For three freshmen, a service-learning project did not just end with a grade for class; it spurred the creation of an on-campus AIDS awareness organization.Freshmen Ellen Munsterman, Susan Harz and Ellie Neuhaus brought the AIDS Outreach Center on campus to coordinate free HIV testing last semester as part of a class project.

The event was more successful than they expected, said Munsterman, a nursing major, as they had to turn people away due to the lack of supplies.

The students formed AIDerS, a newly approved on-campus AIDS awareness organization, because they thought AIDS wasn’t addressed enough on campus, Munsterman said.

With AIDerS, Munsterman said, they want to correct the stigmas and stereotypes attached to the issue.

The students also hope to provide free HIV testing as an on-campus service, Munsterman said.

“A lot of people simply don’t get tested because they don’t know where to go,” she said.

Laura Crawley, assistant dean of campus life and health promotions, said HIV and AIDS do not only strike a certain type of population or sexual orientation.

“Everyone’s at risk,” she said. “Whether or not you think you can get it, you need to be aware of your risks and how you can minimize those risks.”

Harz and Neuhaus also said they hope students will feel more comfortable discussing HIV and AIDS.

Crawley said students are reluctant to talk about their sexual behaviors. She said it would be helpful to students to talk about the issue through a student-led organization.

Crawley emphasized that HIV and AIDS are health issues, not moral issues.

“Behavior is involved but let’s talk about safe behaviors,” she said, “not of good or bad people.”

Senior psychology major Kathleen Clemer said she supports the idea behind AIDerS. She said although HIV and AIDS are not a huge problem at TCU, it would be good to be reminded about the risks college students face.

“Students don’t think they know people with HIV,” Crawley said. “But most universities have at least some people that have it.”

So far, only Munsterman, Harz and Neuhaus are official members of the group, as it has only been approved for about a week, Munsterman said.

At least 30 people have expressed interest though, she said.

AIDerS will hold an open meeting within the next few weeks, Munsterman said.

Robin Williamson, the associate director of administration for residential services, is the faculty sponsor of AIDerS.

Williamson “co-taught” the students’ social work class with social work professor and Chairwoman Linda Moore, she said.

Munsterman said she hopes to organize a team from TCU to participate in the AIDS Walk in April, which is coordinated by the AIDS Outreach Center. She also hopes AIDerS will host movie showings, speakers and panels in the future.

For three freshmen, a service-learning project did not just end with a grade for class; it spurred the creation of an on-campus AIDS awareness organization.

Freshmen Ellen Munsterman, Susan Harz and Ellie Neuhaus brought the AIDS Outreach Center on campus to coordinate free HIV testing last semester as part of a class project.

The event was more successful than they expected, said Munsterman, a nursing major, as they had to turn people away due to the lack of supplies.

The students formed AIDerS, a newly approved on-campus AIDS awareness organization, because they thought AIDS wasn’t addressed enough on campus, Munsterman said.

With AIDerS, Munsterman said, they want to correct the stigmas and stereotypes attached to the issue.

The students also hope to provide free HIV testing as an on-campus service, Munsterman said.

“A lot of people simply don’t get tested because they don’t know where to go,” she said.

Laura Crawley, assistant dean of campus life and health promotions, said HIV and AIDS do not only strike a certain type of population or sexual orientation.

“Everyone’s at risk,” she said. “Whether or not you think you can get it, you need to be aware of your risks and how you can minimize those risks.”

Harz and Neuhaus also said they hope students will feel more comfortable discussing HIV and AIDS.

Crawley said students are reluctant to talk about their sexual behaviors. She said it would be helpful to students to talk about the issue through a student-led organization.

Crawley emphasized that HIV and AIDS are health issues, not moral issues.

“Behavior is involved but let’s talk about safe behaviors,” she said, “not of good or bad people.”

Senior psychology major Kathleen Clemer said she supports the idea behind AIDerS. She said although HIV and AIDS are not a huge problem at TCU, it would be good to be reminded about the risks college students face.

“Students don’t think they know people with HIV,” Crawley said. “But most universities have at least some people that have it.”

So far, only Munsterman, Harz and Neuhaus are official members of the group, as it has only been approved for about a week, Munsterman said.

At least 30 people have expressed interest though, she said.

AIDerS will hold an open meeting within the next few weeks, Munsterman said.

Robin Williamson, the associate director of administration for residential services, is the faculty sponsor of AIDerS.

Williamson “co-taught” the students’ social work class with social work professor and Chairwoman Linda Moore, she said.

Munsterman said she hopes to organize a team from TCU to participate in the AIDS Walk in April, which is coordinated by the AIDS Outreach Center. She also hopes AIDerS will host movie showings, speakers and panels in the future.