San Francisco State University, Established 1899, 1600 Holloway Ave. SF, CA 94132

SFSU Public Affairs Press Release

Published by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center.

#054--November 23, 1999; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Kroll
phone: 415/338-1665
e-mail: pubcom@sfsu.edu

World AIDS Day 1999: SFSU seeks to promote awareness and foster hope

SAN FRANCISCO, November 23, 1999---San Francisco State University will observe World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 2 (the day after the official observance), with a series of on-campus events, including a reading of names of those who have died of AIDS, free HIV testing, a panel discussion by HIV-positive individuals, and a campus march. San Francisco State is honoring World AIDS on the second of December because the day of the official observance is student advising day.

Continuing a tradition that began last year, students at San Francisco State University will augment the traditional red ribbon (signifying the fight against AIDS) with blue flags of hope, which will be placed in the main lawn of the University's campus early in the morning to honor those who are living with HIV in the Bay Area. In addition, placards documenting AIDS and HIV-related statistics will be set along the major walk-ways through the lawn.

In the march that ends the University's observance of World AIDS day, participants will carry blue glow-sticks, echoing the message of hope and support for people living with HIV that began with the morning flag installation.

Events include:

  • A reading of names of those who have died from AIDS. The names to be read come from the AIDS Quilt and submissions from members of the SFSU community. The reading will take place at the south plaza of the Chavez Student Center 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • Free anonymous, oral HIV antibody testing will be provided by the Student Health Center at the south plaza of the Student Center 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • The Commitment Tree will provide individuals with the opportunity to publicly show their commitment to protecting themselves from acquiring HIV by signing forms that will be hung on a tree constructed with the help of the Theater Arts Department. The Commitment Tree will be available at the south plaza of the Student Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • An event will be held in McKenna Theater in the Creative Arts building from 12:30 to 2 p.m. that will feature music and dance performances and a panel of people, including students, talking about living with HIV. Albert Angelo from the Student Health Center will be on hand to provide facts and advice on HIV/AIDS.

  • The day will end at 5 p.m. with a campus march, beginning at the south plaza of the Student Center.

    The next evening, Friday, December 3, the Queer Alliance will present a drag extravaganza, "Deck the Halls with Feather Boas: Don We Now Our Gay Apparel," featuring famous San Francisco drag impresarios, including members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The event, which runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Jack Adams Hall, benefits the Cindy Kolb AIDS Fund. The fund provides grants for SFSU students, faculty, or staff with HIV. The grants can be used for any purpose, including helping with school or medical expenses. Cindy Kolb, director of Disabled Student Services at San Francisco State from 1981 until her death in 1989, spent her professional life as a tireless advocate for the rights of students with disabilities and was an early proponent of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

    San Francisco State University is a highly diverse community of 27,000 students and 3,500 faculty and staff. It is one of the largest campuses in the nationally recognized 23-campus California State University system. Founded in 1899, SFSU is celebrating its 100th year of service to San Francisco, the Bay Area, California and beyond.

    ###


    SFSU Home   Search   Comments and Questions

    SFSU, 1600 April 24, 2007, by Office of Public Affairs