Miami University, in partnership with Get Yourself Tested (GYT), hosted a day devoted to educating students on sexually transmitted infections (STI) Wednesday, which included offering reduced priced STI tests for students.
From 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. students could go to Miami's Student Health Services building and receive an STI test for $55, approximately $100 less than the normal price for an STI test.
MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation with the Center for Disease Control and Planned Parenthood originally started the GYT initiative in 1997 to support young people in making responsible decisions about their sexual health.
The editorial board of The Miami Student commends the university for addressing a growing need for more sex education.
The board recommends the university invest in more awareness in the future for students to benefit the most.
There is a need to ensure more STI testing options for students since general knowledge about sex is lacking on Miami's campus.
Many students are unaware of the prevalence of STIs among the student body. Of students tested for Chlamydia at Miami, 4-5 percent test positive, an STI with approximately 1.2 million new cases each year.
The board urges students to be proactive about getting tested on a somewhat regular basis.
If we are responsible enough, mature enough and old enough to have sex, then we should also be smart enough to check for any potential dangers to our own health.
While it is not realistic for Miami students to ask every partner about his or her sexual history, if they always use a condom or if they have been tested recently, we owe it to ourselves and to others to take these protective steps.
Yes, going to the health center or even McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital for an STI test may be embarrassing.
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But hooking up with a random person from the bar, walking home the next morning and later finding out you have Chlamydia or Syphilis is more embarrassing.
Moreover, the board urges all students to take the time to get an STI test and to research STI symptoms.
Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, or have had multiple sex partners, remember STI's can occur in anyone and many have no symptoms.
Because at the end of the day, there should be no lovin' without the glovin.'
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