2008 Woodie Awards
Staying aware
Campus groups keep students informed about AIDS
Meagan Birely
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
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The AIDS virus is still a serious issue in this country and the University Program Council and Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance sponsored an AIDS awareness day Thursday at the University Center.
"We wanted to shed visibility on the issue," said Jordan Callier, a graduate assistant to the GLBT resource center. "We don't hear about it a lot and still there are new cases every year."
A display was set up on the main floor with a wall to share words, thoughts and feelings.
Information was handed out as well as statistics about HIV and the AIDS virus.
"Everybody needs to remember that the AIDS epidemic is still going," Matthew Parker, from the GLBT resource office said.
New this year and a big part of the day was a free testing center located upstairs in the UC in the student activities office.
About 25 percent of Americans with AIDS are undiagnosed.
"The testing takes 20 minutes," Parker said. "In the waiting room we have a movie playing and cookies and cider to give people something to do while they are waiting."
GLBT and UPC wanted to make the testing center a warm, welcoming environment that is not a scary place for students to be.
"This was a really good idea. They make it comfortable so you don't feel like you have to hide," Kelsey Jensen, a freshman IDLA major, said.
Testing was done by the Northern Colorado AIDS project for free.
"I think this a great idea because AIDS testing is expensive and not easily accessible for students," Gilly Warren, a freshman biology major, said.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is mostly transmitted through sex, sharing needles and women can pass it on to their children before birth. Approximately one million people in the United States are HIV positive.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS, is the final stage of HIV.
"We are here to inform and to be a place where people can share their thoughts and feelings on the subject," Tami Peth, a junior elementary education major, said.
To wrap up AIDS awareness there will be a red and white dance Saturday at the recreation center. A donation of $1 will be taken for admittance. Proceeds will go to the Northern Colorado AIDS project.
"There is a stigma, like people don't think about it or want to think about it, but now they are," Callier said.
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