Protection of Rights

The University respects an individual’s right to confidentiality and shall not disclose any information relating to the known or perceived HIV/AIDS status of a staff member or student without the individuals informed written consent. Any person to whom information about the HIV status of a person has been divulged is legally required to keep this information confidential and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that this information is not obtained by a third party.

Staff
1. The University rejects HIV testing as a prerequisite for recruitment or promotion and no staff member will be required to have an HIV test or to reveal their HIV status;
2. Staff are however, encouraged to have an HIV test to determine their HIV status which will enable them to access care and support if they should be HIV-positive;
3. HIV positive employees will be protected against discrimination, victimisation or harassment;
4. If or when a staff member with HIV/AIDS becomes medically unfit to continue working under normal conditions current legal provisions for alternatives will be followed. If, however, the person is no longer able to work, the appropriate provisions in the conditions of service relating to termination of work on medical grounds and standard Institutional disability and incapacity procedures will be followed.
Students
1. No student shall be required to have an HIV test or reveal his/her HIV status prior to admission or as a condition of continuing studies;
2. Students are however, encouraged to have an HIV test to determine their HIV status which will enable them to access care and support if they should be HIV-positive;
3. Students living with HIV shall be treated no differently from students with similar life-threatening illnesses;
4. Students who are HIV-positive or have AIDS will not be prevented from attending lectures, living in residences or taking part in campus activities;
5. HIV positive students will be protected against discrimination, victimisation or harassment.