California State University, Fresno’s Department of Risk Management and Sustainability and University Health and Psychological Services (Student Health Center) are preparing for what could be a challenging flu season during the 2009-2010 academic year. 

Fresno State officials have been monitoring the situation throughout the summer break to be ready for the beginning of classes August 24th.  The campus community will be kept informed as developments warrant.

When the seasonal flu vaccine become available, Fresno State will partner with the Fresno County Public Health Department to provide vaccinations to those in the highest-risk groups, which includes young adults who make up the biggest percentage of the university’s students.

During the summer, four students on campus were confirmed positive for H1N1 and there were three or four other probable cases. All were sent home, recovered and returned to work or school.

H1N1 symptoms are very similar to those for regular seasonal flu: fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, head and body aches, lack of appetite and lethargy.  There may be additional gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with H1N1.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend anyone with flu symptoms stay home and contact their health care provider.

Because people can be exposed to flu viruses almost anywhere and anytime, there are some common-sense recommendations to minimize transmission of the flu and exposure to it:

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners.
* Avoid close contact with sick people.
* Avoid social gatherings if you are ill or if you have medical conditions that put you at risk for flu complications.
* Get your flu shot this fall.

For general questions about the H1N1 flu, call the Fresno County Department of Public Health’s toll-free information at 888-993-3003 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Campus information is available from the Department of Risk Management and Sustainability, 559-278-7422 or the Student Health Center, 559-278-2734.

A lot of libraries have more books and most have more videos.  Some have more recordings or computers.  A few have more maps.

Associate Dean David Tyckoson and Julie Hernandez welcome you to the Madden Library.

One thing that the Henry Madden Library has that no other library in the state can match: a staff totally dedicated to service and to being the friendliest, most welcoming and helpful library staff.  We are - quite literally - “Here to help.”

It starts when you get here. Just through the doors of the new Table Mountain Rancheria Tower is the Welcome Desk, where staff greet visitors, provide directions and a map and answer basic questions.  The Welcome Desk is designed to be your first stop in the new library.

This welcoming environment extends to every section of the library through faculty, staff and student assistants, all ready to answer visitor’s questions.  Each worker wears a red Madden Library badge and lanyard and each is available to help anyone find materials, use the compact shelves, print from a computer or find the elevators.

For more in-depth research assistance, for the first-floor Reference Desk’s reference librarians and student assistants always are available to help locate a specific book, look for articles on a topic, retrieve statistical data, identify search terms or brainstorm a research topic.  The Reference Desk is available by phone and online for those who can’t get to the library.

The new Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno.

How people get in touch isn’t as important as ensuring that when anyone needs research assistance, the new and improved library offers it, as well as specialized research in certain subject areas.

* The Music & Media Department (third floor) serves anyone studying or enjoying music.

* As its name implies, the Teacher Resource Center (third floor) provides lesson plans, children’s books and instructional materials for K-12 teachers.

* The Maps and Government Information Department (first floor) contains the largest collection of maps at any California State University library along with relevant publications from federal and state agencies. 

* The Special Collections Research Center (fourth floor south) is home to rare books, local history and several specialized and unique collections.

* The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature (third floor south) contains the largest collection of historic children’s books west of the Mississippi.

Each area is intended to provide sophisticated assistance to support programs and researchers in those areas.  There are also liaison librarians assigned to specific colleges or departments for advanced research in specific areas, which is especially useful to graduate students working on theses and faculty undertaking research projects.

Although staffers provide a variety of ways to help library visitors, there are many ways for them to help themselves.  New iMacs throughout the library run either Windows or Mac operating systems at the user’s discretion.  Need something more portable? Laptops, available for student and faculty checkout (Collection Level) for four hours at a time, may be taken anywhere on campus.

Reference librarians are available to assist students.

