The New York State Department of Health has been offering anonymous HIV testing since 1997 because there was no HIV testing offered at BSC. The program was established to raise awareness of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and offer students anonymous testing. BSC became a safe environment where transportation was not an issue and testing is done on campus for free.

60- 80 students are tested each year . The test has been done orally until this semester, said officials at Weigel Health Center.

• oral testing- no needle and result takes two weeks
• blood testing- same day results

The testing is done twice a year depending if there are counselors available to oversee the program. Due to an overwhelming demand, testing was done three times in 1997 through 1998. The testing is open to students, faculty, staff and members of the community. No employees of the health center are allowed to administer the test.

The health center informs people by:

• BSC- TV
• distributing fliers
• an article in the Record
• have students hand out cards
• have people go to classrooms and write on the board

To quote Latoya Pryce, “I highly recommend sexually active individuals to get tested, if not for themselves then for their partner.”

Jarrett Johnson, “I think it's a good idea for Weigel Health Center to offer students free HIV testing because it's better to know if you have HIV now then later.”

“If you have any doubts, you should get tested because I believe you are better safe than sorry, ” said Michael Taylor.

If you have any questions on HIV/AIDS, or would like more information about HIV testing sites, please go to the site listed below:

www.hivtest.org

For reports on HIV/AIDS visit:

www.cdcnpin.org

www.childinfo.org

For information contact the Weigel Health Center at 716-878-6711

Contact kapja12@yahoo.com with any comments.