As the class of 2013 enters the campus of St. Francis University, officials are also preparing for flu season, especially the swine flu.

Kara Fox, director of the health center, said they've had a flu pandemic plan in place for over three years.

As a pod, Fox said state officials will deliver vaccines to the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness if there is a flu pandemic.

In turn, the staff and students will distribute the medicines to residents around Cambria County.

Fox said there's a strong push to keep the students free from the flu. She said they encourage the students to wash their hands regularly and be conscious of flu-like symptoms.

If they do catch the flu, they're told to stay in their rooms and stay isolated.

Fox said the students have the tough economic times on their minds and they feel like they're making a big investment by attending classes.

"They tend to push themselves," Fox said. "They don't sleep real well or eat real well. They're prone to illness in general because of that and being in close quarters. So that makes it difficult, particularly with flu and a strand they've never seen before."

Faculty and staff will take part in a flu pandemic drill this fall.