The Health Center will begin offering HIV blood test screenings Oct. 23, the center's administrator Kathleen Maloney said last Tuesday. The tests, which were supposed to begin at the start of the semester, experienced unforeseen setbacks, she said.After even more preparation and planning since the beginning of the semester, Maloney said the center is finally ready to conduct the tests, which can be scheduled by appointment only.

She said that at first, only three appointments will be available per week.

Maloney drafted an HIV-testing proposal last spring after over 300 students registered for free and confidential tests. This day of testing followed the lobbying efforts of the Student Global Aids Campaign.

Iyah Romm '07, a former coordinator for SGAC said "I hope that testing isn't seen as a lone prevention method," and that the testing is part of a large scale effort to keep students healthy.

"Having the testing on campus has helped fill a large gap in our school wide efforts to educate students about HIV and help prevent the spread of the disease," Romm said.

Maloney explained the protocol for testing: A first appointment will involve her documenting the patient's sexual history and reason for visiting. Next, she will educate the patient about HIV and safe sex and administer a blood test. The patient will then have to schedule a follow-up visit to receive the results. No results will be given over the phone, Maloney said.

Students will probably have to pay about $25 for the test, Maloney said, because most medical insurance policies will only pay for a screening that is part of a regular medical visit.

Maloney said students should only schedule appointments if they feel they may have been exposed to HIV because the center's resources are limited.

"We're past supporting the cause now. So people really shouldn't come just for the sake of coming because if that happens, then the students who may be at risk aren't going to be able to get an appointment," she said.