2008 Woodie Awards
Spreading AIDS awareness
Candlelight vigil, display gets message of caution to students
Kathleen Dame
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: News
University of Maine's Peer Education and Wilde Stein groups recognized AIDS Awareness Day on Friday, Nov. 30. Three panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt were on display, on loan from the NAMES Project Foundation through an Eastern Maine AIDS Network (EMAN) grant.
A candlelight vigil was held on the university mall at 5 p.m., complete with guest speakers and a moment of silence. Dean of Students Robert Dana, as well as a representative from EMAN spoke.
In the Union, students could visit a display in the Spirit Room, which featured facts and statistics about the AIDS virus, as well as information on testing and prevention.
Counseling Center & Peer Education Program graduate assistant, Nicole Rozanski, explained that the events served to promote the "Know Your Status" campaign, which GLBT and Peer Education services combine to coordinate.
The groups chose Friday to hold their events, instead of Saturday, Dec. 1, the office AIDS awareness day, because "we wanted as many students as possible to be able to attend," Ronzanski said. "If we had done it on Saturday, not as many students would be able to see the panels."
The panels, displayed in the atrium of the Union, hung from railings above the University Bookstore. Below, Wilde Stein and Peer Education representatives managed a table with information about the project.
Rozanski said the panel display was a success. "We've gotten a lot of confirmation from students," she said.
"I think people are aware of the activities happening," Sierran Lucey, GLBT services coordinator, said. "We hold these events so all students are aware that HIV affects everyone, and that it does happen on our campus."
Sophomore Emily Chavis, a public relations officer for Wilde Stein said, "We're hoping we can prevent it [AIDS]. You should always be aware of your status."
Chavis, who helped supervise the Wilde Stein and Peer Education table, said, "I've given out a lot of free condoms," Many students asked about what free AIDS testing are being offered.
Lucey said people were curious about testing. "I have had many students ask where to go to get tested since the event, including directly following the event," she said.
Lucey said "Many who came chose to speak when the floor was opened up. These people shared personal stories and voiced concerns about HIV/AIDS."
The groups will be holding a "Know Your Status" dinner in mid-April.
"Hopefully, by doing little things," Rozanski said, "we can show people that this happens all year long. We want students to consider and get tested for AIDS."
A candlelight vigil was held on the university mall at 5 p.m., complete with guest speakers and a moment of silence. Dean of Students Robert Dana, as well as a representative from EMAN spoke.
In the Union, students could visit a display in the Spirit Room, which featured facts and statistics about the AIDS virus, as well as information on testing and prevention.
Counseling Center & Peer Education Program graduate assistant, Nicole Rozanski, explained that the events served to promote the "Know Your Status" campaign, which GLBT and Peer Education services combine to coordinate.
The groups chose Friday to hold their events, instead of Saturday, Dec. 1, the office AIDS awareness day, because "we wanted as many students as possible to be able to attend," Ronzanski said. "If we had done it on Saturday, not as many students would be able to see the panels."
The panels, displayed in the atrium of the Union, hung from railings above the University Bookstore. Below, Wilde Stein and Peer Education representatives managed a table with information about the project.
Rozanski said the panel display was a success. "We've gotten a lot of confirmation from students," she said.
"I think people are aware of the activities happening," Sierran Lucey, GLBT services coordinator, said. "We hold these events so all students are aware that HIV affects everyone, and that it does happen on our campus."
Sophomore Emily Chavis, a public relations officer for Wilde Stein said, "We're hoping we can prevent it [AIDS]. You should always be aware of your status."
Chavis, who helped supervise the Wilde Stein and Peer Education table, said, "I've given out a lot of free condoms," Many students asked about what free AIDS testing are being offered.
Lucey said people were curious about testing. "I have had many students ask where to go to get tested since the event, including directly following the event," she said.
Lucey said "Many who came chose to speak when the floor was opened up. These people shared personal stories and voiced concerns about HIV/AIDS."
The groups will be holding a "Know Your Status" dinner in mid-April.
"Hopefully, by doing little things," Rozanski said, "we can show people that this happens all year long. We want students to consider and get tested for AIDS."
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