ASLC funds AIDS testing at Laney

Free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing, and the satisfaction of knowing, should be enough reason for Laney students to get tested without using extravagant incentives such as free food and gifts.

This was the resounding message conveyed by the ASLC Council members at its regular meeting on Nov. 7.

Representing the Black Student Union, Peralta Student Trustee Reginald James requested $1500 from the ASLC to fund the HIV/AIDS Testing event held on Nov. 14 in the Student Center.

A small portion of the proposed budget provided honorariums for guest speakers and financed marketing materials, but the bulk (approximately 60 percent) was designated to purchase post-testing refreshments and raffle prizes.

James, also Laney Tower Editor-in-Chief, said, "Often times if you're not giving away food or if there's not music playing, people don't participate."

"I would say testing should be mandatory for everyone, but the point is that it's something important, but people may not do it if there's not some sort of carrot on a stick," he added.

Although the council unanimously agreed to lend its endorsement, it could not swallow the large price tag of $900 for incentives to attract participants.

"Getting tested for free is enough. Everybody should be tested to check and [participants] should not be getting gift cards, and we shouldn't be giving away $900 for something they need," Senator Mario Villegas said.

After the council took a write-in vote to suggest a more acceptable budget, President Yvonne Thompson broke the tie between $800 and $1000, deciding to choose $1000, which was then unanimously approved.

"I believe that the council members should be first in line to support and to get tested. We want people to see we support something like this," Thompson said.

"I think this event would really help Laney students. I've already told my entire volleyball team about it," Vice-President Naz Khan said. "I think we have a responsibility to represent it to everyone else. It's just a really good opportunity to get tested."

Also on the agenda of the health-oriented meeting was a budget proposal for the Great American Smoke-Out, held on Nov. 15, the American Cancer Society's annual event that encourages smokers to quit smoking for at least one day so they might quit permanently.

The council approved $100 for the purchase of cigarette filters, as well as use of the petty cash fund to purchase candy sticks, in hopes that these handouts would serve as alternatives to smoking.

Clubs chartered at the meeting were the Health Club and Global Student Alliance. The council unanimously approved the Global Student Alliance, but Senators Villegas and Diego Casillas dissented on the vote for the Health Club. However, the majority of approval allowed for chartering.

President Thompson exercised her power of appointment, with the council's support, to have Senator Villegas fill the vacant treasurer position, which has remained unfilled since the beginning of the council's term.

The publicity commissioner position and now three senator seats still remain vacant.

The next ASLC meeting will be held Nov. 21 in Student Center 401.