PRP 4250 - AIDS Policy
Issued by: Jerrold A. Griffis, Vice President for Student Life
Effective Date: Immediately
Notes: From Aids Committee to V.P. 5/22/87; Revised by President's Cabinet 6/4/87; Reviewed by Trustees on 6/10/87; Endorsed by President's Cabinet 7/17/87; approved by Robert Mulle 7/6/87; Approved by President Ausprich 7/16/87.
Purpose
Bloomsburg University is committed to providing the university community with programming and educational information related to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Regarding AIDS, the university adheres to the recommended guidelines of the United States Center for Disease Control; and American Council of Education ("AIDS on Campus: Emerging Issues for College and University Administrators"); and the American College Health Association (General Statement on Institutional Response to AIDS); and to research findings of the medical profession.
The university's primary goals are (1) to provide education to promote individual protection and to prevent further spread of this disease, and (2) to make available health care treatment, referral information, and counseling for those individuals presently affected by AIDS, AIDS-related complex (ARC), or those who test positive for the HTVL-III virus. The university assumes a role of advocacy for affected persons, the university community, and the community-at-large.
The university does not censure or violate the personal, academic, or civil rights of any individual as protected by current federal and state laws and as they pertain to this health issue.
AIDS Education
Bloomsburg University maintains an AIDS Education Task Force with responsibilities for the following:
Planning and implementing education and training programs and providing materials for students and employees and the community-at-large on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of the disease.
Recommending to the appropriate vice president actions that should be taken to ensure the effectiveness of an AIDS education program and to enhance the likelihood of acceptance of suggested preventative measures.
The AIDS Education Task Force is composed of the following university personnel: the health center nurse and/or physician, the education and training officer, director of residence life or designee, university relations director or designee, a psychological counselor, a student, and a faculty member.
First Response Team
To provide for the well-being of affected individuals and the welfare of the university, and to determine an appropriate course of action, a First Response Team assesses each case on an individual basis. The First Response Team is composed of the following university personnel: head nurse of the Health Center a physician, the appropriate vice president, a psychological counselor, and one other individual depending on the case (i.e. Director of Residence Life in the case of an affected student; Director of Personnel and Labor Relations in the case of an employee).
The First Response Team maintains the principle that the number of people in the institution who are aware of the existence and/or identity of students or employees who have AIDS, ARC, or a positive HTLV-III antibody test should be kept to a minimum, to afford appropriate confidentiality and privacy of the affected persons.
Student Housing
Bloomsburg University is committed to providing a positive living environment for all on and off-campus resident students that complements their educational experiences and goals. The university attempts to accomplish this mission by providing staff, programs, the maintenance of facilities and by addressing student needs and concerns (academic, emotional, social). The First Response Team will communicate with the Office of Residence Life regarding special needs and housing accommodations in connection with an AIDS case.
General Personnel
No known risk of transmission to co-workers, clients, or consumers exists from AIDS infected workers in offices or schools, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Therefore, it is university policy that workers known to be affected with the AIDS virus should not be restricted from work solely based on that finding. Moreover, they are not restricted from using telephones, office equipment, toilets, showers, eating facilities, and water fountains.
Employees with AIDS are afforded privacy; are permitted to work, if able; remain eligible for all health benefits; and are provided support to remain productive.
Updating the University Aids Policy
The university policy on AIDS is updated as new developments in AIDS prevention and treatment occur.