Olin Health Center has teamed up with the Residence Halls Association to create awareness and eliminate the stigmas people might have about getting tested for AIDS.
Free and anonymous walk-in HIV testing is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, which is World AIDS Day, on the third floor of Olin Health Center in the health education department.
"It is important for students to take control of their own health and get tested and realize they have the power to do so," said Michele Urbin, student coordinator for World AIDS Day on MSU's campus.
She added the day also is to remember those who are living with or have died from AIDS.
About 250 red ribbons will be tied around trees on Farm Lane. Each ribbon represents 2,000 deaths from AIDS, Urbin said.
RHA also will be continuing the Spread the Word campaign, which was started last year by two former organization members to provide resources and information about AIDS.
"We are handing out 2,000 cards with an advertisement saying spreadthis.org, which directs people to our Web site," said Brendon Mika, RHA director of health and safety.
"The point of the Web site is that it has a lot of information about AIDS as well as resources that you can use to get help or assistance," Mika said.
Other events happening around campus today include an AIDS documentary shown by RHA called "A Closer Walk," will start at 7 p.m. at Wells Hall.
Each residence hall supplied 100 red ribbons so people can wear them as pins to show their support, Urbin said.
The Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, or MRULE, the Office for International Students and Scholars and the African Studies Center are hosting a World AIDS Day symposium.
Because the 15-24 age group is the most vulnerable to contract the disease, MRULE members believe the number of students on campus with HIV and AIDS has increased. The age group targets a large majority of MSU students, said Kennedy Ongaga, who is coordinating the event.
"We are trying to create awareness and, at the same time, bring people on board to be activists in spreading the information that is needed about the HIV/AIDS epidemic," he said.
