It’s known around the world for its academics.

Its sprawling grounds won it the award for most beautiful campus in Canada.

It’s even been rated one of North America’s best party schools by Playboy magazine.

Now, students at Western University are chasing a new honour — one involving hundreds of people peeing into cup.

The London university’s student council has partnered with the local public health office to try to set the world record for performing the most tests of sexually-transmitted infections in a day.

Participants only have to provide two things Tuesday — a urine sample and a phone number.

Health officials will get back to them if they test positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia.

“Rather than providing a health card or their real name, they can provide whatever name they want and still get the information if they test positively,” said Tamara Spencer, a co-ordinator for sexual health and education services with the USC.

The standing record for most STI tests in a single day, 767, was set in Basingstoke, England, in 2013.

Fanshawe College tried to break the record last Friday, but came up short with less than 100 people tested.

While making it into the Guinness Books of Records is the goal, organizers say the event aims to reduce the stigma surrounding STIs.

“A lot of people feel embarrassed or ashamed around their friends and they don’t tend to bring (STIs) up. We want to make it a comfortable conversation for everybody,” said Chris Blain, a health promoter with the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

While many STIs are easily treated with antibiotics, some can lead to serious illnesses or damage, including infertility, if left untreated.

dale.carruthers@sunmedia.ca

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