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Student Debts
The College is not responsible for debts contracted by individual students or student organizations. The College will
not act as a collection agency for any organization, firm or individual to whom students may owe bills.
Students and student organizations are expected to honor contractual obligations promptly, but in case of flagrant
disregard of such obligation the Vice President for Student Affairs will take appropriate action.
Penalty for failure to clear up these obligations may be: a) no readmission; b) withholding of grades and transcripts; c)
withholding of degree.
Failure to pay all college fees by the specified date will result in suspension through the 12th week in the long
semester and the fourth week of each Summer term. After the 12th week in the long semester and the fourth week of
each Summer term failure to pay all fees by the specified date will result in suspension at the end of the current
semester and may include a) denial of readmission; b) withholding of grades and transcripts;
c) withholding of degree.
Official Summons
An official summons takes precedence over other college activities of the student and should be answered promptly on
the day and hour designated. Failure to heed an official summons may subject the student to serious disciplinary action.
Penalty for False Statements
A student who provides false information or makes false statements to any college official or office or on an official
form submitted to the College is subject to immediate dismissal.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal disease that is a nationwide public health problem.
Lamar State College-Port Arthur acknowledges the seriousness of this problem.
In health-related matters such as this, the College follows the guidelines of recognized authorities including The
National Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Texas Department of Health and the American
College Health Association.
The College conforms its actions to the Texas Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act and other law.
There is no current evidence that individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency (HIV), the “AIDS virus,” can
infect other individuals through casual contact. Therefore, there is no reason to exclude individuals with AIDS, AIDS-
Related Complex (ARC) or a positive test for antibody to HIV from campus academic, social, or cultural activities.
On the basis of current knowledge of the disease, individuals sharing common living space, work or study areas,
libraries, classrooms, recreation facilities and theaters do not represent a problem or public threat to the campus
community.
Students and employees of the College who may become infected with the AIDS virus will not be excluded from
enrollment or employment or restricted in their access to college services or facilities unless medically-based judgments
in individual cases establish that exclusion or restriction is necessary to the welfare of the individual or of other
members of the college community.
When circumstances require a review, the President will seek the advice of the Port Arthur Health Department, the
attending physician, and any other relevant parties. An opportunity will be provided for any person involved to discuss
his or her circumstances.
In the event of public inquiry concerning college policy, programs, problems or statistics related to AIDS on campus,
the President is the official spokesperson for the College. All inquiries from the press, elected public officials or the public
in general will be referred to the Office of the President. The medical records of individuals shall remain confidential, but
public information shall be disclosed on request in accordance with the Texas Open Records Act, the Family Education
Rights and Privacy Act and the Texas Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act. General information and
national statistics considered public knowledge are not subject to restriction.
In the event an individual is identified with AIDS, ARC or a positive test for HIV antibody, appropriate existing
college resources for emotional, educational, social and medical support will be made available to all concerned
individuals.
Persons who know or have reasonable basis for believing that they are infected with the AIDS virus are expected to
seek expert advice about their health circumstances and are obligated, ethically and legally, to conduct themselves
responsibly in accordance with such knowledge for the protection of other members of the college community.
The College carefully observes safety guidelines established by the U.S. Public Health Service for the handling of
blood and other body fluids and secretions, both in all health care facilities maintained on the campus and in other
institutional contexts in which such fluids or secretions may be encountered (e.g., teaching and experimental
laboratories). More information is available on campus.