Personal Health and Safety

Tips for College Students

Brazosport College faculty and staff are interested in your academic well and personal well-being.

Student Insurance

The college does not provide nor recommend any specific insurance program for students. Students should determine whether to obtain health/accident insurance individually.

Immunizations

The following is to alert students to the need for immunization against certain diseases that are occurring more frequently in our state:

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, and antibiotics are not available to treat persons infected with this organism. Outbreaks of this illness result in hospitalizations and/or death among college-aged persons. Based on this information, it is strongly recommended that students in higher education institutions have two doses of the vaccine prior to opening classes. Most adults have had only one dose. Measles vaccine is most often given in combination with vaccines for mumps and rubella, which are also caused by viruses.

The illness caused by Tetanus results from poison produced by a bacteria which is very difficult to treat once it occurs, prevention of tetanus is the most appropriate choice. The vaccine is effective for about 10 years, and needs to be boosted at that interval. It is now common for older adults to develop tetanus in the United States as many adults do not receive the recommended 10-year boosters. The tetanus vaccine may be given in combination with the diphtheria vaccine.

Polio immunization is not routinely recommended for persons 18 years of age or older. However, if global travel is planned, a physician should be contacted for specific recommendations.

Bacterial Meningitis: Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely quickly. The bacteria that causes meningitis inflames membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and can also infect the blood. There is treatment, but survivors can develop severe health problems or disabilities. Symptoms include: high fever, rash or purple patches, light sensitivity, confusion/sleepiness, lethargy, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, nausea, and seizures. Diagnosis must be made by a medical provider and with early diagnosis and treatment greatly improving the likelihood of recovery. Antibiotic treatment, received early, may save lives. Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types, but take 7-10 days to become effective. For more information on bacterial meningitis, contact your health provider; your local or regional Texas Department of Health office; or http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html; or www.acha.org.  Effective October 1, 2013 Texas Education Code, § 51.9192, Subchapter Z, requires all new Brazosport College students under 22 years of age to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis.

• All first-time freshmen
• All new transfer students
• All returning BC students who have experienced a break in BC enrollment of at least one fall or spring term

Bacterial Meningitis Deadline

An meningitis vaccination record administered within the five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first semester enrolled or re-enrolled must be submitted to BC’s Registrar Office. Required Meningitis Vaccination Documentation is listed below.

At least one of the following must be faxed, mailed or submitted to the Registrar’s Office for verification:

1. Certification from a physician or clinic that the student has been vaccinated during the five-year period immediately preceding (and at least 10 days prior to) the first day of class.
2. An immunization record from a state or local health authority or an official record received from school officials (must be received at least 10 days prior to the first day of class).
3. A completed, signed and dated copy of BC’s Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form.
4. A student, parent, or guardian of a student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student, parent or guardian of a student submits to the institution:
   1. an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student;
   2. an affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.  A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services MUST be used for students attending a public university, health-related institution, or private or independent institution of higher education.  The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than the 90th day after the affidavit is notarized;

Note:  Students who fail to submit required meningitis vaccination documents will be restricted from registering for classes.

Smoking Policy

Brazosport College (BC) administrative regulation CGD-R (Local) prohibits the use of any tobacco product, electronic cigarette, or vapor device throughout all indoor areas and within a 15 foot perimeter around all facility entrances, exits and HVAC air intake vents under the control of BC and includes BC vehicles. Included in this ban are tobacco products of all types (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff and all other kinds and forms of tobacco prepared in such a manner to be suitable for spit tobacco use, smoking, or both).  This ban also includes herbal tobacco products and simulated tobacco products that imitate or mimic tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, vapor cigarettes, pipes or other types of inhalation devices.  See Smoking Administrative Regulation CGD-R (Local) on the Brazosport College website for additional information.