The purpose of the policy on HIV/AIDS is to establish broad guidelines for responding to individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) within the Saint Mary’s University community. The policy is based on recommendations of the American College Health Association as well as other state and federal agencies.
The primary responsibility of Saint Mary’s University with regard to HIV/AIDS is educational. The main purposes of such a response are to: prevent the spread of infection by promoting and supporting positive behaviors which reduce the spread of infection; and provide support for HIV-infected individuals. The university’s Wellness Center will be primarily responsible for providing educational information on HIV/AIDS.
HIV, the virus causing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), is transmitted by intimate sexual contact and by exposure to contaminated blood and body fluids. Current medical findings indicate that students and employees infected with HIV do not present a risk to others in an academic or work setting. Therefore, individuals with HIV will be permitted full access to university programs and
activities, as long as they are physically and emotionally able to function as students or employees. The university expects those testing positive for HIV to protect the welfare of others by acting responsibly in preventing the spread of the virus.
Saint Mary’s University will handle, with sensitivity, information relating to any student or employee with HIV/AIDS. The university reserves the right to disclose a student’s or an employee’s HIV status to appropriate individuals on a need-to-know basis. Other decisions regarding a student or employee with HIV will be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular facts unique to each situation. |
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