The university is currently operating on a normal schedule.
However, given recent measles outbreaks in nearby areas, the Emergency Management Team shared the following information with the campus, as well as specific email messages to students and faculty staff about vaccines, vaccination status, and more.
What is Measles and How Is It Spread?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory viral illness that causes high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed within several days later by a characteristic rash. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, and breathing, and the virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. Individuals who are not protected by vaccination or prior immunity are at high risk of infection if exposed.
How to Protect Against Measles
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH), the measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health authorities emphasize that:
If You Are Exposed to Measles
If there is a case of measles connected with Winthrop, SCDPH will require proof of immunity from individuals who have been exposed in order to avoid quarantine lasting 21 days after last exposure.
Where Can I Receive a Measles Vaccine?
If you do not know your vaccination status or cannot locate your records, MMR vaccines are widely available at area pharmacies and healthcare provider offices. Here is a link to a vaccine finder website for area pharmacies that offer the MMR.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and healthy campus environment.
Sincerely,
Winthrop University Emergency Management Team
Any member of the Winthrop community (students, faculty, and staff) should sign up for WU Alert to receive text and voicemail messages with incident notifications and/or the status of any closings or delays.
While communications staff members notify all of the major local and Charlotte area media outlets of this information as well, your best and most timely source of information is WU Alert. You can expect a short WU Alert via text for most incidents, with detailed follow-up information typically coming through a voice-recorded message sent to your phone. Information also is posted on Winthrop’s official social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter).
You may check your university e-mail or the university website for information related to incidents and closings/delays as well. Should you not have access to e-mail, the web, or other information, call the Campus Alert Line at 803/323-2222. Please do NOT call the Winthrop University Police Department for closing information, as this will tie up phone lines that may be needed for an emergency.
These are the website links you will see on the Winthrop homepage when detailed information is provided:
If a weather incident requires cancelling classes or other events on a weekend, see the policy for that scenario.
Members of the Winthrop community always should use their discretion in judging the safety of traveling to the university during periods of inclement weather. Check the Hazardous Weather/Emergency Leave Policy for details to help faculty and staff determine how inclement weather affects the work schedule.
Register your cell or landline phone number today for emergency notification