Following more than a month of debate about requests to the administration made by the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, members have written a letter to University President Joab Thomas once again requesting an office, staff position and more education on gay issues.

Last month, LGBSA initiated Project TEACH! -- a program that called for the University to provide more education on homophobia and heterosexism, as well as form a staff position and office for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

LGBSA co-directors sent a letter to Thomas last week responding to a letter he sent to them. Copies of LGBSA's letter were also sent to James Stewart, vice provost for educational equity, and William Asbury, vice president for student services.

The letter was written to clarify LGBSA's position because Thomas misunderstood the second phase of Project TEACH!, which calls for a full-time staff person to address the University's general and educational needs, said Mark Shiner, political co-director of LGBSA.

Thomas' letter said that the staff person would address the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual students and the educational needs of the University's lesbian, gay and bisexual community, Shiner said.

But LGBSA wants the staff position to address the educational needs of the entire University community, as well as the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual students, faculty and staff, said Gus Scheerbaum, LGBSA social/educational co-director.

Thomas said he did not misunderstand the requests and that Stewart's office will deal with them because it is in charge of equity.

Stewart said meeting with LGBSA members may avoid future miscommunication, but he first plans to respond to LGBSA's requests in writing.

Asbury refused to comment.

The Educational Equity Office has a small budget and serves all the University's underrepresented groups, and this is one reason Thomas gave for not having implemented the programs, Scheerbaum said, adding that Thomas also asked LGBSA to work with the President's Planning and Budget Advisory Committee and the Budget Task Force.

But Shiner said Thomas implied that LGBSA lobby these committees. Currently, LGBSA will not work with University groups and offices. The University has to provide these services because of its commitment to creating and maintaining a supportive learning environment, Shiner added.