Radford University wants all students, faculty and staff who experience flulike symptoms to stay at home, whether on or off campus, for up to seven days to prevent the spread of seasonal and H1N1 influenza.

A university news release suggests staying home "until at least 24 hours after a normal body temperature has been achieved without fever-reducing medication."

According to data from the American College Health Association, between Oct. 10 to 16, 312 new suspected flu cases were reported among Virginia's estimated 96,800 college students. Nationally during that time period, 7,099 new suspected flu cases were reported among campus populations totaling nearly 3.4 million. In 13 of those cases, sufferers were hospitalized.

"Ninety-five percent of 278 colleges and universities reported new suspected flu cases, compared to 92 percent reporting new cases the prior week," the association's Web site reported.

Radford students who suffer from chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes and experience flu symptoms are encouraged to call 831-5111 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. or to check the Student Health Center Web site at health.asp.radford.edu for guidance. Students may call the 24-hour nursing hotline at (866) 205-2164. Faculty and staff are encouraged to see their primary care physician.

Radford will offer H1N1 vaccine clinics when the vaccine becomes available.

Track college flu infection rates at acha.org.

Hokies for the Hungry food drive to be held

The Virginia Tech Marching Virginians and New Life Christian Fellowship will sponsor the 13th annual Hokies for the Hungry canned food drive Thursday at Lane Stadium.

The 13th annual food drive will take place during the Virginia Tech-North Carolina football game.

Hokies defensive end Jason Worilds is honorary chairman of the event.

Organizers hope to collect one can from every fan for a total of 66,233 cans of food, a news release said.

Drop-off points will be in the four corners of Lane Stadium and in tailgate lots where pep bands perform before kickoff.

All contributions will be distributed through the Montgomery County Christmas Store.

Professors look to help Iraqi colleges

Virginia Tech business professor Lance Matheson and biological sciences professor Khidir Hilu visited three Iraqi universities earlier this year as part of a six-member academic group sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense task force for business and stability operations in Iraq, according to a university news release.

The group, which also included faculty from Michigan State University and the University of Idaho, visited the University of Baghdad, the University of Kufa and American University of Iraq in Sulaimaniyah.

They met with Iraqi university presidents, college deans and government ministers, as well as U.S. Embassy officials.

Iraqi universities are interested in working with U.S. institutions on nanotechnology, genetic engineering and biotechnology, biodiversity and renewable energy.

Future trips to Iraq could include Tech faculty from agriculture, engineering and admissions programs, the release said.

Virginia Tech joins bicycle safety effort

Virginia Tech has partnered with Yield to Life (yieldtolife.org), a nonprofit founded by world-class cyclist David Zabriskie.

Zabriskie has been hit by cars four times during his career. His nonprofit seeks to "create a safer and more harmonious environment between cyclists and motorists through education programs, awareness campaigns and sensitivity training," a university news release said.

The campaign is one of several initiatives that the university has undertaken to improve cycling safety around campus. Others include working with Blacksburg to improve traffic flow and bike access at major intersections.

The VT Yield to Life campaign will include advertising with Blacksburg Transit, handouts and posters that promote awareness of bicycling safety.

California company supports Virginia Tech team

Aerojet Corp. has donated $50,000 to support the Virginia Tech College of Engineering's Hy-V Scramjet student design team.

This is the fourth year that the California-based company has supported the project, based in the college's mechanical engineering, and aerospace and ocean engineering departments.

The student team is building a scramjet propulsion engine that will be tested at Mach 5 and 90,000 feet for a 20-second flight. A scramjet is an air-breathing propulsion engine similar to a ramjet, but with supersonic internal flow and combustion.