SEMO TO FOCUS ON AIDS IMPACT

Southeast Missouri State University's Common Hour programs this fall will focus on AIDS.

"Beyond the Red Ribbon: Societal Impact of HIV/AIDS" will be the theme for the Wednesday noon-hour programs.

No classes are held during the Common Hour, which was established several years ago to offer lectures and other activities for students.

There will be one all-campus Common Hour each month.

The Sept. 1 program will focus on the legal and judicial aspect of AIDS. Professor Michael Closen of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago will be the featured speaker.

He has taught AIDS law courses at four law schools and has made presentations on AIDS legal issues at international programs in Canada, France, Italy, Holland, Israel and Germany.

The Oct. 6 program will feature a discussion by panelists on how HIV/AIDS has affected their lives.

The Nov. 3 program will feature a theatrical program on the topic.

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day. This year, the university AIDS Committee will present Dr. Richard Keeling.

A scholar and writer, Keeling is a leader in the field of college health.

Keeling has spoken about the major health concerns of young people -- binge drinking, drug and tobacco abuse, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease, sexual assault and relationship violence, unwanted pregnancy and eating disorders.

Keeling's presentation will focus on why people do what they do and how they decide about drinking, relationships and sex.