As Cupid's arrow kicks off another Valentine's Day, many students are reminded of how much friends and loved ones care when they receive the traditional cards, candy, and flowers.
However, February 14 marks another holiday, but one sponsored by the American Social Health Association - National Condom Day.
National Condom Day was founded in 1992 to remind couples to make love responsibly by protecting their sexual health.
But due to the AIDS Awareness Week festivities on campus that ended just five days ago, nothing was planned at the University for Condom Week, which continues until February 21.
Polly Paulson, health education coordinator at University Health Services, said there were no activities plannned because of the AIDS NAMES Project memorial quilt's display on campus last week.
LSA first-year student Andy Linquiest said most people are already well-informed about safe sex issues.
"I didn't know that there was a need for National Condom Day or Week since there has been more than enough education about sexually transmitted diseases," Linquiest said. "Everyone has to know the danger of not using a condom by now, but there are always those who like to ignore the statistics. It's kind of like smoking - everyone knows that it's bad for you but a lot do it anyways."
National Condom Day is most widely publicized on college campuses, where sexual activity is more prevalent, said ASHA spokesperson Sharon Broom. With ASHA encouraging clinics, organizations and university health centers to become involved in the process of educating the public about condoms, universities across the country have arranged for condom fairs, campaigns, speakers, and the distribution of free condoms.
Condom sales have drastically increased at Condoms 101 on South University Avenue during this past week before Valentine's Day, said Beth Karmeisool, who owns the store. Valentine Condom sold out a few days ago, and yesterday was busy as groups of shoppers came in throughout the day, a Condoms 101 employee said.
Other popular purchases this week include the flavored condom and some novelty items such as the glow in the dark condom, which can't be used for protection because the glowing substance causes the rubber to break down.
Even with the hype and increased business that Valentine's Day brings, Karmeisool said she has concerns about combining Valentine's Day and National Condom Day.
"Picking Valentine's Day as National Condom Day was not a good idea because it's not a day for sex, but for the feeling of love between either parents, siblings, or a significant other," Karmeisool said. "Associating condoms with the day is assuming a lot because not everyone is intimate and having sex."
Art first-year student Ty Mattson said he believes that "it's kind of tacky to put these two things (Valentine's Day and National Condom Day) together because it furthers the misconception that you must be sexually active to be in love."
Nationally, the Institute of Medicine reports that of the 10 most reported infectious diseases, five are sexually transmitted. Teen-agers account for about one-fourth of all sexually transmitted diseases reported each year, the study states.
Genital warts are the most reported STD on campus, according to University Health Services. With the help of clinicians, students can go through an STD assessment to look for other possible infections since many - including HIV/AIDS, herpes and gonorrhea - have few symptoms.
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Martin Folk, a chef at Stockwell Residence Hall, saws his way through a piece of ice for a St. Valentine's Day sculpture outside the residence hall. Ice sculptures are on display in front of Stockwell every winter.