Valentine's Day: whether you love it, hate it or forgot about it, the day has arrived.

All around campus, there are opportunities to spread the love. Carnations and singing telegrams, on sale for the past week, will be delivered to friends, lovers and the unsuspecting secretly-admired.

The Chi Omega sorority has been selling carnations for $1 apiece to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The flowers are designated red for love, white for friend and pink for secret admirer, and were delivered Monday night by the Chi Omega members. The sorority raised $600 last year and decided to repeat the fundraiser this year in hopes of raising the same amount.

Another flower fundraiser was set up by the students going on a Spring BreakOut trip to the Dominican Republic. The 'flower grams,' sold for $2, include delivery of a flower along with a personal note written by the sender. As of Friday, the group had sold about 100 flower grams and hoped to reach 200 to meet their goal.

Also joining in the Valentine's Day spirit is Athletes in Action, who will be handing out carnations to the women on campus.

'It's a practical way to show God's love to the students,' said one member who asked not to be named.

For those in need of a last-minute gift, the UD bookstore is selling balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, chocolates and more, with free Valentine's Day delivery. You can also stop by the bookstore to have a picture taken with a friend or significant other in front of a professional backdrop. The picture is $5 and includes a frame.

For many students, Valentine's Day plans are determined by its mid-week occurrence and limited budgets.

'It's a Tuesday, isn't it'? asked freshman pre-med student Heather Gresh. 'Probably just a simple date.'

'I'm going to cook dinner for my boyfriend, and then he's going to give me all my gifts,' said Danielle Williams, a sophomore theatre and international studies major. 'We decided not to go out this year.'

'My boyfriend and I celebrate the day after, because restaurants are too crowded the day of,' said junior Jeannette Bonomo.

Sophomore business majors Mallory Cummins and Jimmy O'Hara will be showing Valentine's Day love to the senior citizens at 10 Wilmington Place. They are going with their business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, to dance with the nursing home residents.

For students looking for a fun time at a cheap price, SGA is holding their fourth annual Velvet Kisses semi-formal on Saturday, Feb. 18. The price is $7 for a couple, which includes transportation, a pasta bar, and two free drink tickets (including non-alcoholic drink tickets for those under 21).

'$7 for a dance? That's pretty incredible'and it's fun,' said Kevin Keller, one of the SGA members who planned the event, along with John Gravier and Gordon Schweitzer.

The event will be held at Mandalay Banquet Center, and there will be buses leaving at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to transport students there. Students may drive themselves if they wish, but it is preferred that they take the buses, particularly students who plan on drinking alcohol, Keller said.

Anyone is welcome to come to the event, and last year around 200 students attended. This year they're hoping for up to 400 attendees.

'I would like to see the place packed,' Keller said.

Students will be greeted with a red carpet at the Banquet Center, and the dance will include a DJ and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit.

There will be tables in KU next week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students interested in purchasing tickets to the Velvet Kisses semi-formal.

For more information, call the SGA office at x94444 or e-mail kellerkd@notes.udayton.edu.