Buttons, banners and signs blaring "Homophobia has no Place at Penn State" and "United Against Racism" may have fallen by the wayside, but the slogans will soon be replaced by a new University-sponsored advertising campaign aimed at promoting diversity.

Ads featuring about six members of the University community with text addressing racist or homophobic attitudes will make up the new campaign scheduled to begin in a couple of weeks, said Brian McKernan, a member of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance.

McKernan described the campaign as more thought provoking than previous campaigns and noted the student-centered approach.

"We're excited about it ... I'm glad that this is centered on students," he said.

James Stewart, a member of the Campus Environment Team, said the team has been closely involved with the ad development process.

"We have been reviewing the new poster that's going to be produced," he said, adding that this year's posters and ads are designed to create greater understanding of concerns of Hispanics, women and blacks, among other groups.

The new campaign has a three-fold purpose to educate, provoke thought and promote what the University considers good values about subjects like cultural diversity and individual rights, Stewart said.

Ideas arise for such campaigns when a design team takes proposals to the Campus Environment Team. After the team reviews the idea, the design group assembles a model campaign, solicits input from various University groups -- including students -- and then returns to the environment team for final approval, Stewart said.

The procedure can take up to two months, he added.

McKernan noted that Cynthia Hall, who designed the "Homophobia has no Place at Penn State" campaign, recently attended an LGSA meeting to listen to the group's concerns and incorporate them into the new ad series.

"It's a much more participatory process as it relates to students," Stewart said of this year's effort.

The Campus Environment Team meets once per week on Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11 to share information about the campus climate, Stewart said.

In addition to working with publicity issues, the group also provides a forum for representatives from specific groups to voice their concerns and tries to implement pro-active rather than reactive measures, Stewart said.

Citing a recent session with members of Yachad about alleged anti- Semitic incidents, Stewart said the team tries to collect information from the grass roots to solve problems.

Yachad spoke with the members regarding a fraternity social with a Rosh Hashanah theme and the sale of Nazi paraphernalia downtown, Stewart said.

Members of the Campus Environment Team are:

-- Stewart.

-- William Asbury, vice president for student services.

-- Robert Dunham, executive vice president and vice provost for academic services.

-- Carol Herrmann, vice president for administration.

-- Bill Mahon, director of public information.

-- Patricia Peterson, assistant vice president for campus life.

-- David Stormer, assistant vice president for safety and environmental services.

-- The Affirmative Action Office is also represented on the team, but because former Affirmative Action Officer Suzanne Brooks was fired recently, the post is now empty.