Student Handbook 2012-13

Infectious Disease Policy

Because of the rapid spread of infectious diseases, including the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus, it is likely that LeTourneau University will be faced with students or employees who have contracted infectious diseases, AIDS, or AIDS-related diseases. To ensure that proper procedures are taken to protect all individuals in the campus community, including the infected person, the following policy has been adopted.

LeTourneau University strives to provide appropriate information to faculty, staff, and students regarding the nature of infectious diseases and their transmission. Effective educational efforts and the development of a Christian outlook, well in advance of any possible crisis, are the best assurance that an actual crisis will be dealt with lovingly, rationally, and without panic.

The purpose of the Infectious Disease Committee at LeTourneau is to review and update policies and guidelines; to ensure that appropriate and necessary precautionary measures are taken to reduce disease transmission risk in campus activities and functions and in University-sanctioned off-campus activities; and to advise appropriate personnel in the campus community regarding communicable disease educational programming.

The following statements of procedure and policy shall apply to students and staff members: 

• Each case shall be reviewed by the Infectious Disease Committee. The final decision as to a student’s or employee’s exclusion from or inclusion in LeTourneau University shall be made by the University President, who will have been advised by the Committee.
• The Committee shall be provided information that the student/staff has an infectious disease; it should be aware of confidentiality requirements. LeTourneau University shall respect the right to privacy of the individual.
• The Committee shall recommend the level of the infected person’s participation in campus activities.
• The University may interrupt a student’s continued enrollment at the University if the student’s continuing enrollment--based on accepted medical knowledge--is a clear and present danger to others, or if the student presents a significant hazard to his or her own health.

The Infectious Disease Committee membership consists of: 

Permanent Members: 

• Dean of Students - Chairman
• Vice President for Enrollment Services 
• Executive Vice President for Business and Administration
• Director of Health Services
• Director of Counseling Services

 Other Members: 

• Faculty Member 
• Faculty Member from the Kinesiology Department 
• Appropriate Cabinet Level Administrator