On multiple occasions Perris Drew, a junior theatre arts major, came across students that did not wash their hands after a trip to the restroom on campus.

Joseph Giel, a senior broadcast production and programming major, believes that students should show more courtesy by throwing away used tissues.

Evan Pearson, junior sports, art and entertainment management major, noticed that students often sneeze on keyboards in the campus library.

As flu season continues to affect individuals on campus, students are catching these “bugs” easily, especially since some students are failing when it comes to protecting others from these germs that are rapidly spreading.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, about 600,000 to 2.4 million Pennsylvanians catch a flu each year, which is roughly five to twenty percent of the state itself. 

On their website, www.portal.state.pa.us, it states that individuals with flu or common cold symptoms should “prevent the spread of germs by staying home from school, workplace, if possible.” 

Not only does the Pennsylvania Department of Health recommend people to isolate themselves from the public, but they also recommend that ill individuals should rest, continue to eat, dress according to the weather and most importantly, keep hands clean by washing them after sneezing or coughing into them. 

Drew believes more signs should be placed around campus, especially the campus library in particular. According to Drew, this would raise more awareness on campus amongst students that often utilize the computers in labs, books in the library and studying areas in the University Center.

“They just walk right out,” Drew said. “Have these signs that say ‘Be careful. Be aware of your surroundings and wash your hands,’ I…appreciate the hand sanitizers that are hung up on the walls.”

Giel realized that some students often attend class even when they are sick with the flu or cold. He believes that students should be more thoughtful and isolate themselves from the public until they are well.

“Keep it contained. If you know that you’re sick, stay in your dorm. Don’t spread it around” Giel said. “Get better. Get it over with.” 

Pearson, a commuter, said that he usually sees people sneeze and cough on keyboards at least once or twice a day. He has also seen people blatantly leave food remnants in the campus lab.  

“Some people bring food in and leave crap on the keyboards,” Pearson said in the library. 

Pearson said that he often witnesses individuals leaving the restroom without properly washing their hands. 

“It just happens regularly,” Pearson said. “I’ll be in the bathroom [and] someone else would walk out as soon as they’re done. It happens on a regular basis.” 

“They could put up flyers, or there could be more moist towelettes or something on campus,” Pearson said.

Ryan Howard, a senior biotechnology major, is often in the library to use the available computers. After seeing a few students poorly handle their sneezes and coughs, Howard has made it his duty to prepare his computer and surrounding area before using it.

“I’m always wiping off my computers before using them,” Howard said. “They should study proper hygiene. There’s a lot of hand sanitizers around campus. Utilize those. I know I do.” 

Howard believes the campus should be proactive during the flu season.

“Free hand sanitizers should be handed out to us students,” Howard said while somebody was coughing hard near the book stands on the lower level. “There should be hand sanitizers on every level.” 

“Carry Kleenexes. If you want to, carry sani-wipes,” Giel said. “Other people use this stuff. Don’t be greedy.”