The local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will hold a membership drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the HUB basement.

The University chapter, established in 1987, has been involved in many campus activities to promote diversity, including a local march held last semester to support civil rights laws and a series of events held this semester to commemorate the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

"We have openly expressed the need for diversity in our organization," said Elizabeth Walker, chapter president.

Walker said she wants to reach out to the State College community for membership, noting she does not want the community to think the organization is only for black students and residents.

The NAACP holds general assembly meetings once a month in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center to discuss new programs and issues concerning the campus and State College community. The next meeting will be held Feb. 19.

Currently the local NAACP chapter has 175 members, Walker said.

Student and faculty memberships are $3 and $10, respectively, said Andre Powell, membership committee chairman.

"We encourage everyone to come down," he said.

The NAACP will continue its membership drive from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 1-2 in the HUB Basement.

"Numbers are up tremendously compared to the summer," she said. This summer there were only 75 members, Walker said.

Walker said Powell's work, the membership drive held last September by Delta Sigma Theta sorority, 108 Hibbs Hall, and the Black Caucus helped boost the numbers.

"The drive held last semester brought in some good numbers," Powell said.

Although participation is good, Walker said membership numbers could be better.

Walker said about 45 percent of the members are actively involved in committees. She became an active NAACP member in fall 1987, serving as chairwoman on the entertainment committee.

"We stress to our members to become a part of a committee," she said.

The committees that need active members include Press and Publicity, Political Action, Labor and Industry, Programs and Research and Education.

Walker said University President Bryce Jordan's membership, which was taken out last October, influenced many administrators to become members.

At this point more students than faculty members are involved, she said, but hopes that more faculty will come out to the drive.

"About 15 faculty members have taken out memberships," Powell said. He said many of the faculty come regularly to the general meetings.