HIV/AIDS Policy

The University recognizes the occurrence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and has adopted policies and practices that presume the possibility of HIV presence. The safeguards below are built primarily around the issues of confidentiality and nondiscrimination.

  • No student shall be denied enrollment and no individual shall be denied employment on the basis of HIV infection.
  • Testing for HIV infection shall not be a requirement of admission or employment.
  • Individuals who are HIV infected, whether or not symptomatic, shall not be denied free and unrestricted access to all campus facilities, programs, and events.
  • HIV infection shall not be used as a reason to restrict participation in any educational, recreational, social, or athletic activity of the institution.
  • Students who know that they are HIV infected are encouraged, though not required, to discuss their condition with the Health Center for a referral to an expert for proper medical care and follow-up. Any disclosure shall be kept in the strictest confidence in accordance with the maintenance of confidentiality of medical records and will be released only with the express written permission of the seropositive student, unless required by law to be reported.
  • No individual shall be denied access to residential housing nor otherwise isolated, restricted, or segregated on the basis of HIV infection.
  • The Health Center will be available to provide students with medical guidance, supervision, and appropriate referrals for HIV antibody testing. All such involvement with the Health Service as well as any information shared or generated by its guidance will be kept strictly confidential unless required by law to be reported.
  • The Health Center must report to local public-health authorities any cases of AIDS meeting the criteria of the surveillance definition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Any student concerned about HIV or HIV-related issues may seek personal counseling and assistance through the Counseling Center. As with the Health Center, confidentiality shall be strictly protected within statutory limits.
  • Any employee having questions regarding HIV infection and its relationship to employment or the workplace may address them to Human Resources. All such questions or concerns shall be kept strictly confidential.
  • In accordance with confidentiality guidelines regarding medical information, the institution is unable to inform co-workers, instructors, roommates, or anyone else of another's HIV status.
  • Parents, media, or other persons outside the institutional community seeking information regarding the status of HIV infection on campus or the institution's response to such infection shall be directed to the president of the institution or a designee.

Additional Resources

AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania (legal assistance)

NOVUS (local LGBTQ+ friendly medical care)

National Institutes of Health: Understanding HIV (facts, resources, & hotlines)

Employee Assistance Program (counseling services/resources for employees)

The institution recognizes that, as information about HIV/AIDS or related laws change, the institution's position and practices may shift. This policy will be updated accordingly.