Spreading awareness and encouraging safe sex practices was the message of the day at SF State's celebration of World AIDS Day, an event coordinated by the Student Health Center and the AIDS Coordinating Committee.

Five workshops were held back to back, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Student Health Center to teach students about sexually transmitted diseases, protection and prevention against HIV. San Francisco State has held an event like the one given today every year since World AIDS Day became an official day in 1988. According to the Student Health Center's website, 40.3 million people worldwide are affected by HIV/AIDS and 2.3 million of those people are under the age of 15. This means 38 million people that are affected are adults.

Along with the workshops, the day's activities included the hanging of the AIDS quilt, which had the names of people affected in the SF State community sewn onto it, in the Cesar Chavez Student Center.
Throughout the campus, signs listing the workshop schedules were posted and students and faculty wearing red AIDS pins were seen. According to health educator, Ingrid Ochoa, today's activities were meant to honor the people affected by HIV and AIDS, as well as to get students more comfortable talking about the risks that come with sex.

Ochoa said World AIDS Day events are normally held in the Student Center, but since it was being occupied for another event, she thought it would be a good idea to hold it in the health center instead.

"It's amazing how many students don't know about our Student Health Center," Ochoa said. "Today is a good day for people to realize we're here and to learn about safer ways to enjoy sex."

Ochoa, who has been a counselor in the Student Health Center since January, presented the last workshop of the day entitled, "An Update on Safer Sex Practices." At the hour and 15 minute-event, she introduced students to different types of condoms, lubrication and other latex and silicone forms of sexual protection.

"Sex is fun," Ochoa said to a looking group of 19 students. "But many people don't know the proper way to use protection. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but instead teach you about these tools and hope you utilize them in your everyday life."

Ochoa also coordinates P.E.A.C.H, or Peer Educators Advocating Campus Health, a program that trains students about positive health in order for them to teach their peers about it through class presentations and workshops. P.E.A.C.H. held one of these workshops earlier in the day, which focused on good health habits.

Katherine Chan, 19, attended a couple of today's workshops not only to get extra credit for a class, but to learn more about sexually transmitted diseases. "I thought all the subjects were really interesting and really grabbed your attention without completely freaking you out," she said. "I didn't know half of the things that were taught and I think it's cool that I can talk to my friends and boyfriend about this stuff now."

Others like student Loretta Johnson think World AIDS Day is important and said she came out because she wanted to support SF State events. "I think it's really sad that so many people are affected by this terrible virus," the 21-year old said. "I want to become more aware and protect myself, as well as spread the word and protect my loved ones from HIV and other STDs."

Along with the AIDS quilt, the annual "Commitment Tree" will be hung up by Jack Adams Hall. The tree is a big poster where students have the opportunity to add paper leaves to represent their commitment to protecting themselves against HIV and other STDs. The tree will be up until the end of the week.