Student Health Information
Students are encouraged to have adequate insurance to take care of medical expenses incurred. See the Student Accident Health Insurance for Specific Programs for information.
Students are honor bound to stay home when sick or exhibiting symptoms of illness.
COVID-19 Protocols. Students are expected to follow all processes and procedures per the PBSC Panther Proud! Panther Strong! Panther Safe! Return to Campus Protocol in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic which include self reporting exposures and positive tests for COVID-19 illness. This plan is subject to revision based upon any new relevant data and conditions.
Palm Beach State College is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our students. Panthers are expected to practice social distancing, good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and using facial coverings and adhere to all COVID-19 protocols.
AIDS/Infectious Disease Policy. The College is committed to a policy of non-discrimination for those diagnosed HIV/AIDS positive. Current knowledge indicates that students or employees with AIDS, Aids-Related Complex, or a positive HTLV-III antibody test do not necessarily pose a health risk to other students or employees in an academic setting. Students with AIDS, Aids-Related Complex, or a positive HTLV-III antibody test will be offered regular classroom attendance, and participation in activities in an unrestricted manner as long as they are able to do so, and their condition is not a threat to themselves or others. Except where coursework requires involvement with body fluids, no special policies, procedures or rules will be imposed on students diagnosed with HIV. The College recognizes that a student’s or employee’s health condition is personal and confidential. In the event of an absence from school because of an AIDS-related illness, the same confidentiality requirements that apply to any medical condition apply. Therefore, reasonable steps will be taken to protect such information from being disclosed inappropriately.
If coursework requires involvement of bodily fluids, the condition will be reviewed by a college committee consisting of the Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management, two College employees in the health care field, and one other administrator, counselor or faculty/instructor appointed by the President. The committee will review the facts and recommend to the President whether or not action should be taken. The committee will consider “reasonable accommodation” if it is determined that some type of action is required.
HIV and AIDS Resources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention-HIV Basics: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention-HIV 101 Info Sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/consumer-info-sheets/cdc-hiv-consumer-info-sheet-hiv-101.pdf
Center for Disease Control and Prevention-Factors that Increase HIV Risk: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-transmission/increase-hiv-risk.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention-PrEP: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
Measles Immunization. It is strongly recommended that all students who are either under the age of 35 years and have not had measles or rubella or who was immunized for this disease before 1965, obtain a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination or obtain proof of immunization prior to attending the College. Certain Limited Access programs require documentation of immunization. Refer to specific program information. Vaccination or proof of immunization can be obtained through the Belle Glade, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Riviera Beach, and West Palm Beach Health Department clinics.