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.