Students at UT had mixed reactions in response UT's hosting of only one event to commemorate World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Month.           

The Lambda Student Union, along with organizations including UT Student Health Services, College Democrats, and Lambda Theta Alpha, held an event Friday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Pedestrian Walkway with tables and signs to spread AIDS Awareness.

There students could get information about AIDS and condoms, and this year was the first year that students could get HIV-tested for free.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Although these groups put together an event to spread AIDS awareness, many UT students are asking why there were not any other events held.

"UT should have done a lot more for this month," said freshman Nick Hawkins. "It is important for the university to spread awareness about AIDS because it can affect any student at the university."

Junior Jess Irwin said she was surprised the university hadn't done more. "I lost my best friend two years ago to AIDS," she said. "It is a horrific disease that affects so many."        

Other students, such as sophomore Andrew Morelock, said they were not surprised at the lack of other AIDS Awareness events.

"AIDS is somewhat of a stigmatizing issue that I am sure many people would like to completely forget about," he said. Morelock also said UT should take a more proactive role in the issue.          

Lambda Secretary John Witt said Lambda could only host one event for World AIDS Day because of the organization's budget.         

Other universities in Tennessee are participating in World AIDS events. This year at Middle State Tennessee University in Murfreesboro, an entire week was devoted to AIDS Awareness, where there were panel discussions, a benefit party, a candlelight vigil, and fundraisers. East Tennessee State University in Johnson City hosted a free HIV-testing day at the ETSU HIV/AIDS Center of Excellence Nov. 30.        

World AIDS Day originated in 1988 and has continued since then. Each year has a theme and this year's theme is "leadership", along with "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise."

An estimated 33.2 million people are now living with AIDS, according to UNAIDS.  For more information on Lambda Student Union, visit http://web.utk.edu/~lambda/ and for more information on World AIDS Day, visit http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/