Susquehanna University HIV Infection/AIDS Policy

Susquehanna University's policy with respect to persons infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is based upon concern for the welfare of the total campus community and for the infected individual within the community. The policy's essence is education and awareness, using the best resources available to convey current information. The university's education program describes HIV infection and outlines steps that all persons in the campus community can take to prevent themselves from becoming infected. The policy aims to assure the campus community that current knowledge indicates that students or employees with any form of HIV infections do not pose a health risk to others by their presence in the residential, academic or employment setting. Thus, they will not be barred from participation in academic and campus activities or employment except on the basis of expert medical advice. The university assumes that persons who are, or who believe they are, at risk concerning HIV infection will want to take steps to protect their own health and to protect the welfare of all others in the college community. Therefore, this policy encourages students and other members of the college community to discuss, confidentially, their concerns about AIDS with a member of the Health Center staff. Students who know they are HIV infected are strongly encouraged to notify the Health Center so that the staff may assess the need for further medical evaluation, counseling and/or referral. This policy is consistent with the recommendations of the American College Health Association and other medical groups and educational organizations that have proposed general policy guidelines concerning HIV. It also complies with the requirements of the State of Pennsylvania and public health law. The following outlines Susquehanna's commitment to ongoing education of the college community and early identification and medical follow-up of the HIV-infected individual. Reported cases of HIV infection will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Health Center Staff in consultation with a university physician.

1. Educational Priorities
   The university's goal is prevention of the spread of HIV. HIV infection is caused by a virus most often transmitted by the exchange of body fluids; usually through certain sexual or drug use behaviors. Individuals with a positive test for HIV may transmit the virus through anal or vaginal intercourse, sharing of needles, oral-genital contact and open-mouth kissing. HIV is not known to be transmitted by any form of casual interpersonal contact (such as touching, sneezing, coughing, toilet seats, etc.). No known safety risks are created by the presence of persons with HIV infection in normal academic, employment or residential settings. The administration of an AIDS education program provides the best way for the university community to be safe and healthful. Everyone needs current information to make informed decisions. Therefore, the university AIDS Task Force will disseminate HIV infection/AIDS information that is accurate and timely, consulting with other colleges and national organizations (e.g., American College Health Association and the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators) in the development of programs. A variety of educational strategies will be used by the university, including distributing printed materials and sponsoring lectures, programs and discussions with groups and individuals. Current literature will be available in the Health Center and the Counseling Center. The education program will emphasize the following:
   
   1. Even though they may not have symptoms, persons with HIV infection may transmit the virus to others through intimate sexual contact or exposure to blood; a woman with HIV infection may transmit the virus to her child before or during birth or by breast-feeding.
   2. Among people who choose to be sexually active, the consistent and conscientious use of latex condoms and spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 greatly reduces the chance of transmission of HIV through sexual intercourse.
   3. The sharing of needles used in the injection of drugs or steroids, or for other reasons is an efficient way to transmit HIV.
   4. Persons with documented HIV infection and those with behavioral risk factors for HIV infection should not donate blood, plasma, sperm or body organs or tissues.
   5. People with HIV infection pose no risk of transmitting the virus to others through ordinary, casual interpersonal contact.
   6. It is possible that certain interventions and therapies may help limit the consequences of HIV infection among people already infected. People who know they have been infected may thus benefit from regular medical follow-up and immunological evaluation.
   7. Discrimination against people who have or are perceived to have HIV infection is unwarranted, hurtful and wrong.
      
      
2. Testing
   
   1. Admissions: Susquehanna University does not include consideration of the existence of any form of HIV infection on the initial admissions decision for people applying to the university.
   2. Employment: Susquehanna University does not include consideration of the existence of any form of HIV infection in the process of hiring or promoting employees.
   3. Susquehanna University will not undertake a program of mandatory testing of either employees or students for the antibody to HIV.
   4. The Health Center Staff will provide information to students or staff regarding HIV testing. This will include information about the limitations of the test, as well as locations for testing where confidentiality, anonymity and pre- and post-test counseling is available.
   5. In order to ensure that the student with HIV infection/AIDS has accurate information and advice regarding medical care, any such student is strongly encouraged to inform the Health Center as soon as possible upon discovery of his or her testing positive for HIV antibody.
      
