The ASUA Pride Alliance will be holding free HIV testing on campus today from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation will do the testing and provide results within 20 minutes.

“”Sexual education is extremely important, and it’s hard to have safe practices if you don’t know what your status is,”” said Derek Knocke, a psychology major and intern for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Pride Alliance. “”The goal is to increase people’s awareness and have them be aware of what their HIV status is.””

This will be the third year that free HIV testing will be offered on the UA campus, according to Jai Smith, the co-director of ASUA Pride Alliance. The ASUA Pride Alliance has been sponsoring the tests for the last two years and adapted the service from the Women’s Resource Center, which provided it for one year.

At this event, participants can expect confidentially, professionalism and a relaxed setting. If an individual’s status does come back positive, there will be professionals on site who will be waiting to assist with the resources and materials needed.

“”It is a wonderful opportunity, completely free and it takes all of 20 minutes,”” Knocke said. “”Everyone should come down and get their status updated.””