Awareness more common than practice

 
Students and faculty on Southern University believe AIDS Awareness is high yet students still participate in risky behavior. Faculty, students, and administrative figures around the campus discussed differing opinions of the lack of information on AIDS as well as the steady risky behavior that still occurs even with proper knowledge.
Faculty like Leah S. Cullins Assistant Professor in the Nursing department spoke on the lack of effort in making people in general aware of the true effects of AIDS.
“There is not enough being done to make it aware in the community,” said Cullins. She later spoke on how people know that AIDS is out there, but don’t think it applies to them.
Angeline Hudson, Baton Rouge senior English major, agrees with Cullins on how people do not have enough knowledge about AIDS.
“I do not believe people know about AIDS, and they are mostly miss informed about its origins as well as how this epidemic effects society,” said Hudson.
While Cullins doesn’t think enough is being done, Shirely Wade director of student health center thinks student have learned, but haven’t changed their behavior.
“College students are very knowledgeable on HIV, but doesn’t affect behavior,” said Wade. She also stated how Southern University participated with four other HBCUs in a research project on student knowledge that proved students were not ignorant on AIDS.
Wade also spoke on the campus efforts to make students aware of the threat of AIDS.
“They have a lot of different departments with different iniatives on AIDS awareness,” said Wade.
Cullins believes the campus has shown growth in holding more events for students to gain ​information even though the black community as a whole is still lacking information.
“I think that as of last semester Darnel Pledger has put on two HIV activities,” said cullins. She also spoke on her appointment to Louisiana’s commission on HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis.
Students like Jessica Jackson, Baton Rouge junior business management major, agreed with Wade on Southern’s effort with AIDS awareness.
“With the AIDS Awareness week they provide good information,” said Jackson. She continued on by saying people know much more information about AIDS than in the past.​
Even though a large of information has been provided students, Jackson and Hudson believe students still make bad decisions.
“They are willing to take the risk, and don’t care about the consequences,” said Jackson.
“I believe graphic images along with knowledge will assist students in practicing safe sex,” said Hudson. She later mentioned how she believes that most people are visual learners and that images will have a greater affect than facts alone.
Cullins also agreed with Jackson and Hudson’s sentiments on students not taken the serious consequences of risky behavior serious.
“They feel like it can’t happen to them,” said Cullins. She also said how students attempt to judge who has the disease by physical looks, but that is solid choice.
For more information on AIDS students can contact the Student Health Center at 225-771-4770. The nursing department is currently administering free HIV/AIDS exams, and it only takes twenty minutes.​