According to the College's view-book for prospective students, diversity and distinction are the hallmarks of a Harvard education.

A group of students publishing a new magazine are seeing if that statement holds true.

Diversity and Distinction, which will be door-dropped this week, is dedicated to exploring a variety of minority issues in the Harvard community.

"We looked around and there are a smattering of different magazines for minorities, but we thought they were only being read by people in their own community," said Michael M. Luo '98, who founded the magazine.

The magazine's first issue includes articles on affirmative action, a history of race relations at Harvard and being "Young. Gifted. Black. Gay."

Staff members both wrote for the debut issue and solicited outside contributors.

Carla A. Halpern, a second-year student at the Law School, submitted an article on deaf culture after seeing an advertisement Luo posted to the Internet.

"I felt that it was something that would not be approached," she said. "When I began working in American sign language, I had no idea I would be opening a whole new culture."

The magazine organizers' biggest concern is fundraising, said Luo, who is a Crimson editor. This issue was funded mainly by grants from Harvard groups such as the Undergraduate Council, the Dean of Students' Office and the Radcliffe Union of Students.

Ideally, though, Luo would like to see the magazine function on the support of advertisements and subscriptions.

"Everyone agrees on a magazine like us," Luo said, "but all have ideas as to what they want us to do."

Subscriptions will cost $20 annually, though the magazine will be distributed free to students. Luo said he expects to publish four issues this year.

Three thousand copies of the first issue were printed at a cost of $2,000, said Christopher H. Luo '98, one of the magazine's business managers and Mike Luo's twin brother.

Starting tomorrow, the magazine will be door-dropped and distributed in Science Center. Delivery should be completed by Saturday, Mike Luo said.

Mike Luo said he developed the idea behind the magazine last spring. Through discussions with friends, Luo compiled a staff to help produce it.

Danielle E. Sherrod '98, a board member, said that she decided to become involved in the magazine because she was very excited by Luo's idea.

"I thought that I'd really like to be involved and discuss some issues on paper that would be harder to talk about," Sherrod said