ORVALLIS - A weeklong series of free public events and activities designed to increase AIDS awareness in the community will start on Monday, Nov. 26, at Oregon State University.

The "Did You Know" campaign is focused on getting out the facts about the AIDS virus, said Rachel Becker, an OSU freshman in environmental science and communications, who planned the activities and is coordinating the events.

Becker said she first become interested in AIDS prevention when one of her elementary school teachers died after acquiring the AIDS virus.

Headquarters for the campus campaign will be an information booth in the campus Memorial Union Quad, which will be stocked with pamphlets and a variety of resources and information about the virus, Becker said. The booth will be open and staffed with student volunteers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 30.

Two speakers will share their experiences in AIDS education and outreach at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the OSU Women's Center. Margo Denison, director of the Corvallis-based Valley AIDS Information Network, will talk about her experiences in dealing with a child infected with the AIDS virus, while Bob Skinner will talk about life after being diagnosed with HIV.

On Friday, Nov. 30, OSU students are invited to the campus' Dixon Recreation Center from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for a variety of activities designed to teach safe sex techniques and ease communications about sexually transmitted disease, Becker said.

OSU's Residence Hall Association and Student Health Services are providing funding for the event.

 

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Source: 

OSU Residence Hall Association, 541-737-3394

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