The spread of HIV and AIDS in the United States and around the world is usually far from the most pressing issue for University undergraduates. But this week, in conjunction with World AIDS Day, the University community has the opportunity to participate in AIDS awareness activities.
The Student Global AIDS Campaign (SGAC), Princeton AIDS Initiative and a handful of other campus organizations have organized a series of activities for today concerning the worldwide AIDS epidemic.
"We're hoping that our activities this week will start generating momentum for the AIDS awareness movement here," Ariel Wagner '05, co-president of SGAC, said.
Greg Berhman '98, author of "The Invisible People: How the U.S. Has Slept Through the Global AIDS Pandemic," began the week with a lecture Monday about the United States' role in the spread of HIV and AIDS.
"To Live Is Better than to Die," a documentary about a Chinese village in which 60 percent of the population was infected with HIV in the early 1990s, will be shown today in McCosh 10 at 7:30 p.m.
A candlelight vigil, cosponsored by the Religious Life Council, will then be held at the University Chapel at 10 p.m.
The capstone of the week is Thursday's AIDS benefit concert, "Hardest Hit: AIDS Narratives from the Field," in the Chancellor Green cafe. The event will feature the Tigertones, Vivacity, Roaring 20, a slam poet and several speakers.
Proceeds of the concert will go to Partners in Health, an organization that provides health care for the poor.
SGAC is also holding a raffle to benefit Partners in Health, SGAC treasurer Karen Jeng '08 said. Tickets can be bought at the Frist Campus Center ticket office.
"We'll be announcing the winners at the concert, so people get to find out if they've won and enjoy the performances if they go," Jeng added.
Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health, will end the week with a lecture titled "Global Equity and the Future of Global Health."
"Princeton isn't necessarily the most activist campus," Wagner said. "So we're focusing more on spreading awareness than on activism."
But, she added, "Princeton is definitely not a complacent campus."
A number of campus organizations have focused on domestic problems of the AIDS crisis, including the Princeton Justice Project's lobbying for a state needle exchange program. Domestic AIDS "is becoming the forgotten issue in the AIDS crisis," said Erin Blake '06, who was the leader of the needle exchange project.
"Regardless of how controversial the issue of needle exchange is, it's really important in preventing more domestic infections," she added.
World AIDS Day was established in 1988 by an international coalition of health officials who considered global collaboration necessary to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Each year, World AIDS Day has a theme related to a specific facet of the epidemic. This year's theme is "Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS" and focuses on spreading awareness regarding transmission as a result of childbirth, rape and unprotected sex.
Read More
Joseph ’25 next Young Alumni Trustee in 21 percent turnout election
Vitus LarrieuGil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
Gil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
‘A brilliant young contemporary writer and a beautiful human being’: Remembering Lauren Blackburn ’26
Victoria Davies and Caitlyn TabladaBlackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
Blackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.