Page 44 - Smith College Student Handbook 16-17

Policies, Procedures & Guidelines
AIDS Guidelines for the Smith College Community
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Because Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a public health problem that has spread throughout the world and because it is an
infectious, life-threatening disease with no cure at this time, it is appropriate to formulate AIDS guidelines for the entire Smith College
community. These guidelines are based on recommendations of the American College Health Association, the Centers for Disease Control,
the U.S. Public Health Service and the American Council on Education.

Although there is a great deal of medical information about the nature and transmission of AIDS, the college recognizes that AIDS raises
complex medical, educational and social issues. These guidelines are consistent with the existing Smith College policies which prohibit
discrimination against those with special needs while promoting the safety and well-being of the college community. The guidelines are also
intended to educate the community in order to protect individuals from unfounded fears and discrimination.

These guidelines are designed to steer decision making and programs about AIDS on campus and to enable the college to address, analyze
and resolve matters on a case-by-case basis. The college may amend these guidelines as new information becomes available.

An ad hoc committee, representing a broad spectrum of the college community, will be appointed by the president to consider any campus
issue or controversy regarding AIDS and to make recommendations regarding relevant college policy to the College Council on Community
Policy. Any member of the community may bring AIDS-related issues to the committee for its consideration. These issues will be dealt with
confidentially.

Individuals infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-infected individuals) include those who have AIDS or a positive HIV
antibody test. Current epidemiological data indicate that the AIDS virus is not spread by casual person-to-person contact and that students or
employees with AIDS or a positive HIV antibody test do not pose a health risk to other students and employees in an academic setting.
Current studies from the Centers for Disease Control show that there has been:

no evidence of person-to-person transmission through ordinary residential
or social contact such as working near or attending class with or sharing

the same household or residence with people with AIDS.

no evidence that AIDS is spread through hand-shaking, telephones,
toilets, the preparation and serving of foods and beverages or through

casual contact with saliva or tears.

The virus that causes AIDS is transmitted through infected blood, blood products, body fluids, semen and vaginal secretions, primarily
through intimate sexual contact and the sharing of contaminated hypodermic needles. It is also spread from infected mothers to unborn
children.

Prevention Statement
Smith College supports the ongoing, comprehensive education of the Smith College community about the transmission and prevention of
AIDS, high-risk behavior and the importance of confidentiality.
Guidelines
These guidelines are designed for the entire Smith College community, which includes the faculty, staff and students (“members of the Smith
College community”).
1. Existence of HIV infection will not preclude admission to the college.
2. Existence of HIV infection will not preclude the hiring or advancement of an individual. Smith College will not attempt to identify
those in high-risk groups or require screening of such persons or of any other individuals.
3. Individuals who make it known that they are HIV-infected:
a. will not be prevented from attending classes or working, as long as they are able to do so without jeopardizing the
health of others, and
b. will not be prevented from using any campus facilities or participating in all phases of college life, as long as they are
able to do so without jeopardizing the health of others.

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