University Policy 9270
Effective Date
August 21, 2020
Last Revision Date
November 19, 2024
Responsible Party
Public Health, (208) 426-1523
University Health Services, (208) 426-1459
Scope and Audience
This policy applies to all Members of the University Community.
Additional Authority
- Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Idaho Code § 33-3730 (Procedures to Prevent the Spread of Infectious Disease)
- Idaho Code § 39-4802 (Immunization – Exemptions)
- IDAPA 16.02.10 (Idaho Reportable Diseases)
- University Policy 2020 (Student Code of Conduct)
- University Policy 9140 (Environmental Health and Safety)
- University Policy 12020 (Exclusion from Campus)
1. Policy Purpose
To establish procedures, responsibilities, and guidelines for the effective management and prevention of Communicable Diseases affecting the University community.
2. Policy Statement
Boise State University is committed to providing a safe working, learning, and living environment for all Members of the University Community by preventing and/or minimizing the spread of Communicable Diseases. Subject to Idaho State Board of Education authority, the university generally seeks to adhere to the guidance of Public Health Officials to prevent and/or minimize the transmission of Communicable Diseases.
3. Definitions
3.1 Close Contact
Contact with an individual with a Communicable Disease that is deemed by Public Health Officials to put the uninfected person at enough risk for acquiring the disease and transmitting it to others that mitigating action is necessary.
3.2 Communicable Disease
An infectious disease that is spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person, or from a surface or a food and has the capacity to significantly threaten the health and safety of Members of the University Community.
3.3 Contact Tracing
A process that involves identifying an individual who has a Communicable Disease (case) and their exposed contacts, then working with those individuals to interrupt disease transmission.
3.4 Epidemic
The occurrence of more cases of disease than expected in a given area or among a specific group of individuals over a particular period of time.
3.5 Exposure
The mechanism and timing connected to the person-to-person spread of a Communicable Disease.
3.6 Facial Covering
Mask or respirator meant to protect from and/or prevent transmission of viruses spread through the air.
3.7 Healthcare Provider
A licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or other provider acting within the scope of their state licensure.
3.8 Isolate/Isolation or Quarantine
Sequestration of an individual from contact with the University community for a prescribed period to prevent the spread of a Communicable Disease.
3.9 Members of the University Community
For purposes of this policy, all University employees, students, volunteers, visitors, and any individual who comes to campus for any purpose.
3.10 Outbreak
The sudden rise in the incidence of a disease in a defined geographic area.
3.11 Pandemic
An extensive Epidemic that has spread over several countries, continents or the world, usually affecting a large number of people.
3.12 Physical Distancing
A public health practice used to prevent the spread of a Communicable Disease by putting space between individuals.
3.13 Public Health Officials
Local, regional, state, and national or federal health departments and agencies, such as Central District Health (CDH), the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
3.14 Restriction
To limit the activities of a person to reduce the risk of transmitting a communicable disease until such time that they are no longer considered a health risk to others.
3.15 Reportable Disease
Under outbreak situations, certain diseases may be required to be reported to Boise State Public Health for tracking purposes, determining disease impact, monitoring trends in disease, and guiding prevention strategies.
3.16 Restrictable Disease
A Communicable Disease which if left unrestricted, may have serious consequences to the public’s health. The determination of whether a disease is restrictable is based on the environmental setting and the likelihood of transmission to susceptible persons.
4. Public Health Responsibilities
a. Public Health is responsible for tracking reported Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks of Communicable Diseases.
b. Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Director of University Health Services, is the University lead on all public health matters, including Communicable Diseases, which are related to faculty, other employees, and students.
c. Public Health and/or the Executive Director of University Health Services will initiate an investigation after receiving a report of a potential Communicable Disease to determine the validity of the information. If the report is verified, and it is determined that the Communicable Disease poses a threat to the health and safety of the University community, Public Health and/or the Executive Director of University Health Services will convey the necessary information to the President.
d. Public Health and/or the Executive Director of University Health Services will notify and work with Public Health Officials to provide appropriate diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic measures for the affected individual(s) and the health and safety of Members of the University Community.
e. Public Health will determine and communicate, based on the Communicable Disease concern and its potential impact on the campus community, what interventions are necessary and for whom. Interventions could include but are not limited to required disease reporting, testing, Isolation, and Quarantine. Such interventions will be pre-authorized by the Idaho State Board of Education.
f. Campus communications will address campus mandates based on the most current information available, which all Members of the University Community are required to follow to ensure the health and safety of the entire campus community. Where required, emergency notifications for Communicable Disease Outbreaks will be issued pursuant to University Policy 12110 (Emergency Notification).
