Collection I0031 - Concordia HIV/AIDS Project collection

In 1986, the Concordia University Office of the Rector became concerned with the rising of social and health issues related to HIV/AIDS. In 1988, the possibility of establishing a HIV/AIDS policy to protect persons studying or working at Concordia, living with HIV or AIDS, began to make it-self clear. After a consultation process, on December 1, 1988, the University Guidelines on HIV/AIDS Related Concerns was approved by the Rector, the Vice-Rectors and the Secretary-General. This policy made provisions for the following:

A HIV/AIDS Resource person to work with the University’s Health Services to provide confidential information, counselling and referral services;
A part-time coordinator working with departments, associations and individuals to develop an on-going training and information programme to counter the effects of misinformation and the possible discrimination it breeds;
A HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee to implement and update the new guidelines on a regular basis.

In the same month, the HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee was established. In 1993, the Committee, with a group of faculty and staff, founded the HIV/AIDS Project. That same year, the HIV/AIDS Lecture Series was launched. Speakers are social, scientific, medical, arts and community leaders who provide public lectures in their respective areas of expertise. In 1994-1995, the Course HIV and AIDS: Cultural, Social and Scientific Aspects of the Pandemic was introduced. Enrolled students have to do an internship in an HIV/AIDS community organization. As course projects, students are asked to produce creative works which are exhibited in a gallery at the end of the academic year. In 1998, the Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality was introduced. In 2001-2002, an on-line course HIV/AIDS: An Interdisciplinary Introduction was launched. It is offered throughout Canada.