Source: University AIDS Guidelines Committee
Introduction
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The infection is transmitted via semen, vaginal secretions, or blood to blood contact (such as from sharing intravenous needles or receiving a contaminated transfusion). To date, there is no record of transmission of HIV to family members except by sexual contacts or intravenous drug contacts. Although HIV can be found in other body fluids such as urine, feces, and saliva, its presence in these other secretions has not been associated with transmission of HIV. The United States Public Health Service states that there is no risk created by working with, sitting near, living in the same household with, playing with, or going to school with an individual with HIV. AIDS is not transmitted by casual kissing, eating food handled by, or swimming in the same pool as a person with HIV.
Boston College has developed the following guidelines in response to the existence of AIDS. They are derived from the best scientific data available. The primary goal in establishing the guidelines is to ensure the rights and safety of individuals with HIV as well as to maintain a balanced and prudent concern for the health and safety of the whole community.
As is true for any person with a life-threatening illness, a person with AIDS needs compassion and reassurance in order to cope with the vulnerability and fear that are associated with the illness. The support and understanding of friends and colleagues are particularly valuable. The guidelines were formulated to reflect the University's intent to create an atmosphere that is characterized by support and compassion for those who may be affected by the disease.
In the guidelines, any reference to a "person with HIV" will include those who have a condition meeting the official surveillance definition of AIDS itself and those who are currently healthy but have tested positive for HIV.
Guidelines
- Boston College will not tolerate discrimination against or harassment of a student, faculty member, or employee who has HIV or is suspected of having HIV. A student, faculty member, or employee with HIV will be encouraged to continue his or her status at the University for as long as his or her physical condition permits.
- Current medical practice encourages early identification of HIV/AIDS. Information on testing and referral is available through University Health Services. Students, faculty members, and employees with HIV will be assured access to all University facilities except as noted in Guideline 3. The University will work with any student, faculty member, or employee with HIV to adjust the requirements of courses, programs, or job responsibilities to avoid any situations in which there is a risk of transmission of HIV.
- Boston College expects that a member of its community living with HIV will be responsible for conducting his or her activities so as to protect the other members of the community. This means not participating in behavior that would create risk of transmitting HIV to others. The University has the right to reconsider the status of a student, faculty member, or employee with HIV who fails to act responsibly. If a person with HIV does not voluntarily restrict his or her participation in activities where there may be a risk of transmission of HIV, the Director of Health Services may initiate action to disqualify the individual from participation in such activities.
- A member of the Boston College community who has AIDS or HIV is strongly encouraged to inform the Director of Health Services concerning his or her health status. Only with this information can the University provide protection and care during that person's continued presence in the community.
- Boston College will protect the privacy of persons living with HIV and will respect the confidentiality of any information provided by an individual and his or her physicians. The medical information will not be released to anyone without prior specific written consent of the individual unless the Director of Health Services feels there is imminent danger to the individual or others. Individuals who are informed within these guidelines are expected to respect the confidentiality of a person with HIV.
- University housing assignments for students with HIV will be made through the regular assignment process, subject to review by the Director of University Health Services.
- Any dispute concerning the application of the guidelines can be appealed through the current grievance processes that are available to students, faculty members, and employees of Boston College. For faculty members, a review of the grievance committee is available in the Bylaws of the Trustees of Boston College and in the University Statutes Handbook in Chapter 2, Section 11C. Students may appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean for Student Development. Grievance procedures for employees are outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Due to rapid developments in the study of AIDS, these guidelines are intended to be flexible and are not considered blanket policy statements.
