College Board OKs Revised AIDS Policy

The Ventura County Community College Board unanimously approved a revised AIDS policy this week after a year and a half of debate over the contents.

The board originally adopted the policy in 1988 but agreed to revise it as disagreement arose over the policy’s endorsement of condom dispensers in the colleges’ restrooms. The new policy does not mention condom dispensers, and board members said the issue might best be left up to the individual colleges.

In perhaps its most controversial passage, the new policy calls for infected individuals associated with the campuses to make a full disclosure of their disease status when the health or safety of another is at risk.

A passage added Tuesday night also orders the district to stress “maximum disease prevention through an aggressive promotion of healthy behaviors and personal responsibility.”

Board member Allan Jacobs said he was uncomfortable with the term “healthy behaviors.”

“That implies controlling someone’s behavior,” he said. “I would rather leave it out.”

Board member Karen Boone, who originally proposed the addition, called it necessary and not at all controversial. “We just want to present the facts about healthy lifestyles and let the students and the staff make the choices that are right for them,” she said. “We just want to provide a positive, preventative approach.”