Sub-Board I, Inc. (SBI) hosted the annual Sexual Health Fair in the Student Union this past Wednesday. Free condoms, food, games, HIV testing and valuable information about sexual health were offered to students.
According to Jane Fischer, director of SBI Health Education, the fair gave students an opportunity to learn about the services available on campus through the SBI Health Education office.
"We want to increase our presence on campus," Fischer said. "The fair helps students to know about the resources that are available to them on campus."
Services offered through their office include rapid HIV testing, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing, emergency contraception and informational workshops about sexual health issues.
The fair conveyed information through games, including STI Jeopardy to test students' knowledge about the subject.
According to Fischer, events like the Sexual Health Fair are important for college students because a lot of young adults, especially freshmen, may not have the proper information they need to make informed decisions and practice safe sex upon entering college.
"Sexual health is not something that's usually talked about in a frank manner when you're growing up," Fischer said.
Andrew Xiao, a sophomore aerospace engineering major, thought the fair was helpful in educating students about the consequences of their actions.
"It's great that (they) hold these health fairs. People need to know what they're getting themselves into," Xiao said.
According to Fischer, correct information about sexual health is important for everyone, whether they are sexually active or abstinent. She explained that even though students don't have problems at the present moment, the fair shows them where they can go in the future should a situation arise.
Fischer encourages students to be comfortable with talking about sex-related issues, such as correct condom and birth control use.
"You wouldn't be embarrassed to walk into a pharmacy and ask how to take an antihistamine," she said.
Andrew Zapfel, a freshman international studies major, found the event informative.
"It's useful. There are a lot of facts that need to be brought up," Zapfel said. "It's like learning what you already know, but bringing it to light again."
Planned Parenthood was present at the fair with their mobile outreach RV parked in Jarvis B Lot. The mobile outreach RV is set up like a clinic with two patient rooms for paperwork and blood tests, and an exam room. The RV provides everything from birth control information to breast exams and testicular cancer screening.
"We do everything a regular Planned Parenthood clinic would do," said Angel Swan, a clinic specialist for Planned Parenthood.
Swan explained that the mobile outreach project collaborates with a number of organizations. The project then brings the services to people without transportation in places such as rehab centers and detention homes.
The mobile outreach project currently visits locations in Erie and Niagara County. According to Swan, they hope to expand to Cattaraugus County, as well.
Representatives from the Student Wellness Center were also at the fair, informing students about the role of alcohol in making sex-related decisions. Alcohol can lead students to make decisions that they would not make when sober. Being intoxicated can also cause condoms to be used incorrectly, decreasing their effectiveness.
The fair also aimed to make students aware of the danger of sexual assault and provide information about risk prevention. Fischer added that it is important for students to communicate openly with their partners.
"We want to help everybody to make good decisions," she said.
Students like Patrizia Barbieri, a senior finance major, found the fair to be useful even though they already knew a lot of the information.
"The information here is interesting. You usually learn this stuff at a younger age, but it's good to reinforce it," she said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
