"Protect yourself, or infect yourself"

???The Student Union was alive with loud music and interactive sex education games at the annual Protect Yourself event sponsored by Sub Board, Inc. (SBI). Volunteers hosted games and offered educational information in a classic style.

???The entertainment borrowed from many old school game shows including 'higher or lower' from The Price is Right, except the game had a sexual spin, in which students would read statistics and facts about STIs and guess if the statistical numbers of each category was higher or lower.

???Hannah Baker, a senior anthropology major, ran the game and after each student finished guessing, she went over the answers and explained each correct answer, educating the players on STI information.

???The $100,000 Pyramid, a game show in which two people participate, one giving clues and definitions of a word and the other guessing the word was also given a sexual twist. Each question related to sexual health issues ranging from STI statistics to myths of how the diseases can and cannot be transmitted.

???"We use abstract terms and vocabulary so the students can get a better understanding of the bigger issue," said Jake White, a senior psychology and social work major who was in charge of running the $100,000 Pyramid game. "We would like students to understand the many ways an STI is referred to and connect basic terms to a bigger issue and become more aware."

???Taking statistics and bringing them down to a more readable and understandable level is a major part of the games, according to White. Many statistics are hard to interpret and people tend not to look into them. These games provide the information in an entertaining and interactive way, which is a better method of learning than reading off a slideshow in a lecture hall.

???"The games are educational, full of facts, statistics and prevention techniques," said Patrick McShane, a senior health and human services major. "They are an engaging way to think about the reality of HIV and how it's preventable; the games present a better way to understand the epidemic."

???If students completed enough games, they could fill out a raffle ticket and enter to win "dinner and a movie" themed gift baskets, packed with gift certificates for Wegmans and local restaurants, as well as popcorn and DVDs.

???Each volunteer wore a red ribbon, matching the bright red theme of the event, in order to draw students to check out the games. A DJ station was also set up to peek interests by playing music videos.

???"Music videos are a relevant way to deliver a message," McShane said. "In our generation we are so use to seeing stuff on iPods and televisions, I figured creating our own music video would catch some eyes."

???Among the games and DJ station was a table filled with sex toys, set up by SBI to demonstrate ways to eroticize safe sex.

???"People are going to have sex," McShane said. "Since HIV is sexually transmited, we use the toys to demonstrate how to make safe sex more fun."

???Free rapid HIV testing was also available to students at the event, run by the New York State Health Department. The services provided by the Health Department include using a finger stick test, in which a sample of blood is extracted from a finger and analyzed with results available within minutes. They also offer counseling services, where risk is determined by analyzing sexual history and drug use, as well as the outcome of the finger stick test.

???STI testing by appointment is available throughout the semester in Michael Hall on South Campus. Students can also seek sexual health and education services and counseling in the SBI office located in Hayes Annex C on South Campus.

???"The goal is for everyone to know their status," McShane said. "If everyone takes responsibility for their own health they can prevent future epidemics. Students should recognize that prevention is their own responsibility, we are trying to make them more aware of that."

???According to White, the current generation is at the highest risk of STIs and HIV.

???"Our age group has most of the new cases each year. We are at a very high risk and at our age, sex is a very popular thing to do," White said. "We need to stay protected and recognize the risks."