Chancellor's Swine Flu Update

To the Alamo Colleges Family:

This email is an update of the latest health-related information, as it pertains to the Swine Flu.

The Goodwin Center, located at 1297 Churchill Drive in New Braunfels, Texas, has been closed by the Comal County Health Department for a minimum of ten days while it undergoes a sanitation process. This action is being taken due to the fact that an instructor, employed by the Seguin ISD and who teaches in an adult basic education program at the Goodwin Center has tested positive for swine flu.

Although the Alamo Colleges offer classes at the center for 184 students, the instructor who tested positive for swine flu does not teach Alamo Colleges’ students or teach in any of the classrooms used by the Alamo Colleges at the Goodwin Center. The center is operated as a partnership between the Seguin and Comal ISD’s and the Alamo Colleges.

Let me assure you that the Alamo Colleges’ administration is working closely with Comal County officials to respond to this situation swiftly and thoroughly. To date, these actions have been taken: The Goodwin Center has been closed for at least the next 10 days; the sanitation of the Goodwin building is underway; a health questionnaire to 184 Goodwin Center students is being administered to ascertain potential exposure to the swine flu; Goodwin classes have been temporarily moved to the Central T exas Technology Center also in New Braunfels; and swine flu related information has been posted on our main web page. A swine flu questions and answer piece can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm .

This situation is an isolated incident which does not affect the normal operations of our collegs or other satellite education centers, and our employees and students can rest assured that we are doing everything necessary to ensure their well being. We have brought together a team of health professionals and others to evaluate this situation and determine what further measures need to be taken.

As a precaution, students and employees from the Goodwin Center who experience symptoms consistent with swine flu, or who have immediate family members who exhibit such symptoms, are asked to stay home and seek medical attention. We are working closely with the Comal County Health Department to monitor the situation.

While the Goodwin Center is closed, those Alamo Colleges classes will be moved to the Alamo Colleges’ Central Texas Technology Center, 2189 FM 758, near the New Braunfels Municipal Airport.

****************************************
Bruce H. Leslie
Chancellor
Alamo Colleges
201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B
San Antonio, TX 78204-1429
(210) 485-0020 (Phone)
(210) 485-0024 (Fax)
bleslie@mail.accd.edu