In an effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among college students, University Health Services (UHS) is specifically targeting some groups of students by extending special testing services.

UHS Community Health Educator Diana Ramos said one focus group is the greek community, which might receive special testing because of its large number of 18- to 25-year-olds, an "at risk" demographic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College Health Association, about one in 500 college students is infected with HIV.

Although plans are still tentative, UHS workers hope to extend off-site HIV/AIDS testing to greeks in the future, Ramos said. UHS currently offers free, confidential HIV/AIDS testing to all students in the Ritenour Building. Although there are no definite plans, Ramos said the location would probably be on campus.

"The most likely candidates for 'at-risk' groups are those with college-age individuals," Ramos said. "With the greek community, we factor in that they're young."

Ramos said UHS must find a site with several offices before testing can be offered. She added that to facilitate testing, UHS would likely have to arrange an off-site testing day for each fraternity and sorority chapter due to the large number of students who are affiliated with greek organizations.

Interfraternity Council President Brian Bertges said he would encourage fraternity members to get tested because of the test convenience. But he added that the greeks' response would depend on the proximity of the testing site.

Panhellenic Council President Colleen Briley said in an e-mail message that HIV/AIDS testing is important for all Penn State students.

"I would encourage all students to be tested, not just necessarily the members of the greek community, but every Penn State student who is at risk," she said.

Ramos said off-site testing services have already been extended to other "risk groups," including the black community, the Latino community, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community.

On March 28, the LGBTA Resource Center in 101 Boucke will offer HIV/AIDS testing as part of Pride Week, Ramos said.

Special testing has also been available at the Grange Building's Multicultural Resource Center for the past three years on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day in February.