University launches initiatives
to combat racism on campus

Responding to student and community concerns about recent events on campus that were motivated by hate and prejudice, the University is undertaking a series of new initiatives to promote a shared understanding of the value of diversity and developing programs to create a welcoming campus climate.

"College campuses are not immune to racism and other forms of hatred that continue to exist in our society at-large," said Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity, in his open e-mail letter to University Park faculty, staff and students last week. "Until we realize that and engage in a proactive campaign to rid our society, and our University, of racism and all the forces that seek to divide us, we will be caught in an endless cycle of treating symptoms rather than fighting the disease."

Now in the planning stages is a series of advertisements, posters and videos to be developed in collaboration with student leaders on the value of diversity. "All Penn State students have earned the right to be here," said Jones. "And we hope these efforts will help convey that message."

Also in the works is a forum on "How Race is Lived in America,"at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, in the HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium. Sponsored by The New York Times and the College of Communications, the forum will focus on observations by journalists who developed a 15-part, front-page series on race in The Times this summer. The forum is open to the public.

Other events this month that promote the cultural diversity of the campus community are several that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month -- from a Latino Food Festival in the College of Engineering on Monday, Nov. 20, to the Hispanic Heritage Month keynote speaker, Ingrid Duran, at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, in 112 Kern Auditorium.

"I am heartened by the responses from the University community to mobilize efforts against racism and hate," said President Graham B. Spanier.

In addition, the University has announced a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who sent racist mail to members of the Black Caucus last month is now available. The reward comes entirely from private funds.

"Hate mail, racial slogans painted on walls and other recent events motivated by hate and prejudice have brought together hundreds of members of our community to commit themselves to unity," said Jones. "While our first priority is always to prevent acts of hatred, once such acts occur we believe that the next priority must be to find and prosecute the perpetrators. With this reward, we intend to send a clear message that actions of racial hate have no place at Penn State."

The fund has been established to reward individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone under state or federal criminal law for a hate crime that occurs on any Penn State campus. These crimes are defined by the FBI Uniform Crime Report as "a criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society, which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity or national origin."

Anyone having information on hate crimes should report them to Terrell Jones at (814) 863-7739 or ; to University Police at any Penn State campus ­- at University Park, the number is (814) 863-1111 -- or to Crime Stoppers at (877) 992-7463.