/Institutions/The-University-of-Texas-Permian-Basin/json/2023-2024/Graduate-Studies-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/The-University-of-Texas-Permian-Basin/json/2023-2024/Graduate-Studies-Catalog.json

Health And Wellness

AIDS, HIV, and Hepatitis B Infection

UT Permian Basin recognizes its responsibility to protect the rights and privileges of students, employees, patients, and the general public against the contact with the spread of infectious diseases. In recognition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B (HBV) as serious health threats, UT Permian Basin has adopted a policy and procedural steps to protect both the rights and well‑being of those students who may be infected with HIV or HBV as well as to prevent the spread of infection. No individual with HIV or HBV infection will be discriminated against in employment, admission to academic programs, health benefits, or access to facilities. Students with HIV or HBV infection may attend all classes without restriction, as long as they are physically and mentally able to participate and perform assigned work and pose no health risks to others. All information regarding the medical status of UT Permian Basin faculty, staff, and students is confidential.

A complete copy of the "AIDS, HIV and Hepatitis B Infection" policy can be found in the institutional Handbook of Operating Procedures available at: http://www.utpb.edu. This policy is applicable to all students of UT Permian Basin as they pursue their academic (and clinical) endeavors. Brochures with information about AIDS/HIV will be made available to all students on request to the UT Permian Basin Student Life Office.

Bacterial Meningitis Information

Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly, disease that can progress extremely fast, so utmost caution is required. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among colleges students every year. Bacterial Meningitis is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions. Symptoms include high fever, rash or purple patches on the skin, light sensitivity, confusion and sleepiness, lethargy, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, nausea, and seizures. The more symptoms present, the higher the risk. When these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention. There is treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery. For more information, contact your own health care provider or local Texas Department of Health. Information websites: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo and www.acha.org.

Immunizations

Institutions of higher education may require persons applying for admission to be immunized against diphtheria, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. The Texas Board of Health may require immunizations against these and additional diseases for registrants at any institution of higher education who are pursuing a course of study in any of the human or animal health professions, and the board may require such immunizations for any registrants in times of an emergency or epidemic in a county where such an emergency or epidemic has been declared by the Commissioner of Health. A vaccination for Hepatitis B applies only to students enrolled in a course of study that involves potential exposure to human or animal blood or bodily fluids. (Texas Education Code 51.933)

Effective January 1, 2012, Texas Senate Bill 1107 requires that every new student (under age 22) entering a public or private institution of education must provide evidence that the student has received the vaccination or booster for bacterial meningitis during the preceding 5 years and at least 10 days prior to the start of classes. Students enrolled in on-line classes only are exempt from this requirement. An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including religious belief may be presented using a conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used. The form may be found at https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affodavit.shtm. Students claiming conscientious exemption should allow 30 days to receive the form from the State.

Medical Services and Student Health Insurance

Students taking face-to-face classes pay a medical services fee which provides for discounted visits and services at designated medical clinics. Students needing health insurance may obtain information from the Office of the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Services located in Mesa Building 4274. Information about both programs can be found at: http://www.utpb.edu/campus-life/studentlife/medical-services.

All international students on a non-immigrant visa status attending UT Permian Basin are required by the UT System Board of Regents to have continuous medical insurance policy compliant with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Enrollment in UT SHIP is automatic each semester and the insurance premium is automatically charged to the student's tuition and fee account when you register for classes. No action is required to be enrolled in UT SHIP except to ensure that your contact email and mailing address are always current in MyUTPB.

The UT System has established criteria by which an international student can request a waiver to the student health insurance plan by providing alternate health insurance coverage. In order to be approved for a waiver, the student's alternate health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements as set in the System regulation and be PPACA compliant.

Counseling Center 

The Counseling Center offers individual, couple and/or group counseling to UT Permian Basin members. There is no charge for students, faculty, staff, and immediate family.

• Individual: Discuss self, relationships, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that may be of concern. All communication with a counselor is confidential. (Except as required by Texas law, i.e. extreme situations where there is danger of death, abuse of a minor or elder, or judicial court order.)
• Groups: Students with common concerns may meet with a counselor in a safe place to discuss significant personal issues such as sexual abuse, integrating school and family and work, depression, anxiety, sexuality, eating disorders, anger management, self-esteem/identity, etc.

