The Boston University Student Union discussed HIV testing and sexual assault counseling at its second meeting of the semester last night in the Photonics Center.

Although it did not present any proposals at the meeting, the Residential Life Committee, which fosters dialogue between the General Assembly and Student Health Services, is working on adding condom machines to major residence halls, said Vice President Mark DiCristofaro after the meeting.

In response to a proposal from College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Andy Ortolan suggesting SHS offer free HIV and STD testing to students twice each month, SHS Director Dr. David McBride said he will try to periodically provide students with free HIV testing. However, because BU is a private institution, it is not eligible to receive federal funding for that service.

The Residential Life Committee recently proposed establishing student health ambassador positions, which would serve as further liaisons between the GA and SHS.

McBride said some SHS staff members are qualified in counseling raped or sexually assaulted students.

Although SHS provides these counseling services to rape victims, it is not equipped to perform rape evaluations, which are screenings administered to sexual assault victims immediately following incidents of rape to collect physical evidence, McBride said.

Judicial Affairs Director Daryl DeLuca outlined the on- and off-campus services available to students who are raped or sexually assaulted, including SHS crisis intervention counseling and Planned Parenthood in West Campus.

DiCristofaro said SHS offers more opportunities for sexual help than most students know, but it faces advertising and communication obstacles. He said BU should confront sexual issues before students arrive on campus.

“The issue of sexual health is a sensitive one in some people’s minds,” the College of Communication junior said. “There’s no one who’s trying to shelter the issue, but we have a long way to go.”