2006-2007 Student Handbook - University of the Incarnate Word

A. To provide education, information and counseling concerning the causes, affects,transmissibility and treatment of HIV/AIDS;B. To safeguard the personal rights of individuals with HIV/AIDS;C. To promote a safe environment for all members of the university community;D. To comply with the requirements of applicable federal and state laws relating to HIV.Statement of Non-DiscriminationUniversity of the Incarnate Word 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 andmentally able, from a medical perspective, to successfully participate in the activities of University of theIncarnate Word.Safeguarding the Personal Rights of Individuals with HIV/AIDSAs a matter of university policy, information about the existence of any kind of HIV/AIDS is medicalinformation, not administrative data. In recognition of the serious potential for discrimination against andmistreatment of persons with HIV/AIDS, the university will handle information concerning any aspect ofHIV in faculty, administration, staff and students with care and sensitivity to the privacy concerns involved.Responsibility of Infected IndividualsIndividuals who are infected with HIV/AIDS or who have a reasonable basis for believing that they areinfected with HIV must conduct themselves in a morally responsible way for the protection of themselvesand other members of the university community.Records in GeneralThe university will not include information about HIV/AIDS in any regular personnel, faculty or studentfile. Only when administrative action is taken that is specifically related to HIV-positive status will suchinformation be included. In those circumstances, such information will be maintained in a separateadministrative file and accorded confidentiality as a medical record. Faculty files will be retained in theOffice of the Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs. Administration and staff files will be retainedby the Human Resources Office. Student information will be retained at the Campus Health Center.Need to KnowThere is seldom an administrative need to know about a faculty, administrator, staff member or studentwith HIV/AIDS. An HIV-infected individual will not be required to disclose such information unlessrequired by federal, state or local laws.Informing OthersThe university will not advise faculty, administration, staff or students of the existence of HIV/AIDS in anyindividual.Secondary Lists and RecordsThe university will not keep lists, logs or other records identifying individuals known to have HIV/AIDS.Reasonable AccommodationThe university will provide reasonable accommodation to any faculty, administration, staff or student withHIV/AIDS in a manner consistent with accommodation provided for employees or students with otherdisabling medical problems.Educational ProgramsThe initial response of the University of the Incarnate Word to the epidemic of HIV infection must beeducation. As such, the University is committed to educating its students, faculty and staff about AIDS andHIV infection. The primary purposes are (1) to prevent the spread of infection by supporting behaviors that76