Vanderbilt students are raising awareness this week about AIDS and its prevention.

The men of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity are hosting a series of events to give students a reality check and give the global issue a local perspective.

Junior and treasurer of Kappa Alpha Psi Chris Griffin said he thinks college-aged students know the statistics and the complications that arise from the disease but are contradictory in their actions.

"I think everyone knows that it's out there," said Griffin. "But I don't think that people are putting into effect the things they need to do in order to avoid the virus. I'm pretty sure there is a lot of unprotected sex going on and that doesn't need to happen."

In addition to handing out pamphlets and contraceptives and offering free AIDS testing, the fraternity is hosting a luncheon on Friday at noon in the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center.

At the luncheon, giveaways will include a Code Red iPod Nano and raffle tickets for donors. Money from the raffle will benefit a local AIDS organization.

"We chose to focus on a local organization because national ones get money from everywhere," Griffin said. "These local places are the ones who really need this money."

The men of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity hope individuals will get a lot out of the week of programming because of the emphasis on practical ways to avoid AIDS instead of the usual "scare tactics."

"I think they need to be aware of what they are doing rather than actually be scared," Griffin said. "They know that (AIDS) is there, they just need to do something about it."