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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 2000)
Low AIDS testing blamed on ignorance BY JOSH FUNK Fifteen years ago, when AIDS was just becoming known, die commonly held mis conception was that it only affected a certain part of the population. Science and the growing number of dead and infected people from across the societal spectrum disproved that notion quickly. But that attitude still seems prevalent on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Among the booths at this year’s Big Red Welcome was one promoting a new free and anonymous HIV testing center on campus. Some students responded by throwing the flyers on the ground and stating “I don’t need that. I’m not gay." But nationally, women and teen-agers are the fastest growing HIV-positive groups, said Pat Tetreault, the University Health Center’s Sexuality Education Program Coordinator. “People don’t see this affecting their lives, so they ignore it,” Tetreault said. National and local advertising cam paigns have raised awareness of AIDS and the virus that causes it, but it seems like peo ple don’t know much beyond the acronyms, said Brian Franz, who manages the testing site. HIV testing is important for people who are doing things that put them at risle “All the people who think they are not at risk and are still out there having sex should get tested,” Franz said. About one out of every 300 people in Nebraska is HIV positive, Franz said. On UNL’s 22,000-student campus that would equate to about 70 people. Sex is one of the primary ways the dis ease is transmitted. Casual sex, sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unprepared sex are among the most danger ous activities. Intravenous drug use and sharing nee dles is another dangerous activity. The free-testing center, which operates on a grant from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, is located in Cornerstone Church, 640 N16^ St. Testing is available on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Franz, who completed his UNL bache- / lor’s degree in May, has been operating the center since June and said he has only tested about a dozen people. In addition to the testing, which is done orally, Franz also offers some counseling. Any questions he cannot answer, Franz refers to other sources. And Cornerstone offers pastoral counseling. But thus far, students seem to prefer ignorance, and they may not even realize how unknowing they are. “In general, most people don’t realize how much they don’t know until they go to something (program or presentation) more comprehensive," Tetreault said. That attitude extends beyond AIDS to other sexually transmitted infections, and it may be compounded by Nebraska’s relative ly low population. “I do think because we are a smaller pop ulation state and don’t have the same aware ness as cities, that affects us," Tetreault said. Student's apartment hit by car BUILDING from page 1 Inside, the Kongs’ felt the bed pop up as the car pushed the wall into their bedroom. The I^ongs, who moved into the building in August, quickly exited their apartment to inves tigate. Outside other neighbors were tending to the Deshpandes, who were both wearing seatbelts, Benes said. No major injuries were reported in the crash, though the Deshpandes were taken to BryanLGH Medical Center West for examination. Another neighbor, Devinder Sandhu, was turning left into the apartment complex at the same time Asha Deshpande was turning in and saw the accident -•V happen. Sandhu said that Asha Deshpande was dazed after the accident, but seemed all right. Sandhu said that he had gone with Murlidhar Deshpande to buy the car two months ago. Benes said the ground-level hole in the three-story building should not cause any structural problems because the building has a steel structure. The biggest concern was when heat and water could be restored because the car broke several pipes on impact. The building’s boiler-heated water pipes were just filled Sunday morning. Building managers planned to move the Kongs into a vacant apartment within the same building Sunday until repairs could be made. Damage estimates were unavailable Sunday. The University Park Apartments provide housing for married university students. Currently, many of the residents are international students, Sandhu said. Get a FREE 8 oz. Biolage Detangling Solution with any Color or Perm Service When you come in by October 6, 2000. SPECIALS ON: Biolage • Nexxus • Paul Mitchell Rusk • Vital Nutrients /Halrcuts\ |l $5.25 to V |\$^75^ 474-4244W Calf for an appointment. Students, under direct supervision of licensed Instructors, perform all services. _ 5 Blocks South ofUNL Campus i $1.69 on most dry clean garments NO LIMIT with coupon _ expJ0/15/00_ [ ” 994 Laundred Shirts V._ $1.99 ' Dry Clean City 56th & Hwy. 2 (behind Kmart) - Three Cheers for the DN HIP HIP HOORAY Let the University of Nebraska be your passport to the future. Fall 2000 Study Abroad Extravaganza T uesday, September 26 11 ;00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. North Entrance to NE Union Under the Arcade Work Study Travel Information Sessions at Union Square (ne: the computer lab) ■ Scholarships and Financial Aid 12:00-12:45 p.m., ■ Wbrk Abroad and Internships 1.00-1:30 p.m. International Affairs r 420 University Terrace Phone:472-5358 http://www.iaffairs.unl.edu .