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Procedures Related to Identification and Treatment of Students and Employees with AIDS and/or positive HIV tests:
1. Screening prospective students and employees for AIDS and/or positive HIV tests will not be done nor be a part of the regular admission or employment processes.
2. In accordance with existing University procedures, an employee's or student's medical record, personnel file, and/or educational record, is confidential (including information on or related to AIDS) and may not be released without the individual's permission except as otherwise provided by law. Disclosure by University personnel of confidential medical/personnel information is prohibited without the written consent of the individual or as otherwise allowed by law. Violation of this confidentiality will result in disciplinary action in accordance with existing University policy.
3. Students and/or employees who have AIDS or positive HIV tests, will be allowed the usual access to campus academic, social, and cultural activities. Access to common social areas such as the Rhatigan Student Center, cafeterias, the Heskett Center, gymnasiums, and other recreational facilities will not be restricted.
4. Individuals with AIDS or positive HIV tests participating in activities where an exchange of body fluids, such as blood, may occur (e.g. contact sports, educational laboratory/clinical settings such as in the life sciences and health professions) should discuss the advisability of participation with their physician. The participant with AIDS or a positive HIV test has the responsibility to inform other participants of the possibility of contamination.
5. Individuals with AIDS or positive HIV tests, will not be restricted access to food service areas nor will food service workers be so restricted, unless they show evidence of another infection, condition, or illness for which there should be such restrictions. Supervisors of food service facilities shall assure access is not restricted. All food service workers should follow recommended standards and practices of sanitation and personal hygiene. Any food tainted with blood or other body fluids must be discarded whether or not the handler is infected with the AIDS virus. Any equipment contaminated by blood or other body fluids must be washed in soap or detergent and water and then disinfected with an appropriate chemical germicide (1:10 solution of household bleach or alcohol).
6. Employees with AIDS or positive HIV tests will be treated, for all work-related purposes, in the same manner as persons who develop other kinds of illnesses. If a person is no longer able to work, as with other illnesses, he/she will be expected to use sick leave and/or annual leave until these are exhausted. At that point, the employee may apply for shared leave or go on leave without pay in accordance with University policy. If the employee is unable to return to work, he/she may be eligible for disability leave. In addition, as required by nondiscrimination laws protecting handicapped and disabled persons, the University will, on a case-by-case basis, make reasonable accommodations to help persons with AIDS carry out their work duties. Information for purposes of requesting reasonable accommodations should be provided to the Director of Disability Services. That information will be kept confidential except insofar as it must be divulged to make the accommodations.
7. Occupants of residence halls will not be advised that another occupant has AIDS or a positive HIV test. Current medical information indicates there is no risk to sharing dormitories with infected individuals, however, there may be circumstances where those with AIDS or HIV positive might be exposed to certain contagious diseases in a close living situation. Because of the medical need for these students to exercise greater control of their environment, they will be offered appropriate options based upon consultation with each individual's physician. The University recognizes the independent nature of Greek chapter houses and offers them the educational, health, and student service resources of the University community in dealing with issues relative to AIDS or positive HIV tests.
8. Any employee who works with or provides services for an individual who is known to have AIDS or a positive HIV test will be expected to carry out his or her normal work duties. An employee requesting transfer due to concerns about the disease will be considered for such vacancies as are available on the same basis as other candidates for the positions.
9. Students or employees may contact Student Health Services for information about AIDS and HIV testing. Additionally, student and employees requesting HIV testing should be referred to the Wichita/Sedgwick County Department of Community Health or to laboratories they prefer.
AIDS Prevention Education Programs:
1. To assure compliance with the policy and procedures statements above, it is incumbent upon the University to provide education and information on AIDS and positive HIV tests. A critical means of impeding the further spread of the disease is the provision of timely and accurate advice, information and education to individuals, groups and policy makers.
2. The University Advisory Committee on AIDS, appointed by the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations, shall be responsible for developing and coordinating a comprehensive education program on AIDS and positive HIV tests for students and employees. This program is to include specific workshops and information dissemination on: AIDS, HIV antibody testing and meaning of results; prevention, transmission and implications of the disease; intervention and treatment; support resources; and a complete explanation of established University policy. A host of psychological, social, political, economic, legal, and cultural factors should also be discussed, as appropriate, in programs for specific audiences. Programs and informational material should be generally and/or specifically targeted to students, administrators, faculty, unclassified professionals, classified staff, members of campus organizations, coaches, trainers, student-athletes, residence hall personnel, food handlers, custodians, Heskett Center staff, orientation personnel, Student Health Services personnel, persons not employed by the University but who voluntarily take leadership roles in certain University activities such as club sports, and faculty, staff and students involved in teaching and research programs in wet laboratories.
3. AIDS prevention and education programs must be conducted by professionals working in this field.
Implementation:
1. The University Advisory Committee on AIDS is responsible for advising the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations of any modifications to this policy which may be required in the future. Additionally, this committee may be consulted before actions are taken to dismiss a student from the University and/or dismiss an employee for reasons related to having AIDS or a positive HIV test. The University Advisory Committee on AIDS is composed of the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Director of Human Resources, Director of Disability Services, Dean of Students, and Medical Director of Student Health Services. This committee reports to the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations.
2. This policy shall be distributed to student and employees through regular policy dissemination mechanisms.
3. The University Advisory Committee on AIDS will be provided staff support for the conduct of programs and information dissemination by the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations.
4. All budget and budget review officers shall assure employees and students are familiar with this policy and take steps necessary to assure academic work, and laboratory environments are in compliance with efforts to prevent the transmission of AIDS.
Revision Date:
May 17, 2000
(Note: Because this policy applies directly to students and employees at Wichita State University, Students and Employees with AIDS has also been included in Chapter 3, Employment Policies, at Section 3.05.