West Virginia University students are joining the likes of Oprah Winfrey, U2’s Bono, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, Will Smith, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Alicia Keyes and former South African President Nelson Mandela in their efforts to fight the HIV /AIDS epidemic.

This week, WVU senior Jeff Freeman and The Institute for Human Dignity, a nonprofit organization created by students in partnership with Mandela’s 46664 campaign, are kicking off the Higher Learning Program, a WVU student-driven initiative to promote awareness of the global community.

To that end, Freeman is calling on fellow students to give one minute of their lives to AIDS by joining an online Global Petition and donating money to relief and research. Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, a booth will be set up in the Mountainlair where students can”sign”the petition, gather information, purchase 46664 T-shirts and make financial contributions.”46664”was the number Mandela wore for 18 years while he was imprisoned for his efforts to rid South Africa of apartheid, Freeman explained. It is now being used as the name for a new campaign to bring attention to what he describes as”possibly one of the greatest human rights issues in our world’s history.”

Mandela’s son died of AIDS in January. Freeman noted more than 2 million people died of HIV /AIDS in Africa alone in 2003. Adding to the problem is a high rate of new cases. There were more than 3 million new infections, a 12 percent increase from 2002. Many of these are children who have had the disease passed on to them by their parents. Another 14 million children have been left orphaned as a result of the epidemic.

In addition to the Mountainlair, other donation sites will include residence hall front desks, the University Honor’s Program office, the Sterling University Ridge main office and some of the larger classrooms throughout campus.

Freeman’s goals are to involve 80 percent or more of the student body in the petition and raise $20,000. David Stewart, WVU dean of students, has pledged $500 to the project on behalf of Student Affairs and encourages others to donate to the cause.”The Global Petition is meant to unite people in their awareness of the HIV /AIDS epidemic and educate them as to how this fight can be won,”Freeman said.”It only takes 60 seconds to join, which is nothing considering how vital this single action could prove to be.”

Additional information about upcoming events will be posted on the MIX (Mountaineer Information Xpress). If the program succeeds, Freeman plans to expand it to other universities in the fall.

“This is WVU ’s chance to set the trend and let the nation follow behind its example of compassion and concern for all humankind,”he said.”The table is set; now it’s up to WVU to deliver.”

For more information, e-mail jfreeman@truthrising.org .

On the Net: http://www.truthrising.org