The Undergraduate Student Government Senate last night passed two resolutions aimed at ensuring the lesbian and gay community's rights to equal treatment.

The legislation, sponsored by South Halls Senator Brad Haartz, resolved that the senate request action by the University on two issues of major importance to lesbians and gay men at the University: one, entitled "University Collegian advertisements," requested that the University re-evaluate its minority affairs advertising policy in the The Daily Collegian. A recent study by USG indicated that the University placed 21 advertisements in the Collegian, over the first four weeks of spring semester, calling attention to racial minorities but none dealing with sexual minorities.

The other, entitled "University Nondiscrimination Clause," labeled the University's stand on sexual orientation issues and acts of intolerance "inconsistent" and called for the senate to "convincingly show its commitment against discrimination based on sexual orientation."

The senate passed both resolutions.

"I think it's a shame that the University has overlooked the gay community, and I think it's about time we asked them to stop," Haartz said. "Awareness has to come first."

Continuing in the spirit of openness, the senate passed a resolution establishing a committee to investigate the University's religious climate. The committee, which will consist of members of the senate and USG Academic Assembly, will hold hearings and conduct research to determine if the University is "doing enough to ensure that students can practice their religions freely and without penalty," according to the resolution. East Halls Senator Chris Gazze, the resolution's sponsor, said the measure is "something to deal with religious inequalities." Gazze was also selected as the senate's co-chair of the committee.

In other business, the senate allocated $380 to USG Treasurer Steve Lauser so he can buy top USG officials gifts to commemorate their service in USG. The senate also approved Anne McFadden (sophomore-public service) to a USG Supreme Court justice post and Mark Milsop (senior-economics) to a USG elections court justice position.