Couples and Family

Improve interactions with significant others, spouses, and other relationship and communication issues.

Student Right to Know

In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (the Act) 20 U.S.C. Sections 1092 (a), (e) and (f), as amended, UT Permian Basin collects specified information on campus crime statistics, campus security policies, and institutional completion or graduation rates.

Pursuant to the federal law, alleged victims of violent crime are entitled to know the results of campus disciplinary proceedings concerning alleged perpetrators.

UT Permian Basin reports to the campus community on crimes considered to be a threat to students and employees and reported to campus police or local police agencies.

UT Permian Basin publishes and distributes an annual report of campus security policies and crime statistics to all current students and employees; provides copies of the report to applicants for enrollment or employment upon request; and submits a copy of the report to the Secretary of Education upon request. The annual campus crime statistics report references crimes which occur on property owned or controlled by the University and may be supplemented by listing crimes which occur off the campus in buildings or on property owned or controlled by student organizations that are registered by the institution when such statistics are available from local police departments.

The UT Permian Basin annually calculates and discloses institutional completion or graduation rates for undergraduate students to all prospective and current students. (The federal requirement for calculation of a completion of graduation rate applies only to institutions of higher education that admit undergraduate students who are enrolling for the first time at an institution of higher education and have not enrolled previously at any other institution of higher education.)

The UT Permian Basin publishes in the annual security report, its policy regarding sex-related offenses, including sexual assault prevention programs, education programs to promote awareness of sex offenses, administrative disciplinary procedures and sanctions for offenders, and counseling and student services for victims.

Missing Student Notification Policy

If a member of the University community has reason to believe that a student who resides in on-campus housing is missing, they should immediately notify the UT Permian Basin Police Department at (432) 552-2786.

Students residing in on-campus housing have the option to identify confidentially an individual to be contacted by UT Permian Basin in the event the student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. Contact information will be accessible only to authorized campus officials and law enforcement and will not be disclosed outside of a missing person investigation. To designate a confidential contact, contact Student Housing at (432) 552-2734.

UT Permian Basin Parent & Affiliates E-Mail Status Reports – UTPB-STATUS

What Is UTPB-STATUS?

UTPB-STATUS is a campus-based emergency e-mail notification system that gives the University the ability to communicate emergency health, safety and status information quickly to parents and affiliates. Subscribe to UTPB-STATUS today so you can quick receive safety-related information about university operations.

What Type Of Information Will Be Sent Using UTPB-STATUS?

The UTPB-STATUS system will be used to send health, safety and situation updates related to abnormal situations at the University. This system is intended to provide a communications channel for status updates and situation briefings related to emergency or other abnormal situations on campus. The UTPB-STATUS system will NOT be used for routine communications about university events or any form of advertising.

Mass Notification System

Along the exterior of the building is a siren system that when activated will emit an alternating wail sound. If someone is outside and hears this siren, they need to move indoors and seek information via radio, TV, or the UT Permian Basin website. Testing of this system is done on the first Wednesday of the month at noon unless poor weather is or will occur very soon and the test typically lasts for less than a minute. Inside all academic buildings of the campus, there is a mass notification system that is linked with the fire alarm speakers. When the alarm goes off a verbal message will give you instructions on what to do for the trouble at hand. You could be asked to evacuate the building, move to a safe location inside the building or to lock down the room that you occupy.

Fire Safety Policies and Procedures

The Environmental Health & Safety at UT Permian Basin is responsible for overseeing the University fire-safety program. UT Permian Basin fire safety policies and procedures can be found at the Environmental Health & Safety webpage. Any questions regarding fire safety policies, the UT Permian Basin Annual Fire Safety Report or UT Permian Basin Fire Logs should be directed to the Environmental Health & Safety at 432-552-2778 or at http://ba.utpb.edu/environmental-health-safety/fire-reporting/.

Criminal Background Checks

Certain programs require students to submit to and satisfactorily complete a criminal background check review as a condition of admission and/or participation in education experiences. Students who refuse to submit to a background check or who do not pass the background check may be dismissed from the program. The student is responsible for the costs of the criminal background check.