Ah-choo, flu

With sneezes and sniffles, the flu season is beginning. Penn’s Occupational Medicine department will once again offer flu shots for faculty and staff. However, they will be available by mid-December, which is later than usual, and in smaller quantities, so people are urged to receive immunization from a personal physician. Those who are at high risk for complications with influenza, such as persons over 65 years old, residents of chronic-care facilities and pregnant women, will receive first priority for vaccination. Influenza shots will require a $5 cash payment. More details at www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness or call 215-898-0380.

Greeks bearing gifts

The Interfraternity Council presented $2,000 to the Penn Cancer Center early this month to go to patients with testicular cancer, an illness that commonly strikes college-age males. The IFC raised the funds during Greek Week through various activities, including a three-on-three basketball tournament and a raffle. And the IFC’s commitment won’t end there. It has opened a bank account with the initial $2,000 for which they will raise funds for the Cancer Center throughout the year and in years to come.

Financial shell shock

In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the Wharton School has added a special section to Knowledge@Wharton to help individuals deal with the nations’ current economic instability. Knowledge@Wharton, a free online resource that offers the latest business insights, information and research, now has a section called “Survival Strategies for the Post-Attack Economy.” Its sources include interviews with industry leaders and Wharton faculty, and analyses of current economic trends. Papers like “How Will Insurers Deal With Their Most Expensive Catastrophe?” are now available at http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu.