In a half-page advertisement called "pro-active" by members of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance, the University continues its efforts to increase campus awareness of on-campus minority groups.

The ad, which features a photograph of six LGSA members smiling and casually embracing, also includes a description of thoughts and emotions of gay men and lesbians at the University.

It is part of an on-going campaign funded by the University's Equal Opportunity Planning Committee to increase diversity awareness, said Vice President Bob Dunham.

He said rather than focusing on the administration, the group is looking to focus on students from minority groups to bring out the issues.

"Our hope was that we could introduce their feelings and thoughts to the community and to get the community to think about what these groups stand for," Dunham said, adding that similar ads featuring African-Americans, Hispanics and various religious groups are on the way.

The ad seems to have generated a very positive effect so far, said Jeff Kemp (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies), who appeared in the ad.

"I think it's excellent that the University took a positive step without anything negative happening first," Kemp said. He said in most cases the University seems to promote awareness only as a response to an intolerant incident.

The University administration put the ad together and then contacted LGSA to review its content, said Jeff McCarty, LGSA political co-director. McCarty said the main point of the ad is to address the conflict of sexuality in today's world.

"It's not the fault of gays and lesbians that this conflict exists," McCarty said.

The ad also includes an example of a letter to the editor.

Hall, the ad's creator, said the fictional letter is based on a year's research of letters of intolerance, similar in style. She said it acts creatively as a headline and seeks to draw the reader in to read the message.

"I'm hoping we can reach out to the entire town and community -- faculty, staff, students and community residents -- and present the critical issues with regard to diversity," Hall said.

The advertisement also ran in the Centre Daily Times and is not directed toward only the University community.

"It is in support of all the other efforts and is just one more step in the process," Hall said.

"It was a good beginning for them (the University) to start to try to make progress for problems that lesbians and gays face on campus," said Lisa Allgood, LGSA social co-director.