Dorms: communicable bathrooms, two people to a small room and absolutely no privacy. Welcome to college life.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable sharing a room with a complete stranger, but at least you know what you're going to be sharing. However it's a scary thought to not know what you and your roommate could be sharing.

Buffalo State College is working to makes its dormitories a safe environment for students by sending out mailings and making announcements at campus events to inform students about the dangers of meningococcal disease. Now they are pulling out the big guns, says Gina de Peralta Torn, health educator.

Effective this summer, state public health law requires all students to fill out the meningitis information response form . When the student signs this form, they agree the have been informed about the dangers of meningococcal disease and they have either received the immunization or they chose not to get it.

Meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningitis, is a bacteria infection. It's abundant among college students living in close living quarters such as dorms.

The bacterium neisseria neningitides can spread in the air through droplets of respiratory secretions or direct contact with an infected person such as:

• sharing cigarettes
• sharing a drink
• kissing

Someone with the bacteria in their blood would experience these symptoms, often in as little as 12 hours:

• severe headache
• stiff neck
• dislike of bright lights
• fever
• throwing up repeatedly
• confusion
• severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
• rash

“There has never been a case of meningitis as BSC,” Thorn said. “But the students need to be informed about the dangers. We're only taking appropriate precautions and the administration is helping us with that by authorizing the health center to place the hold on those students not listening.”

Junior Corinne MacEwen says: “I live off campus and I have no problem about the requirement if I knew about it. BSC is more of a commuter school and I'm sure a lot of us are going to be surprised when we find we can't register for classes in the fall.”

According to public health law, the measles mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is required for a student to enroll into any New York state college or university. In the case of meningitis, it is only required to inform the students of the dangers. There is a vaccine for the disease, however it is not required.

Most medical insurances do not cover the vacinne; Weigel Health Center will offer it to anyone interested in getting it for a total cost of $65.

Additional facts about meningococcal disease

• contracted by 3,000 Americans each yeah
• 300 deaths annually
• approximately 100 to 125 cases happen on college campuses
• five to 15 college students die each year