HIV/AIDS
Central College is a college which provides a values-oriented education designed for the development of the whole person and service to others. Within that framework, the college supports the need for each individual within the community to be treated with dignity and respect.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a serious public health problem which raises many complex medical, legal, moral, ethical and educational issues. Central College is committed to educational programs and institutional policies which inform the community about this issue. Such programs and policies will be guided by the college’s regard for both public health interests and individual rights, informed by the recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Center for Disease Control, the American College Health Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
The college has adopted this policy for all faculty, administration, staff and students in response to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the agent that causes AIDS.
All college policies relating to HIV/AIDS foster the same goals:
- To provide education, information and counseling concerning the causes, affects, transmissibility and treatment of HIV/AIDS;
- To safeguard the personal rights of individuals with HIV/AIDS;
- To promote a safe environment for all members of the college community;
- To comply with the requirements of applicable federal and state laws relating to HIV.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Central College will not discriminate against persons with HIV infection and/or AIDS. Admission, classroom attendance, access to campus facilities, participation in athletics or intramurals, employment and residence hall housing, are open to all qualified individuals who are physically and mentally able, from a medical perspective, to successfully participate in the activities of Central College.
Safeguarding the Personal Rights of Individuals with HIV/AIDS
As a matter of college policy, information about the existence of any kind of HIV/AIDS is medical information, not administrative data. In recognition of the serious potential for discrimination against and mistreatment of persons with HIV/AIDS, the college will handle information concerning any aspect of HIV in faculty, administration, staff and students with care and sensitivity to the privacy concerns involved.
Responsibility of Infected Individuals
Individuals who are infected with HIV/AIDS or who have a reasonable basis for believing that they are infected with HIV must conduct themselves in a morally responsible way for the protection of themselves and other members of the college community.
Records in General
The college will not include information about HIV/AIDS in any regular personnel, faculty or student file. Only when administrative action is taken that is specifically related to HIV-positive status will such information be included. In those circumstances, such information will be maintained in a separate administrative file and accorded confidentiality as a medical record. Faculty files will be retained in the office of the dean of students. Administration and staff files will be retained by the human resources office. Student information will be retained at campus health services.
Need to Know
There is seldom an administrative need to know about a faculty, administrator, staff member or student with HIV/AIDS. An HIV-infected individual will not be required to disclose such information unless required by federal, state or local laws.
Informing Others
The college will not advise faculty, administration, staff or students of the existence of HIV/AIDS in any individual.
Secondary Lists and Records
The college will not keep lists, logs or other records identifying individuals known to have HIV/AIDS.
Reasonable Accommodation
The college will provide reasonable accommodation to any faculty, administration, staff or student with HIV/AIDS in a manner consistent with accommodation provided for employees or students with other disabling medical problems.
Educational Programs
The initial response of Central College to HIV infection must be education. As such, the College is committed to educating its students, faculty and staff about AIDS and HIV infection. The primary purposes are (1) to prevent the spread of infection by supporting behaviors that reduce the risk of infection; and (2) to provide support for those who are infected with HIV. These educational goals should emphasize the distinction between concerns based on knowledge about documented risks of HIV/AIDS transmission, and concerns based on inadequate information regarding HIV/AIDS infection. AIDS education will be a cooperative effort representing all segments of the community.