Today is World AIDS Day, a program under sponsorship of the United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS.

Many Iowa State organizations and Ames High School students have been working to put together activities and programs to promote AIDS awareness during the week.

Eric Rhein, artist and art critic infected with AIDS, will be speaking at the Brunnier Art Museum on the impact AIDS has had on the art community Monday at 7 p.m.

The movie “Jeffrey,” a comedy about a gay man who swears off sex because he’s scared of contracting AIDS, will be shown free of charge by the Student Union Board at 8 p.m. Monday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

On Tuesday, the Women’s Center will hold a topic on women and HIV or AIDS at noon.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance will hold a Safer Sex program at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Cardinal Room of the MU.

The Student Health Advisory Committee will be handing out condoms at local bars including People’s Bar and Grill, 2428 Lincoln Way, and Cy’s Roost, 121 Welch Ave., Wednesday night.

Thursday night there will be a candlelight vigil where people can meet in the South Ball Room of the MU at 7 p.m.

There will be a walk to Lake Laverne, hot apple cider and ministers speaking.

There will be additional events going on all week, including World AIDS Day booths and tables set up around campus that will distribute information and free condoms.

“What we are hoping the goal of this World AIDS Day to be is that we’re challenging people to remember the long term effects of the AIDS epidemic,” said Jamie Krambeer, a coordinator of World AIDS Day at ISU and a health education intern at Student Health.

Krambeer, junior in journalsim and mass communications, said World AIDS Day is a campus and community wide effort.

Many new organizations are joining each year to help with awareness.

“The possibility to get more of the community involved next year is there more than it has been in past years,” Krambeer said.

Organizations involved with activities include the Brunnier Art Museum, Student Union Board, Ames High School, AIDS Coalition, the Women’s Center, LGBTA Alliance, Student and Staff against AIDS, Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils, Student Health Center, SHAC and Multicultural Awareness Support System (MASS).

“We are really excited about having Ames High working with us; it’s great to have the high school kids interested and taking part in World AIDS day,” Krambeer said.

In addition to campus wide activities, the National AIDS Hotline is encouraging the use of its “Group Calls” program on Dec. 1, where students and other groups can learn about HIV and AIDS from a trained counselor.

“Our Group Calls program is especially helpful for people who may be hesitant to call the National AIDS Hotline individually,” said Ami Israel, hotline director. “Many people feel more comfortable initially seeking information in a group setting. After the Group Call, they may be more likely to call back with individual concerns.”

The National AIDS Hotline, which started in 1986, is operated by the American Social Health Association under contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To arrange a Group Call, contact the National AIDS Hotline at its English service, 1-800-342-2437; Spanish service, 1-800-344-7432; or for TDD service, 1- 800-243-7889.