A message from the President
Unity Rally for Tolerance
November 12, 1999

"I join you today in condemning the threatening e-mail messages that have been sent to students of color in our community as well as other acts of hate and harassment. Messages of hate and insensitivity are totally abhorrent. I am very sorry that our students have been subjected to these communications. Threats to any of us represent threats to all of us. No one is our community should allow such actions to go unnoticed.

We will not tolerate such acts of hostility at Penn State and are working with the FBI, the state Attorney General's Office, the Penn State police and other law enforcement agencies to investigate this crime. If we can find out who sent these messages, we will take every available action to prosecute the person or persons responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

Such incidents of hate are especially repugnant in a university community where we emphasize enlightenment and compassion, the exact opposite of the ignorance and intolerance expressed in the messages. Dignity, equality and justice should be basic values for Penn State. Understanding and acceptance are among our fundamental goals. It is the right of every member of our University community to be accepted, respected and supported.

I appreciate the commitment of all of you here today who reach out through this rally with a message of support. Today we send a message of unity to the entire Penn State community and beyond. Speaking out together against such incidents leaves no doubt about where our university stands. We must stand together. I join you wholeheartedly in deploring the recent acts that reflect hate, intolerance and insensitivity against students of color at Penn State. And I reiterate that we will not tolerate such acts of hostility at this University."

-- President Graham B. Spanier

November 3:
Message from President Spanier to students who received racist e-mail

Several students have forwarded to me emails just minutes ago that suggest that someone is using a commercial e-mail service to send hateful mail to Penn State students of color.

I find this message totally abhorrent and I can assure you that we will deploy the investigative resources of the University to look into this. If we can find out who sent this, we will take action to have the individual fully disciplined and charged with any crimes that apply. I have asked Dr. Terrell Jones, Vice Provost for Educational Equity, to take the lead in following up on this, and I have alerted our chief of police and our computer and network security people. I am very sorry that you were subjected to this hateful and threatening message. We will not tolerate such acts of hostility.

Please let Dr. Jones know if you receive any other threatening messages or if you have any information about who might have sent this message.

-- President Graham B. Spanier

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Last updated 11/18/1999