Michigan- Reports that a gay pornography production company is allegedly operating out of Ann Arbor prompted the Dean of Students Sue Eklund and Housing Director Carole Henry to send an e-mail on April 7, warning the campus community about the implications of participating in pornography on campus. But it is not clear whether the company is actually filming in campus buildings.

An employee of the website told an undercover Michigan Daily reporter posing as an interested pornography model that the website does not take illicit photographs or film pornographic acts on University property.

"We're not allowed to do that on campus," the employee said after a brief pause when asked by the undercover reporter whether it he could shoot pornography in a residence hall or another University-owned building, which is illegal.

The statement contradicts a comment made to The Daily Oakland Press by Derek Ward, a 24-year-old man who is the producer of the pornography. Ward said the website films material anywhere on campus, "from bathrooms, dorm rooms to study halls and libraries. It's just a bunch of guys looking to show off on campus."

The article said the website, www.midwestxbois.com, has recruited at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and Wayne State University. The producers call the campaign their "College Campus Invasion Tour."

Creating and distributing gay pornography with models more than 18 years old is not illegal, but doing so on University property is, University spokesperson Julie Peterson said.

About 30 male models, ranging from fully clothed to completely naked, appear on the site. Some are seen engaging in anal and oral sex, as well as masturbating. Several pictures showcase up to eight men taking part in orgies.

Although there is an open invitation posted on the website inviting journalists and others to interview the owners of the website, the MidWestXBois proprietor refused to be interviewed by The Michigan Daily.

In an e-mail to the undercover Daily reporter, an employee of the website wrote that most of the models participate in pornography because of a desire to do so and not for pay. The e-mail stated, "We don't pay you for photos which are required, but we may pay for video if we like what we see."

Posts on the site's Yahoo Group state that the models' pictures will be funneled to other pornography sites and that models will earn a 15-percent commission after the completion of nine videos. It goes on to say that the website is "a good opportunity to build up your resume for those who are serious about making a career out of the industry."

Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown said the charge for engaging in sex or pornography in public places would be indecent exposure. Brown said these acts could qualify as a misdemeanor and include up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Ward's claim that he was filming in dorms also violates University residence hall policies. Before videotaping in residence halls for commercial purposes, students must go through an approval process. The housing lease also prohibits students from running a commercial business out of their dorm rooms.

Peterson stressed that the University is most concerned with the often negative emotional and psychological implications of participating in pornography.

"People in this business can make a lot of promises; some might not be able to follow through - even financially," Peterson said. " We don't want people to be exploited. Problems of fame and fortune might not materialize, since the person just wants to make a quick buck off of you."

A website proprietor posted a response to Detroit Local 4's coverage of the story on www.midwestxbois.com.

"Please keep in mind these are adults we are speaking of," the proprietor wrote. "They are capable of making their own decisions."

Frederic MacDonald-Dennis, director of the University's Office of LGBT Affairs, sent an e-mail like the University's to the LGBT community.

"We fully support your rights to do with your bodies as you choose," MacDonald-Dennis wrote. "However, we do strongly encourage you to think carefully about how your images may be used by people who do not have your best interests in mind."

The spokespeople of various universities across the state said they had been notified of the "College Campus Invasion Tour" but had not found evidence that filming had actually taken place on their campuses.

The website states that every Saturday in April the pornography producers will be holding appointments at EMU.

EMU spokesman Ward Mullens said he does not believe MidwestXBois has been conducting meetings on the EMU campus because no one has requested rooms or put up flyers recruiting models. But he maintains it is possible the University has missed something because of the large size of the campus.

GVSU spokeswoman Mary Eileen Lyon said the GVSU administration is aware of the situation but has found no evidence of it.

"We made inquiries, everyone said no and that's where we sit at the moment," she said. "It sounded like some other campuses were a little busier than we were."

The Yahoo group says some of the models also come from Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.