Bd. Min. 6-24-88.
- Current knowledge indicates college and university students or employees with AIDS, ARC or a positive HIV antibody blood test do not pose a health risk to either students or employees in a usual academic or residential setting. The policy of the University of Missouri is to permit students and employees with AIDS to continue to engage in as many of their normal pursuits as their condition allows. Managers should be sensitive to the medical problem and ensure that such employees are treated consistently with the treatment of other employees. Students will be allowed to continue their enrollment and activities (including continued residency in student housing) as long as they continue to meet academic standards and medical evidence indicates their conditions are not a threat to themselves or others. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality at all times.
- The University also has a legitimate interest in the welfare of all students, employees, and visitors to the campus. Every reasonable precaution will be taken to minimize the risk that an employee's or student's condition will present a health and/or safety hazard to others.
- The University will not discriminate against individuals with HIV infection, AIDS or ARC, but this protection does not include individuals with secondary infections or diseases that would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who may because of the disease or infection be unable to perform duties of their employment. In such cases, the appropriate University personnel or student policy will determine what changes, if any, will be made in the student's or employee's academic or work program.
- In the event of public inquiry concerning AIDS on campus, the Chancellor or the Chancellor's designee will provide appropriate information on behalf of the University. Existing policies regarding confidentiality of employee and student records will be followed.
- Consistent with its concern for students and employees with AIDS, the University offers a range of resources through the AIDS Task Force on each campus and through other campus and UM services.
- Student, employee, and management education and information;
- Referral to agencies and organizations that offer supportive services for life-threatening illnesses;
- Consultation to assist employees in effectively managing health, leave and other benefits.
- The AIDS Task Force on each campus will continue to meet periodically to review and update policy and to make recommendations as new medical facts become available. Each Task Force will continue to encourage programs to educate all members of the campus community about the reality of AIDS.
- To address specialized campus needs, each campus is authorized to adopt and implement special policies related to AIDS which are consistent with this policy statement.
