, staff and students on Feb. 14 by Wake Forest Communications and External Relations:

Phone service to Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Campus has been restored and is operating normally at this time.

Additional outages may be possible if the University’s phone service provider continues to troubleshoot.

Information Systems encourages anyone who experiences further issues to report them by emailing help@nullwfu.edu or submitting a ticket online.

Phone Outage on Campus

February 14, 2019

This message was emailed to all faculty, staff and students on Feb. 14 by Wake Forest Communications and External Relations:

Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Campus is experiencing issues with landline phones on the campus network. Information Systems is looking into the issues with the service provider. Apparently, the issue affects a wider area in the city than just the campus. The University will provide an update when the issues are resolved. At this time, it is unknown when that will be.

Anyone who needs to reach Wake Forest University Police Department should call 336-759-0443.

'Check Your Blind Spots' tour coming to Wake Forest Feb. 18

February 14, 2019

The CEO Action Check Your Blind Spots Tour will visit Wake Forest on Feb. 18 from 10:30 am. to 3:30 p.m.  The visit includes a tour bus that will park next to Hearn Plaza in Parking Lot N.

The Check your Blind Spots tour is designed to give people the opportunity to learn about and explore ways to mitigate unconscious bias in their everyday lives. Through a series of immersive and interactive elements, participants are exposed to the nuances of unconscious bias, and also have the chance to sign the I Act On pledge to address personal biases and drive inclusive behaviors.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the educational experience.

Additional information is available here.

Meiburg appointed chairman of state's Environmental Management Commission

February 13, 2019

Stan Meiburg

Stan Meiburg, director of Wake Forest’s graduate programs in sustainability, has assumed chairmanship of North Carolina’s Environmental Management Commission (EMC).  The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced Meiburg’s appointment this week.

Meiburg’s term will continue until June 30, 2021.

“Dr. Meiburg is a proven leader in air and water protection, and his expertise will serve the people of North Carolina well in the coming term,” said Assistant Secretary for the Environment Sheila Holman.

Meiburg recently served as chair of the EMC’s Air Quality Committee.

The commission is responsible for adopting rules for the protection, preservation and enhancement of the state’s air and water resources.

Meiburg joined Wake Forest in 2017 as director of the graduate programs in sustainability.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Wake Forest in 1975.

In 39 years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Meiburg served as acting deputy administrator, deputy regional administrator of Region 4 (Atlanta) and Region 6 (Dallas), acting regional administrator in Regions 4 and 6, national EPA liaison to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Region 6 director of Air, Pesticides and Toxics Division. He also led work on the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments through EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

The Environmental Management Commission was authorized by the N.C. General Assembly under General Statute 143B-283 and is a 15-member commission appointed by the Governor, the Senate Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House. 2019 meetings are set for the second Thursdays of March, May, July, September and November.

Note: This story draws extensively from the state’s announcement this week.

A message about the flu from the Student Health Service

February 12, 2019

This announcement was emailed to students, faculty and staff on behalf of the Student Health Service on Feb. 12:

The Student Health Service has begun to see large numbers of students with influenza, “the flu.”  Typical symptoms include sudden onset of fever, body aches, headaches, sore throat, cough, and fatigue.  Influenza is typically a self-limiting illness that lasts from 5-7 days.  Influenza is a highly contagious illness that is easily spread in a classroom setting.

The purpose of this e-mail is to inform faculty, staff and students of this outbreak and to encourage appropriate public health measures with respect to class attendance and participation in other mandated activities.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that anyone with symptoms of influenza stay home from work and/or school until the fever associated with the illness has been resolved for at least 24 hours. These individuals should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

To reduce the spread of this illness, students who are experiencing symptoms of the flu should not attend class, labs, or other gatherings in other settings including social gatherings, the library and eating in public dining venues. Meal Tickets are available and can be obtained from your RA or the dining services website. Please read the Student Health Service’s FAQ about the Flu for more information.

The Student Health Service and CDC are strongly encouraging individuals to get the flu vaccine. The “flu shot” is still the most effective way to become protected against the flu. Flu vaccines are available at the Student Health Service Monday- Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. without an appointment. The vaccine can also be obtained at local pharmacies.

In addition to receiving your vaccine, the following tips can help prevent spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you are sick, avoid close contact with others.

Please visit shs.wfu.edu for information about the flu, how to care for yourself (medications), meal tickets and prevention of illness.

Additional general information about the flu can be found from the CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm