5:05 p.m., Feb. 25, 2009----Your mother always told you to wash your hands. Of course, she was right. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others, especially during flu season.

A new pilot program starting March 1 will help members of the University community practice good hand hygiene. UD's Communicable Disease Working Group is putting Purell hand sanitizer stations in each campus dining hall, the Trabant University Center and the Perkins Student Center.

During the pilot program, use of the hand sanitizer stations will be monitored, and members of the University community will be able to provide feedback through an optional survey.

If the pilot is successful, there are plans to expand it across the campus and make hand sanitizer stations permanent fixtures in all campus eateries, common areas and classroom buildings.

In addition to the pilot program, a new poster campaign also is raising awareness of the importance of hand washing.

According to Dr. Joseph Siebold, director of UD's Student Health Services, "Simple hand washing techniques can cut down on absenteeism from class or work by 43 percent, and the fewer illnesses being passed around, the safer and more productive we all can be."