Policy on HIV/AIDS

The goals of the College Policy are to prevent the spread of HIV infection through education and to address those infected with HIV in a caring, compassionate and informed manner. The  College’s primary response to the HIV infection is prevention through education. The purpose of the education program is to provide an organized institutional effort to protect the College community from the disease and to provide a safe environment. Randolph-Macon will seek to educate students, faculty, and staff about HIV, its modes of transmission, and precautions that may be taken to reduce the likelihood of transmission. The College will seek to disseminate the most currently available knowledge about HIV.

The current information provided by the Centers for Disease Control indicates that HIV infection is not transmitted by ordinary social or occupational contact. An infected person does not endanger others by remaining in classes, laboratories, residence halls or work environments. Based on these facts, Randolph-Macon will not treat differently, solely on the basis of their health status, any person infected with HIV except as expressly provided in this policy.

Students with HIV will not be excluded from enrollment or employment, or restricted in their access to College facilities unless a medically based judgment by the Student Health Service staff determines that restriction is necessary to protect the welfare of the infected individual or the welfare of other members of the College community. Students will not be transferred from assignments or activities due only to their fear of acquiring the infection.

The Counseling Center is available to provide counseling and support for students infected with HIV. The Student Health and Counseling Center staffs will consult with students regarding interactions with persons infected with HIV. Students with MV infection are encouraged to obtain regular medical monitoring and to identify themselves to the Student Health Services so that they may be advised of appropriate medical care and education.

It is important that the confidentiality of medical information be protected. The duty of health care providers to protect the confidentiality of information is superseded by the necessity to protect others (implying a duty to warn) only in circumstances involving a very clear specific risk to other people.

As with other medical conditions, a physician’s statement may be required to certify absences or to provide accommodation arrangements. With appropriate medical recommendation, a student with HIV infection may be excused from institutional requirements for certain vaccinations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Discrimination and harassment against members of the community who have or are thought to have HIV infection or who are perceived to be in high-risk groups will not be tolerated. Infractions will be dealt with through the College discrimination and harassment procedures.

The College seeks to comply with the safety procedures contained in the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the handling of blood and other body fluids.

Each individual in the community has a responsibility to minimize his or her risk of HIV infection by taking appropriate precautions. Individuals infected with the HIV are expected to observe recommended behaviors for preventing the transmission of the virus to others.

In the event of public inquiry concerning HIV infection on campus, the Director of Marketing and Communications will serve as the official spokesperson for the College. All external inquiries should be directed to that office.