At this time, there is no cure for AIDS. Therefore, the University provides education to promote an understanding of the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid contracting AIDS and medical information to alleviate fears and anxieties about the disease. Educational literature is available at various locations throughout campus. In addition, educational programs have been and continue to be offered to the University community through University Health Services, the Office of Residential Life, the Office of Human Resources, the Undergraduate Government, and the b.l.u.e. Peer Program. The educational programs are aimed at increasing the awareness and sensitivity of the community to the reality of AIDS, and at creating and fostering an informed, supportive, and caring environment that is responsive to the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
For More Information
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
21 Campanella Way, Suite 260
617-552-3280
www.bc.edu/vpsa
University Health Services
Cushing Hall 119
617-552-3225
www.bc.edu/health_services
University Counseling Services
Gasson Hall 108
617-552-3310
www.bc.edu/counseling
Faculty/Staff Assistance Program
Lyons Hall 401
617-552-3340
http://www.bc.edu/offices/hr/resources/programs/facultystaff-assist.html
CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY PROGRAM
Source: Office of the General Counsel
Information regarding the University's security awareness and crime prevention program is published in the Campus Safety and Security Program. The document, distributed each year to all members of the University community as a component of the Boston College Important Notices and Disclosures mailing, is available from the Office of the Financial Vice President and Treasurer. In addition, the following campus safety and security policies may be referenced in the Boston College Policies and Procedures Manual at www.bc.edu/policy: Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act, 5-350-200; Reporting Crimes and Other Emergencies, 5-350-210; Safety Notification Procedure, 5-350-220; Campus Facilities: Security, Access, and Maintenance, 5-350-230; Campus Law Enforcement, 5-350-240; and Campus Sexual Assault Program, 5-350-250.
GROUP OR ORGANIZATION PROMOTION AND SOLICITATION
Source: Office of the Dean for Student Development
As an institution of higher education, Boston College welcomes a diversity of ideas, religions, and cultural backgrounds in furthering student learning and knowledge. A free exchange of beliefs and ideas is a healthy means to evaluate, change, clarify, or reinforce values and commitments. With these academic freedoms come responsibilities that include respecting the rights of others not to be pressured, harassed, intimidated, or threatened into joining a particular group or becoming involved in its activities.
Practices or behaviors that are detrimental or injurious to students or that are clearly and demonstrably contrary to the essential purposes for which Boston College was founded and exists cannot be tolerated. To guard against such acts, the University has the right to provide guidelines and controls. Conduct considered injurious to health, safety, welfare, privacy, or educational mission includes but is not limited to:
- acts adversely impacting academic or vocational pursuits;
- acts adversely impacting financial status or condition;
- false, deceptive, secretive, or unethical promotion or advertising that conceals or obfuscates a group's true goals, objectives, connections, or nature of agenda;
- intrusion by visits, calls, electronic mail, or mailings to student residence halls or non-public areas of campus;
- non-students or non-University affiliated individuals posing as students or affiliates for the purpose of solicitation; or
- attempts to physically, mentally, or emotionally force or coerce a student into enlisting in a group and participating in its activities.
To ensure and maintain the safety, security, and expected privacy of the living areas and an environment conducive to academic pursuits, all solicitation is prohibited within the residence hall system unless specifically approved by the Director of Residential Life. Residence halls are not public forums. Individual students may invite guests into their rooms but must ensure that the guests are properly signed-in and observe University rules. Any use of a residence room must be based upon consent of all roommates.
Outside of the residence halls, student groups or non-affiliated or non-registered groups must obtain permission from the Office of the Dean for Student Development to solicit for any purpose. Intimidation, threats, or unreasonable interference with work, academic performance, or personal living environment will be subject to judicial and/or legal actions. Massachusetts state law strictly prohibits hazing by any person or group for any reason.
Questions, concerns, or complaints may be addressed to the Dean for Student Development, 21 Campanella Way, Suite 212, 617-552-3470.
SALES AND SOLICITATIONS
See the Boston College Policies and Procedures Manual at www.bc.edu/policy: Sales and Solicitations, 3-200-130.
See the Boston College Policies and Procedures Manual at www.bc.edu/policy: Student Education Records, 4-730-005.
USE OF BOSTON COLLEGE INDICIA
(UNIVERSITY TRADEMARKS AND LOGOS)
See the Boston College Policies and Procedures Manual at www.bc.edu/policy: Use of Boston College Indicia, 1-100-050.
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