The Compass Wednesday, Decembers, 1992 15
Letters
Mandatory HIV tests
can stop AIDS virus
To The Editor
AIDS is a disease that is rapidly spread
ing to all parts of the world. Once, it was
thought that the AIDS virus was limited
to three groups: IV drug abusers, homo
sexuals, and Haitians; however, today
thatassumptionorbeliefisincorrect. We
have heard and learned that anyone can
get the AIDS virus, from heterosexuals to
any person of any race or ethnic back
ground.
We must put a stop to this disease.
Therefore, testing for the AIDS virus
should be mandatory.
Mandatory testing for AIE>S would in
form people who have the virus that they
now are infected. Magic Johnson, for
example, has the HIV virus that causes
AIDS. He found it out when he had the
test for AIDS. He never would have
known that he had the virus without
having taken the test. As a result, this
made him aware that he has the virus that
causes AIDS. This clearly shows that it is
necessary to have an AIDS test, especially
if you are sexually active or on drugs.
When Magic told the American public
that he had the virus that causes AIDS,
the public was shocked, but eventually
they realized that anyone could catdi
AIDS and that AIDS should be tested for
more frequently.
If you don't know that you have the
virus, you could be passing the diseaseon
to people without knowing that you have
it. For instance. Magic's former sexual
partner evidently did not realize that she
had AIDS and as a result infected Magic
with the virus. She could be still passing
the disease on to other people unless she
has been tested for the virus. Our society
does not need this chain reaction.
Some people think that testing for the
AIDS virus should hot be mandatory
because many authorities say they can
not guarantee the confidentiality of test
results. Opponents to mandatory testing
argue that carriers of the virus could be
exposed to discrimina tion by employers,
landlords, insurers, and by their immedi
ate family. However, testing for the virus
could prolongtheir lives and who knows,
the community nr\ay accept them and
help with the AIDS virus.
In short, AIDS testing should be man
datory in all aspects of society-from do-
natingblood to the Red Cross to applying
for a job. You don't have to be an IV drug
abuser to get the AIDS virus. You could
simply be a nomial teenager who did not
know your partner were carrying the
AIDS virus. So we should all work to
make testing for AIDS mandatory.
Kimberly White
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Distributed by Tribune Media Services
Students' hopes high
despite recession's woes
(CPS) The good news is that there are
jobs out there for recent college gradu
ates. The bad news is that the economic
downturn has enabled employers to
hold the line on initial salary offers, the
College Placement Council found in its
annual salary survey.
Another survey shows students are
optimistic that they will find employ
ment in a short time and expect that the
beginning salaries will range from
$20,000 to $30,000.
The council's fall 1992 salary survey
also found that some employers were
not able to place graduates in positions
that they had been offered. The survey
"shows that though the recession did
not provide for an abundance of em-
plojmient opportunities, not all gradu
ates' employment prospects were af
fected by it," the Bethlehem, Pa.-based
council said.
Broken down by major, the council's
survey showed the ups and downs
graduates can experience in beginning
wages:
Nursing: Graduates received start
ing salary offers 10 percent or more
higher than last year, up to $32,597.
Allied health graduates' salaries jumped
7.2 percent to an average of $31,568.
Chemical engineers: The average
starting salary increased 4.6 pecent to
$39,216. Electrical engineers had initial
salary offers average $34,033, and me
chanical engineers received offers of
$34,546.
Civil engineers: The average initial
offer fell slightly to $29,600. Offers from
state and local governments for civil
engineers rose.
Liberal arts: Most disciplines lost
ground, the survey found.
Accounting: Starting salaries for re
cent graduates rose 2.7 percent to an
average offer of $27,351.
MBA graduates: Those with non
technical undergraduate degrees gained
2.4 percent for an average offer of
$36,096. those with technical under
graduate degrees had an average offer
of $40,195 up 4.2 pecent.
The survey was made of offers ex
tended to students graduating between
Sept. 1,1991 and Aug. 31.1992.
Meanwhile, a survey done by Phila
delphia-based Right Associates found
that despite the ongoing recession, col
lege students expect a relatively short
job search, starting salaries between
$20,000 and $30,000 and a promotion
within one to two years.
Right Associates surveyed 325 stu
dents nationwide during career semi
nars for the annuam survey, which
measures career preferences and goals,
job search and career expections and
attitudes about future career advance
ment.
This year 65 percent of the students
surveyed expect beginning salaries to
top out at $30,000, and five percent ex
pect to receive more than $35,000. There
is some concern that these high expec
tations may be out of line with the real
ity of the current job market.
"It is important to ensure that stu
dents' exp>ectations are in sync with the
realities of the marketplace," said
Stanley Tilton, president of Right Asso
ciates. "If they are not, employers will
have a lot of unsatisfied employees on
their hands."
A majority—91 percent— of students
are still optimistic about their future
career plans despite the sluggish
economy, and 75 percent expect to have
the same or better standard of living as
their parents, the majority of whom
hold professional positions.