UA notebook

Mumps confirmed in 2 student cases

FAYETTEVILLE -- A mumps outbreak in Northwest Arkansas now includes two confirmed cases involving University of Arkansas students, according to state health authorities.

The university was notified Nov. 29 about two student cases, said Huda Sharaf, medical director of UA's Pat Walker Health Center, in a statement released by the university. Most with the disease recover completely within a few weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but there can occasionally be serious complications.

Throughout the state, 1,764 mumps cases have been reported as of Dec. 1, according to the state Department of Health.

Craig Roberts, an epidemiologist on the American College Health Association's vaccine advisory committee, said the waning effects of childhood vaccinations result in up to one in four college students without protection against mumps. A third vaccination isn't usually recommended for students who received two as children, he added.

State regulations require incoming college freshmen to have two measles, mumps and rubella vaccine doses or an approved exemption, though other vaccination combinations also may be acceptable. UA reported 6,255 out of 6,355 freshmen as of Sept. 1, 2015, as meeting requirements, including four students with philosophical exemptions. Different state requirements exist for other students.

The disease commonly spreads through the transfer of saliva. Kissing, sharing drinking or smoking materials, as well as coughing or sneezing, all contribute to the spread of the disease, Roberts said.

Interim director named chancellor

Debbie McLoud has been appointed associate vice chancellor for human resources at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

McLoud had been named interim human resources director in July. Her appointment to the position on a permanent basis took effect Thursday.

She earns $155,000 in her new role. She replaces Barbara Abercrombie, who left UA for a similar position at Texas A&M University. Abercrombie earned $155,747 at UA.

UA employs 3,227 full- and part-time staff, plus 1,419 faculty, a spokesman said last month.

U.S. overtime rule changes postponed

The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville has put on hold any changes related to a U.S. Department of Labor overtime rule.

The rule, set to take effect Thursday, was blocked by a Nov. 22 federal court ruling. It would have raised the overtime annual salary threshold to $47,476 from $23,660 for "white collar" executive, administrative and professional workers.

A federal court granted an injunction against the rule after a lawsuit was filed by 21 states, including Arkansas. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to appeal the injunction blocking the rule.

UA had earlier said that approximately 625 workers would see their status change because of the rule.

"The university will continue to monitor this injunction and will update the campus if circumstances change," UA said in a Nov. 29 statement.

Metro on 12/04/2016

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