NU computer labs add hand sanitizers

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is placing hand sanitizers inside computer labs across campus to help students stay healthy.

The suggestion to put hand sanitizers in the labs came from a student who e-mailed the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, said Megan Collins, ASUN president.

The next day, Collins said, ASUN talked with Pam Holley-Wilcox, director of information technology support for Information Services, about the suggestion. 

"What we're trying to do, obviously, is to keep the risk of flu infection down," said Holley-Wilcox.

While the keyboards and computers are wiped with disinfectant, Holley-Wilcox said it wasn't possible to wipe the keyboards after every user.

"We had students expressing concerns to us because in these public areas, there are multiple users using the keyboard," she said.

Sometimes students use the new hand sanitizers in the computer lab, but not a lot, said Koji Kunikiyo, a senior mechanical engineering major who works in a lab.

But while not a lot of students are using them at the moment, that could change, Kunikiyo said.

A lot of students might want to step up use because it's flu season, he said.
Collins agreed.

"Students are hearing from every angle the flu is here," she said.

The department felt adding the sanitizer was a small price to pay, Holley-Wilcox said.

"It's a peace of mind thing, but it's a very practical step," she said, adding that hand sanitizer is an effective means of keeping germs from spreading.

Kunikiyo said he felt it was a good idea to have hand sanitizers in the computer labs.
"It's not going to hurt anything," he said.

Because the hand sanitizers in the computer labs are new, Holley-Wilcox said the department still needs to get a feel for the need for sanitizers in the labs.

"One of the things we're discussing is whether this is temporary because of the sensitivity of the H1N1 flu," she said.

Holley-Wilcox said she was interested in hearing from students whether it should be used on a regular basis.

"We want to keep the cost down but also want to stop the flu from spreading," she said.

For Collins, the hand sanitizers are just one more thing ASUN can do to serve the students.

"It's important for me and everybody in the student body government for students to remain healthy," Collins said. "And if hand sanitizers help students remain healthy, it helps."

kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com