5. Student and Employee Responsibilities
Students, faculty, and other employees who are not fully remote must adhere to the following health and safety requirements:
a. Follow all Idaho State Board of Education and/or Boise State-authorized safety measures, procedures, responsibilities, and guidance, absent medical inability, to stop or slow the progression of a Communicable Disease, which may include but is not limited to:
- Physical Distancing, wearing a Facial Covering, submitting to screening, Isolating, or Quarantining
- Assisting with cleaning and disinfection of work, classroom, study, or recreation space
- Closing the University or any of its buildings, campuses, programs, or activities
- Other measures as required
Faculty and other employees unable to comply with any recommended safety measures due to a medical condition should consult with Human Resources and Workforce Strategy to determine if an accommodation is appropriate. Students should consult with the Educational Access Center.
b. Obtain advice, as needed, from a Healthcare Provider if one is known or suspected to have a Communicable Disease and, if indicated, to obtain follow-up treatment.
c. Cease normal activities on campus (other than for purposes of seeking medical treatment) when required, following Public Health Official guidelines if diagnosed with a Communicable Disease.
d. Cooperate with requests by the local public health district and Public Health.
6. Procedures
During a Communicable Disease Outbreak or notification of a rise in cases of a Communicable Disease within the campus or surrounding community, the Idaho State Board of Education may authorize, or may delegate authority to the University president, to authorize any of the following:
a. Public Health and/or the Executive Director of University Health Services may institute such orders as necessary and recommended by Public Health Officials to slow or stop the progression of a Communicable Disease, including but not limited to requiring Members of the University Community to observe all health and safety requirements communicated and implemented on campus.
b. Temporary closure of the University or any of its buildings, campuses, programs, activities, or services.
c. Isolation of an ill or symptomatic student or employee, or Quarantine of an exposed or potentially ill student or employee by Public Health or Public Health Officials.
6.1 Managing a Student with a Confirmed or Suspected Communicable Disease
a. Public Health will provide guidance and assistance to students suspected or confirmed to have a reportable Communicable Disease while maintaining confidentiality within the bounds of state and federal law.
b. University Health Services and/or Public Health may offer to examine, test, or consult with a student suspected of having a Communicable Disease and may determine appropriate medical care. Public Health and/or the Executive Director of University Health Services will work with Public Health Officials, as necessary, to acquire a list of possible persons at risk for that Communicable Disease.
c. A student who is known or suspected to have a Communicable Disease may be subject to certain limitations, which may include but are not limited to temporarily restricting the student from attending face-to-face classes, obtaining meals in dining facilities, participating in other in-person campus activities, or remaining in University housing.
d. Public Health will, in consultation with the Executive Director of University Health Services, other Healthcare Providers, or applicable Public Health Agencies, determine if a student should be excluded from campus, Isolated, Quarantined, or receive necessary medical interventions.
e. Public Health will to the extent possible, coordinate any services needed for a student who is Isolated or Quarantined on campus.
f. Public Health Officials and/or Public Health will guide when a student may be discharged from Isolation or Quarantine and returned to normal activity.
g. A student restricted from face-to-face classes or any other campus activity must be cleared for normal activity by Public Health.
6.2 Managing an Employee with a Communicable Disease
An employee may be excluded from campus activities, including reporting to the workplace, following Public Health Official guidelines. The employee may not return to campus or the workplace until cleared to return by Public Health. The employee may be granted leave in accordance with the University’s leave policies.
Revision History
November 04, 2020; September 24, 2021; August 03, 2022; August 14, 2023; March 12, 2024; November 19, 2024