Purpose
The Board acknowledges the serious threat to our community and nation posed by the AIDS epidemic. This policy and other procedures developed by the Chancellor shall emphasize educating employees and students concerning AIDS and managing each case of AIDS individually with sensitivity, flexibility, and concern for the individual as well as employees and students. In addition, this policy defines and addresses other communicable diseases which from time to time arise in the colleges and District among students and employees.

Philosophy
The District's decisions concerning a person who has a communicable disease shall be based upon current and well-informed medical judgement which includes the nature of the disease, risk of transmission to others, symptoms and special circumstances of the person, and balancing identifiable risks and available alternatives to respond to a student or employee with a communicable disease.

Nondiscrimination
Students: No student will be required to cease attending a college or participating in college functions solely on the basis of diagnosis of a communicable disease.
Employees: An employee who has a communicable disease will be treated in the same manner as other employees who have other illnesses or injuries.

Confidentiality
The District shall comply with applicable statutes and regulations, which protect the privacy of persons who have a communicable disease.

Education
The Chancellor shall develop and maintain a comprehensive educational program regarding HIV infection for students and employees.

Each college shall have a Communicable Disease Coordinator. The coordinator shall be a registered nurse who has received training in communicable diseases, particularly HIV infection. A student or employee who has a communicable disease is strongly encouraged to report the disease to the coordinator.

Counseling
The Communicable Disease Coordinator shall refer students and employees to sources of testing for HIV infection and counseling upon voluntary request. An individual shall bear the expenses of such testing and counseling.

For further information or assistance, please call 214-860-8758, or visit the College Police Department in Room W135.