All Student Vote Autumn 2018

Combat Freshers' Flu

Combat Freshers' Flu

This Union Notes:

1. ‘Freshers’ Flu’ can affect students at the University of Warwick in the following ways: shivering, fever, exhaustion, nausea, dry cough, sneezing, headache etc[1]

2. A common method to prevent the spread of germs and diseases is the wide-spread usage of antiseptic hand gel dispensers.

3. A flu jab is a widely available service in the United Kingdom with the NHS providing the service for free to those eligible[2] or for a fee for those that are not eligible (i.e. £9.99 at Superdrug as of October 2018)[3] 

4. That the usage of ‘Lecture Capture’ means many students can watch a lecture from home without interacting with other students.

This Union Believes:

1. That measures should be taken to prevent the spread of ‘Freshers’ Flu’ on the student population at the University of Warwick.

2. That ‘Freshers’ Flu’ has a massively detrimental effect on the student population both academically and socially.

3. That the usage of antiseptic hand gel dispensers, uptake of flu jabs, and encouraging ill students to take advantage of lecture capture instead of directly attending lectures at the University of Warwick would be effective steps in preventing the spread of Fresher’s Flu.

This Union Resolves:

1. To mandate the Welfare and Campaigns officer to run an awareness campaign for students coming to the University of Warwick about ‘flu jabs’ and their availability, this awareness campaign should be seen via (but not limited to) on the Warwick SU Website, Twitter, and Facebook, emails sent to Student Union members. This campaign should be intensified as students are returning to Warwick (i.e. beginning of each term).

2. Mandate the Welfare and Campaigns Officer to publicise existing NHS campaigns on winter flu, such as ‘stay well this winter’ and ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ during the University welcome period and in SU welcome guides received by new students.

3. Mandate the Welfare and Campaigns Officer to encourage students to follow these NHS guidelines, register with the University of Warwick Health Centre, and receive the flu-jab if they are eligible.