University of Virginia Library

Flu Forces Closing Of University Doors Tomorrow

Shannon Notice Makes
Classes Today Optional

By Dave Murphy

At approximately 5:15 last
night, word was released to The
Cavalier Daily that the University
will not hold classes tomorrow or
Friday of this week.

William H. Fishback, Director of
Information Services here at the
University, released first word of
the decision and President Edgar F.
Shannon quickly confirmed the
announcement with the following
message:

"The University of Virginia will
not hold classes on Thursday and
Friday of this week, and students
will not be required to attend
classes on Wednesday.

Wide Incidence

"The wide incidence of
influenza or similar ailments
indicates to our physicians that
many more students may be ill
within a few days. They will
probably not require
hospitalization and can be handled
best at home. Those who are ill in
the dormitories and off-Grounds
housing will be treated there until
they are able to travel.

"Housing and food services will
continue as regularly scheduled and
University offices will remain
open."

Rumors circulated yesterday
that the University would close
down on Thursday, but the first
official statement from Alan D.
Williams, Dean of Student Affairs,
was that classes would remain open
at least through today. Andrew D.
Hart, Director of Student Health,
had no comment to make as to the
number of students reporting with
the flu.

No Information

Mr. Fishback said that, although
he had no information about school
being closed down, he did have
figures on Student Health's
attendance yesterday. He reported
that 220 students reported
yesterday afternoon followed by an
additional 65 last night.

Although not all of the students
had, or said that they had, the flu, a
substantial number of them were
reportedly ill with the disease. Mr.
Fishback also stated that the
University Hospital, Martha
Jefferson Hospital, and hospitals in
Richmond instituted a ban on
visitors with the exception of next
of kin. He also cautioned about
using the word "epidemic" in
referring to the current illness here
at the University. He said the
condition is not yet severe enough
to be termed an epidemic so
students who do not have the
disease have no need for great
alarm.

Definitely Tomorrow

Assistant Dean of Student
Affairs, Robert Canevari, stated,
when asked about the possibility of
classes being canceled today, that
classes "probably will be held
tomorrow." Mr. Williams added, "I
think school will definitely be open
tomorrow.

At 3:30 yesterday afternoon,
Mr. Williams and Chester H. Titus,
Director of the University Housing
Office, held a meeting which was
reportedly organized for purposes
other than to discuss dismissing
school.

The University is the only institution
hard hit by the disease. According
to a U.P.I. release, the "epidemic
claims an estimated million
sufferers in the New York City and
Los Angeles areas alone."

The National Communicable
Disease Center in Atlanta, Georgia
says that 35 states already have
been struck by the influenza. More
are expected.

Major Universities

Five major universities in
Washington, D.C. have been closed
along with numerous other schools,
colleges, and universities
throughout the nation, and
according to a spokesman for the
N.C.D.C., "It appears we're at the
beginning of a national epidemic,
not at the peak of it."

Among other schools and
universities in this area, The
Citadel, Mary Washington, and St.
Anne's were closed today.
Washington and Lee along with
V.M.I. are still open.

No "Bad Cases"

The number of cases of the
Hong Kong strain at the University
Hospital last night was reportedly
not large. A doctor there stated
that "no bad cases have been
brought in." He said that there "are
a relatively few cases as compared
to last night. ..

At approximately 5:15
yesterday evening, word was
released to The Cavalier Daily that,
because of the flu toll among
students, the University will not
hold classes tomorrow or Friday
of this week.