Student Life

AIDS Policy

Definitions

AIDS (AIDS) is a condition in which the body's ability to defend itself against a variety of diseases is seriously reduced. This condition apparently is caused by a virus known most commonly as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virus. As yet there is no known cure for AIDS.

HIV Positive - When a person is infected with the HIV virus, his or her immune system responds by producing antibodies against the virus. Antibodies can be detected by a laboratory test,though symptoms of illness may not be present. Antibodies generally develop within 3-12 weeks after exposure but may take as long as 14 months. Such an infection apparently cannot be reversed, and may develop into AIDS .

Principles Underlying the Bethel College Policy

  1. A primary objective of Bethel College AIDS policy is education for the prevention of any acquisition or transmission of AIDS.
  2. Bethel College, as a Christian community, shall respond to any known case of AIDS as it would to any other life-threatening, contagious disease. At no time will the college discriminate against any persons simply because they are infected by the AIDS virus.
  3. Bethel College, as a Christian community, maintains that the prevention of the spread of AIDS is assured best by a lifestyle which is free from the use of illegal drugs, and which reserves sexual relations for monogamous, heterosexual marriages. Such a lifestyle is consistent with its Christian heritage and biblical teachings.
  4. Bethel College, as a Christian community, maintains that the prevention of the spread of AIDS is assured best by a lifestyle which is free from the use of illegal drugs, and which reserves sexual relations for monogamous, heterosexual marriages. Such a lifestyle is consistent with its Christian heritage and biblical teachings.
  5. The Bethel College personnel will act to combat fear, prejudice, discrimination, irrationality, paranoia and/or hysteria commonly associated with AIDS/HIV.

Policy

  1. Responsibility for ongoing, educational programming on AIDS shall be assigned to the office of student development. Such educational programming shall be directed to all members of the Bethel College community, including administrators, faculty, staff and students.
  2. The college Wellness Center, as part of the student development office, will keep the college community updated on information on AIDS, including prevention and control strategies.
  3. Bethel College shall attempt to conform to all local, state and federal laws and the Center for Disease Control guidelines.
  4. Bethel College allows persons who are HIV positive to remain on campus, but they must not engage in or endorse life-style practices which might pose direct threat of transmitting the virus to others.
  5. Bethel will not undertake program screening to identify persons with the HIV virus unless required to do so by law. Students and college employees desiring HIV testing are directed to seek assistance from their personal physicians or public health departments.
  6. The college Wellness Center will adhere to medically determined policies regarding the safe disposal of hypodermic needles, blood and other body fluids. Adherence to these same precautions will be practiced in laboratory courses and wherever members of the Bethel College community, including administrators, faculty, staff and students encounter bodily fluids.
  7. College employees will protect the confidentiality of any person who tests HIV positive, as mandated by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
  8. Students and college employees involved in extra-curricular activities and/or activities which place them at risk shall take appropriate, precautionary measures to reduce risk to themselves or others.
  9. Due to the inherent risks of laboratory and nursing-clinical facilities, students are required to take appropriate precautionary measures in dealing with blood and body fluids, handling of needles, and any laboratory or hospital equipment that may pose a threat to themselves or to other persons. In the event of an incident involving risk of HIV transmission, the student or college employee has an ethical duty to immediately report the incident to a designated college official.
  10. Additional information on AIDS/HIV can be obtained from the Center for Disease Control. (www.cdc.gov) or (chi.ucsf.edu).
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