ISU faculty say the initiative to combat the spread of AIDS in Africa, announced by President Bush in his State of the Union address Jan. 28, is just one small step forward on the long road to solving the world’s AIDS epidemic.

Bush asked Congress to triple AIDS spending in Africa and Haiti to $15 billion over the next five years, including $10 billion in new money, during his address. Before his speech, Bush had only asked for $900 million for fiscal year 2003.

ISU professors said although Bush’s initiative could potentially have positive effects, much more needs to be done to curb the worldwide AIDS epidemic.

J. Herman Blake, professor of educational leadership and policy studies and director of the African-American Studies Program, said he was content with the Bush’s remarks, but leadership in combating the disease has long been absent.

“I was very pleased to see that the president is paying attention to the profoundly significant plague that is sweeping the world,” Blake said.

“I think the U.S. leadership, with the exception of a few members of Congress and some leaders in the Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention], has done a very poor job of addressing these issues; [the neglect is] not just limited to President Bush.”

Blake said he was “quite surprised” about the large amount of money Bush asked for, but said a lot can happen before results are seen.

“I don’t see them sending the money,” Blake said. “[The AIDS outbreak in Africa and Haiti] are only precursors to other parts of the world in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America and this is not a matter the United States can ignore. I’d rather see [Bush] spend more time and attention on increasing the emphasis on wellness and health throughout the world.”

The plan would target the countries of Botswana, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Emily Moore, professor of educational leadership and policy studies, said she was happy with Bush’s proposal on AIDS; however, much more is needed.

Recently, Moore was commissioned by Spelman College in Atlanta to write one of seven HIV/AIDS position papers as a focus for discussion at three international conferences to be held in Senegal, Brazil and Atlanta.

Moore is currently working in islands off the coast of South Carolina, continuing her HIV prevention research. Her comments were obtained via e-mail.

Donnell Bivens, program assistant for the ISU African-American studies program, said he hopes the United State’s recent leadership in fighting AIDS will have a “ripple effect” on other nations.

“It’s a great step in the right direction,” Bivens said. “But at the same time, it’s been a long time coming. The United States is one of the major power nations in the world, so maybe a lot of other countries will follow our lead.”

Bivens, graduate student in educational leadership and policy studies, said educational institutions’ leaders need to increase their education of AIDS awareness.

“AIDS education has to come from more than just programs, or stars doing media bites,” Bivens said.

“Curriculum needs to heighten awareness of HIV/AIDS. Instructors could shape their lectures around the subject.”

Babatunde Oni, ISU Nigerian Student Association member and former president of the organization, said he believes the money Bush is asking Congress for isn’t enough considering the number of countries where AIDS has reached epidemic proportions. He said he has doubts about the Bush administration and its promises.

“I don’t really trust the Bush administration at all,” said Oni, senior in philosophy.

The ISU Thielen Student Health Care Center offers free HIV testing to ISU students and non-students. Testing is confidential and available from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.

— CNN contributed to this story.