Alcorn State University does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of diagnoses of HIV infection or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Knowledge of a person’s HIV status should be treated in a confidential manner by all
members of the University community.

No restrictions will be automatically
placed on students, staff, or faculty

who are known to have HIV infection in terms
of their abilities to work, study, or take part
in activities on campus. Nevertheless, the University
will consider the interests of theaffected individual,
the University, and the University community.

Each case shall be considered individually. It is expected that such case-by-case consideration will use guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, American College Health Association, and other recognized authorities on the disease. These decisions will also be guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the University’s exposure control plan as set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.

This policy is based on current scientific and medical information which indicates that persons with HIV infection do not necessarily pose a health risk to others in a campus setting. Currently, there is no documented medical evidence of risk created by living in the same house with, caring for, eating food handled by, being coughed or sneezed upon, casual kissing, or swimming in a pool with an infected person. Known avenues of transmission include blood and body fluid exchange and sexual intercourse.

As with other diseases and conditions

which may affect persons at the University from time to time, the University is unable to ensure that a member of the University community may not be exposed to HIV infection. Therefore, the University urges that all members of the University become informed about the infection in order that each person may take precautions as (s)he determines appropriate.

In order to facilitate AIDS education and because the primary mission of the University is education, the University is committed to the goal of educating students, faculty, and employees about HIV- and AIDS-related conditions.