“Here to help” is integral to the design of the new library, too.  The goal was to give people the best spots on each floor, so study areas are near the windows and the books and other materials are in the back, away from the light.  In addition, the building is designed to meet a variety of study needs and learning styles.  There are quiet areas, group and individual study rooms, lots of power outlets for laptops and wide-open study rooms. 

The library is a large and complex place. The Madden Library staff is committed to making certain this beautiful new university center of knowledge meets everyone’s individual needs by staying true to three little words: “Here to help.”

- David Tyckoson is Associate Dean of Library Services at the Madden Library

For more on this story, visit Fresno State Magazine.

The Community Service  Scholarship Program (CSSP) was  established to provide funds to  financially assist students who
have been placed with nonprofit  agencies throughout the Fresno area.   Assignments in the CSSP are structured to relate to a student’s academic major. In order to provide enough time for a “real world” experience, each student performs an assignment of 150 hours with his or her agency.  Upon completion of their assignments,  students earn three units of academic credit and a
$1,500 scholarship.

For more information on the Community Service  Scholarships program, contact Aleta Wolfe, Career  Experience Counselor in Career Services, at:  (559) 278-2381.

The cold and flu season is still upon us and students should take extra
care to stay healthy as they begin the spring semester. Remind your  student to take these basic steps to avoid getting sick:

.  Eat a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruit
.  Exercise regularly to boost the body’s immunity
.  Get plenty of sleep
.  Reduce stress

A 2004 survey of Fresno State students studied the factors that negatively impact academic performance.  Stress (30%), illness (27%) and sleep difficulties (19%) were some of the top distractions reported by Fresno State students.

Here at Fresno State our prime concern is the welfare of our students. The Wellness Services program was created to help students establish healthy lifestyles. If your student complains of illness or stress, remind them that there are a number of services available to them right here on campus. The health center is conveniently located on campus and most services are covered by the mandatory health fee that is part of registration costs. The health center can diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.

These services are provided on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Counseling walk-in hours are from 9-11 AM and 2-4 PM, Monday through Friday.

For more information, visit: http://www.csufresno.edu/health/

It is not uncommon for students to struggle in college classes.  If your student brought home lower grades this past semester, encourage him or her to visit the Learning Center on campus.  The Learning Center  provides a number of services free of charge for
enrolled, CSU Fresno students, specifically designed to enhance their academic performance.

Tutoring sessions are free and focus on subjects like accounting, writing, math, languages, physics and more. The Learning Center also offers workshops on topics such as: how to study, note taking tips, time  management, stress relief, how to create a study
schedule and other academic enhancement skills.

The Learning Center is available  Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Due to an increasing number of student visiting the center, they recently added weekend and evening tutoring from 5-7 pm
Monday through Thursday and 10 am to 2 pm on  Saturdays. The computer lab and in-house resources are also available during those hours.

Encourage your student to take advantage of these  services. For more information visit:  http://csufresno.edu/lc

The Career Services office is available to help students  throughout their college career and beyond. Here are a few tips from the Career Center for parents to consider:

Freshman Tips:
.  Visit Career Services to explore available programs and activities
.  Meet with an academic advisor to select courses that meet your needs based upon your interests and goals
.  Develop a resume online using Optimal Resume
.  Research and pursue part-time and summer jobs in your field of interest

Sophomore Tips:
.  Take introductory courses in the majors you’re  considering and identify career options for a major
.  Begin building marketable leadership skills
.  Consider a paid internship through your department or Career Services
.  Join student clubs and organizations that interest you and match your career goals

Junior Tips:
.  Build skills through activities, volunteer, work and/or
internships
.  Meet with a career counselor to create a job or
graduate school search strategy
.  Learn about interviewing techniques
.  Join a professional association as a student member

Senior Tips:
.  Initiate your job search plan
.  Research prospective employers
.  Fine tune your resume
.  Participate in the On-Campus Recruiting program

For more information, encourage your student to visit the Career
Services office in the Joyal  Administration building, room 256
or visit their website at:  www.FresnoStateCareers.com