AIDS. It's not a word foreign to most college students. They see it on T.V. They read about it in the newspapers. And now, at the start of February, which is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, the University will be participating in a nationwide program to educate college students about the disease. "College-aged people are among the fastest growing group of people to be affected [by the virus]," Kurt Conklin of Penn's Student Health Service said. "[And] there may be students who are infected and have never been tested." In fact, AIDS is the sixth-leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. But many students continue to participate in activities which put them at high risk of contracting the virus, Conklin said. Planned programs over the course of the month include lunchtime talks with Rob Roy MacGregor, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania director of the AIDS Clinical Research Unit. MacGregor will discuss AIDS prevention efforts in the United States and on college campuses nationwide. Other programs, says Conklin, "will expose people to HIV-positive speakers." And University organizations such as Facilitating Learning About Sexual Health will hold various workshops on campus. Taught by trained University students, these workshops will cover subjects such as HIV/AIDS and safer sex. And, from February 9-11, FLASH will also sell CondomGrams on Locust Walk. Proceeds from the CondomGrams will be donated to AIDS work efforts. The "safer sex gift packs" which have been sold three years in a row contain four condoms and a chocolate kiss. They will be delivered free of charge on Valentine's Day. Coordinator of the program for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community Robert Schoenberg said HIV/AIDS Awareness month is necessary in order to teach students prevention. "I think it's extremely important," he said. "One can't do too much education and raising of awareness of HIV/AIDS. Since the University has a history of either a week or a month [devoted to AIDS awareness each year], it's good that it's happening again this year. "University age or college age students should be particularly attentive to how one can get AIDS, and they should behave accordingly." Schoenberg added. College freshman Neha Patel said she is glad these programs were available to the students. "It should be very educational for people who don't know about what's going on," Patel said. "It will inform people about any new development and research." Patel said these programs are also helpful to students who feel they know all about the HIV/AIDS virus. "There's always more to learn," she said.
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