Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
Texas Senate Bill 1107 and subsequent Senate Bill 62 requires all students entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination 10 days before the first day of classes. Therefore, if you are under the age of 22 and are 1) a returning student, who did NOT attend classes at Lamar State College Orange the preceding long semester, 2) an entering freshman, OR 3) a transfer student, you must submit evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. Students that are taking online only courses DO NOT need to submit evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. However, must complete a signed notarized waiver that may be obtained from the Admission & Records Office and may only enroll in on-line classes. To learn important facts about Bacterial Meningitis http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/index.html.
Proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination or exemption:
Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days prior to attending classes.
- A document bearing the signature or stamp of a physician, his or her designee, or public health official that states the name of the vaccination, the name and address of the medical facility, and the day, month and year that the vaccination was administered.
- An official immunization record generated by a state or local health authority. This record must state the name of the vaccination, the name and address of the medical facility, and the day, month and year that the vaccination was administered.
- An official school record that indicates a current bacterial meningitis vaccination. This record must state the name of the vaccination, the name and address of the medical facility, and the day, month and year that the vaccination was administered.
Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in the following format:
- To claim an exclusion for medical reasons, the student must present a statement signed by a physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States who has examined the student, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.
- An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. For information about requesting a conscientious objection exemption form from DSHS click here: http://collegevaccinerequirements.com/.
Important Considerations:
- The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.
- Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.
How to provide proof of bacterial meningitis or exemption:
After evaluating multiple platforms, Lamar State College Orange chose an established provider, MedProctor. We are adopting this system because it:
- Reduces the future burden of paperwork on our students.
- Provides HIPAA and FERPA privacy and security practices to the information.
- Makes this information instantly available to you, the student, if the need arises in the future.
- Advances the speed of care and communication of our staff to you in the event of an outbreak or an illness.
After applying for admission students will receive an email from MedProctor containing instructions on how to set up their account and provide the information required by the state. The bacterial meningitis vaccine or exemption from the vaccine must be provided to MedProctor before registration. All students are required to submit their information through MedProctor.
Tobacco-Free Institution
The Texas State University System Board of Regents passed a rule requiring all component institutions to prohibit the use of ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS on properties owned by the System; there will be no exceptions. The Tobacco-Free Policy is in effect as of June 1, 2012. The rule applies to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Violators are subject to established administrative/disciplinary policies and procedures. The Tobacco-Free Policy may be viewed on the Lamar State College Orange web page at www.lsco.edu.
Policy Statement on AIDS
The following is an excerpt of the Lamar State College Orange Policy on AIDS. Any employee, student or contractor of the College may request a copy of the AIDS Policy in its entirety from the Human Resources Department.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal disease that has become a nationwide public health problem.
Lamar State College Orange acknowledges the seriousness of this problem. In health-related matters such as this, the College follows the guidelines of recognized authorities including the National Center for Disease Control, the United States Public Health Service, the Department of State Health Services and the American College Health Association. Further, the College shall conform its actions to the Texas Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act and other laws.
No current evidence exists that individuals infected with human immunodeficiency (HIV), the “AIDS Virus,” can infect other individuals by casual contact. Accordingly, there is no reason to exclude individuals with AIDS, AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) or a positive test for antibody to HIV from campus academic, from social or cultural activities. Therefore, on the basis of current knowledge of the disease, individuals sharing common living space, work or study areas, libraries, classrooms, recreational facilities, and theaters do not represent a problem or public threat to the campus community.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Lamar State College Orange does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to or operations of its programs, services or activities. Lamar State College Orange does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices.
Under the ADA a person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to Lamar State College Orange’s designated ADA Compliance Coordinator in room 364 of the Ron E. Lewis Library Building.
Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in programs and services of Lamar State College Orange are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the Office of Disability Support Services, third floor of the Ron E. Lewis Library Building.
Sexual Misconduct Policy
The following is an excerpt of the Lamar State College Orange Sexual Misconduct Policy. Any employee, student or contractor of the College may request a copy of the Sexual Misconduct Policy in its entirety from the Human Resources Department. It is also available on the LSCO website at lsco.edu/titleix/titleix.asp.
The Texas State University System and Lamar State College Orange are committed to creating and maintaining educational communities in which each individual is respected, appreciated, and valued. LSCO diligently strives to foster an environment that permits and encourages everyone to perform at their highest levels. LSCO’s focus on tolerance, openness, and respect is key in providing every member of the LSCO community with basic human dignity free from all forms of Sexual Misconduct, including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. Any report of behavior that threatens our institutional values and breaches this Policy shall be promptly investigated and remediated in accordance with principles of law, fairness, and equity to all Parties involved.
LSCO complies with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits sex discrimination in employment; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits discrimination based on age, and the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act. Sexual misconduct, as defined in the College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, constitutes a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX and Title VII.
Concealed Handguns on Campus
In 2015, the Texas Legislature approved and the governor signed legislation permitting individuals who possess a concealed handgun license to carry a concealed handgun on a college campus. The legislation became effective on August 1, 2016. Lamar State College Orange has developed this policy pursuant to the requirements of Texas Government Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 411, Subchapter H, Section 411.2031.
An individual possessing a valid concealed handgun license is entitled to carry a concealed handgun on the campus and premises of Lamar State College Orange. License holders who carry a handgun on campus must carry it on or about their persons, concealed at all times, or secured in a locked, privately-owned or leased motor vehicle. A license holder may not carry a handgun that is partially or wholly visible on the campus of Lamar State College Orange. Students who expose or otherwise reveal the presence of a concealed handgun are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion. Members of the faculty and staff who expose or otherwise reveal the presence of a concealed handgun are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Any individual who fails to meet the responsibilities required of a concealed handgun license holder may be reported to state authorities and may be subject to penalties that result in the revocation of their license. Concealed Handgun License holders are not required to disclose their status to anyone other than a law enforcement officer. Lamar State College Orange employees may not, under any circumstances, require faculty, staff, students, or visitors to disclose their concealed handgun status.
Prohibited Concealed Carry Locations
- Any premise where a high school interscholastic event is taking place.
- Any premise where a governmental meeting is taking place.
- Any premise where a formal hearing such as student disciplinary hearing, student grade appeal hearing, or employee disciplinary hearing is being held.
- Any and all Prohibited Concealed Carry Locations must be clearly identified and the campus community must be given advance notice of when and where the restrictions will be imposed. Written notices must include the following language:
Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun.
- Any signage designating a Prohibited Concealed Carry Location must meet these minimum requirements: include the above italicized language in both English and Spanish; use contrasting colors with block lettering at least one inch in height; and be displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public.
Review
- The president will appoint a Concealed Carry Committee that will in each even numbered year review the policy and its effectiveness. The committee may recommend changes to the Prohibited Conceal Carry Locations and address any other concerns of the campus community.
- Any changes to this policy shall be submitted to the TSUS Board of Regents for approval in accord with the timeline provided in Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code.
- The president shall submit a report to the Texas Legislature by September 1st of each even numbered year describing Lamar State College Orange’s policies, rules, regulations, and/or provision relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on campus. The Texas State University System Chancellor and the Board of Regents shall each be provided copies of the report.
Free Speech and Assembly
The LSCO Free Speech and Assembly policies can be found in the Student Handbook, Student Services and Activities/Policies and Procedures, Speech and Assembly.
|