The Hastings College PHIVE-O (Peer HIV Education Organization) group will present a number of awareness events Nov. 30-Dec. 2, in honor of World AIDS Day. All events are free and open to the public. This is the 18th year the college has observed the day.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 1
Confidential HIV/AIDS testing registration will be in Hazelrigg Student Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 1. Those interested may register for free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing to take place on Thursday, Dec. 3 and Friday, Dec. 4 at Stone Health Center.

10 a.m. – Wednesday, Dec. 2
A special chapel service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2 at French Memorial Chapel. Minister, singer and songwriter, Rev. Scott Taylor will speak. Rev. Taylor is active in the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP).
 
Noon – Wednesday, Dec. 2
Hastings College graduate, Maggie Henton, of Hastings Family Planning will present, “STI’s and Testing in Nebraska,” at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Hazelrigg Student Union Room C. Free t-shirts and lunch will be provided.

7 p.m. – Wednesday, Dec. 2
A candle light vigil will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2 at French Memorial Chapel. There will be readings, music and an open mic. The traveling exhibit, “Lives are on the Line,” will be on display.

For “Lives are on the Line,” story cards featuring profiles of people affected by HIV and AIDS are hung from a clothesline for others to read and respond through giving and advocacy. The display is meant to raise awareness and ignite action to help those who are most vulnerable to the global AIDS pandemic.

World AIDS Day, which was founded in 1988, is Tuesday, Dec. 1. The day honors those who have died as a result of AIDS, and supports those who are living with the disease. People are encouraged to rededicate themselves to HIV/AIDS knowledge and prevention, and to work toward a world without AIDS.

Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s.