A healthy university or college campus environment is crucial for learning, especially during the cold and flu season. As students, faculty, and staff gather in close quarters, the spread of illnesses can quickly disrupt daily activities and academic progress.
Germs from a sick individual can spread easily through campus, primarily through airborne droplets released from coughing or sneezing. Germs are also spread through contact, when someone touches a surface previously touched by an individual with a contagious illness.
Regardless of how germs are spread, the resulting illnesses often lead to increased student absenteeism, which can negatively impact academic achievement, according to a study published in the journal Learning & Instruction. Sick students often miss classes and assignments, making it challenging for them to keep up.
University maintenance and cleaning staff can minimize the spread of germs, foster a healthier campus community, and help ensure academic success by prioritizing the following measures, especially during cold and flu season.
Promote frequent handwashing
Handwashing may be a simple precaution, but it is also one of the most effective methods for preventing the spread of germs. Campus custodial staff can encourage proper handwashing by posting signs in restrooms reminding everyone to lather their hands with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
To further support proper hand hygiene, maintenance staff can strategically place hand sanitizer stations in high-traffic areas like dorm common rooms, classrooms, food courts, and study spaces.
Ensure proper and consistent disinfecting
Thorough and consistent disinfection of high-touch surfaces is essential for reducing the spread of germs across campus. Cleaning crews should focus on doorknobs, handrails, desks, and shared equipment, making sure to disinfect these surfaces multiple times daily.
Facility managers can guarantee their cleaning staff’s success by ensuring they are equipped with the proper cleaning products and equipment to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
Increase the frequency and ease of dorm cleaning
Dorms are hot spots for germs due to students’ close living quarters, making regular cleaning essential. Although custodial staff can clean common areas in dorms, students play a significant role in maintaining a clean living environment. Encouraging them to take responsibility for cleaning their dorm rooms can help prevent the spread of germs and protect both their health and the health of others.
Stocking dorms with disinfecting wipes and sprays makes it easier for students to quickly clean their high-touch surfaces, such as desks and door handles.
Plan ahead for cold and flu season
Creating a cleaning plan ahead of the cold and flu season is key to successfully managing the spread of germs. As effective as your cleaning staff may be, maintaining a healthy, thriving campus requires a collective effort from students, staff and faculty.
By adopting the prevention practices above, university maintenance and cleaning staff can help reduce germ transmission not only during cold and flu season, but also throughout the academic year.