      
3. Confidentiality
   
   1. Specific information concerning the student or employee with HIV infection/AIDS will not be shared with other students, faculty, administration, staff, other institutions, insurers or parents without the permission of the student or employee. This statement is consistent with general policy whereby all individual medical records are treated in a confidential manner. Confidentiality of records is crucial, superseded only by the necessity to protect others in situations involving a clear and well-substantiated risk.
   2. A student is encouraged to discuss the contents of his or her medical record with Health Center Staff to ensure that the student is as knowledgeable as possible.
      
      
4. Medical follow-up
   
   1. Regular specialized medical follow-up and counseling by a trained professional is strongly encouraged by the university.
   2. The person with HIV/AIDS is encouraged to identify his or her private health care provider to the Health Center. Upon request, the Health Center will refer an individual to health care providers and/or agencies with expertise in AIDS. An HIV infected person may not be required to take live virus vaccination, e.g., measles, rubella, unless required by state law and dependent on current medical practice.
   3. Public Health reporting requirements for the State of Pennsylvania will be observed.
      
      
5. Additional Residential/Academic/Work Considerations for the Person with HIV Infection/AIDS
   
   1. HIV infected persons are considered as having handicapping conditions. Consequently, in making its decisions, the university must guarantee the legal rights of these individuals.
   2. Students who have HIV infection, whether they are symptomatic or not, are allowed regular classroom attendance in an unrestricted manner as long as they are physically and mentally able to attend classes.
   3. Persons with HIV infection are not restricted from access to university facilities, including the gymnasium, swimming pool and food service areas unless they are secondarily infected by an organism that would ordinarily preclude a non-HIV/infected individual from using these facilities.
   4. Decisions about on-campus housing for students will be made on a case-by-case basis. The best currently available medical information does not indicate any risk to those sharing residence with infected individuals.
      
      1. In some circumstances there is reason to be concerned for the health of students with immune deficiencies when such students might be exposed to certain contagious diseases (e.g. measles or chicken pox) in close living conditions. In such situations, and within the limits of available options, the university will seek to accommodate the student but may have to request that the student move from the residence unit.
      2. People with HIV infection, as with any other infectious disease, are expected to govern their behavior in light of the known risks of transmission of AIDS based on current medical knowledge. An infected student whose behavior is known to endanger others may be isolated or suspended from the university. This decision will be made by a committee composed of the Dean of Student Life, a University Physician and the University Attorney and will be based on the best available medical advice to assure the welfare of the individual and other members of the college community.
         
   5. Food Service and Physical Plant employees will not be restricted from work unless there is evidence of infection or illness for which such workers are normally restricted. (See Center for Disease Control's Morbidity, Mortality Weekly Report, Nov. 15, 1985; page 34.)
   6. An HIV infected student may participate in intercollegiate athletic programs, intramural and club sports following individual assessment by the University Physician and provided that appropriate precautions are taken with regard to contact sports.
   7. Staff of the Health Center, Residence Life, Public Safety, Physical Plant and Athletic Departments will be instructed in and expected to follow the safety guidelines established by the Center for Disease Control for the handling of blood and body fluids.
      

The Policy on HIV Infection/AIDS will be reviewed annually by the Health Center Physician.  In the event that significant changes in policy need to be implemented in light of new developments in medicine and/or the law, the AIDS Task Force* will be convened.  Latest Review July  2008.

*The University AIDS Task Force membership includes staff from the Health Center, the offices of Student Life, Residence Life, Public Relations, Food Services, Human Resources and the Chaplain, as well as student representation. The Director of the Counseling Center chairs the Taskforce.