Jason Koski/University Photo

Volunteers from across campus assembled 1,000 flu kits for ill students Sept. 11 in Bartels Hall. The volunteers were mostly Cornell human resource specialists. Flu kits, which contain basic self-care supplies, help support students recovering at home.

On most Friday afternoons, Ruby Brown untangles financial and administrative issues at the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions. But on Sept. 11, she was in Bartels Hall helping put together 1,000 flu kits for ill students. More than 20 volunteers from divisions across campus were helping out, too.

"I'm a mom," explained Brown, assistant director of finance and administration. "I put two kids through college and I have one who is going to go next year, and I would hope that someone at their institution would be doing the same thing. That's why I'm here."

Brown is one of hundreds from the Cornell community who have come together in the past several weeks to help students who have the flu. About 535 students with flulike symptoms have visited or called Gannett Health Services since the beginning of the semester. Staff at Gannett, Facilities Services, Cornell Dining and Residential Programs have been teaming up to provide sick students with the "home flu kits," which contain basic self-care supplies, as well as meals, snacks and information to help them take care of themselves while they are recovering. Staff members reach out to sick students with daily phone calls and e-mail messages to support their recovery.

"Cornell is a place where, when there's a need, people want to contribute and get involved," said Julie Addy, who co-coordinated the kit assembly and is the Cornell Recruitment and Employment Center's human resources director. Gannett is recruiting volunteers to assemble another 1,000 kits Sept. 18. "This is a way people can put in a little bit of time but really make a big impact," Addy said.

Jason Koski/University Photo

Flu kits being distributed to ill students contain basic self-care supplies: tissues, ibuprophen or acetaminophen, hand sanitizer, face masks, a symptoms log, a digital thermometer and information sheets.

Any student on the meal plan can have a friend bring them a flu kit and a "sick tray" meal from a dining hall. Residential advisers and staff have been delivering meals to students whose friends are unavailable, said Joe Burke, director of Residential Programs. Staff members have also been stockpiling such staples as water, tea, fruit cups, applesauce, canned soup and electrolyte drinks and delivering them to ill students living on campus. Gannett updates residential employees daily as to which students need supplies or care, and call each ill student daily to check on them, Burke said. "The cooperation between all these units has been spectacular, absolutely spectacular," he said.

So far, Gannett has distributed hundreds of flu kits to students who visited Gannett and are recovering from flu at home, said Sharon Dittman, Gannett's associate director for community relations. "Most people who develop flu symptoms can recover at home with little or no medical intervention. However, taking care of yourself properly and asking for help when necessary is essential to getting better."

Each kit contains a digital thermometer, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, decongestants, a symptoms log, tissues, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, face masks, and information for patients and roommates.

Gannett has distributed some 350 kits to Cornell fraternities and sororities and 100 to the athletics department. They are exploring the possibility of setting up other outposts where students can pick up kits to deliver to ill students. "The outpouring of concern and support by students for their sick friends is the other remarkable element of the community response," Dittman said.

Finally, she emphasizes the key role of students who are sick. "We ask students, please contact us any time of day or night if you have questions, needs, underlying heath conditions that could lead to more serious illness, worsening symptoms or concerns about your ability to care for yourself," she said. "Many of you can manage on your own, but a large and caring community is at the ready to reach out to support you."

Students with concerns about their health should contact Gannett Health Services 24/7 (255-5155). For updates on H1N1 flu, check Cornell's flu-info site. For questions and concerns, call the flu phone line (255-0101) or e-mail the flu-info mailbox.