New voices spoke up against racism yesterday, offering support to the black students and faculty in their efforts to curb racial intolerance.

Administrators, community and student leaders spoke yesterday to about 300 people at the "Speak Out Against Racism" rally sponsored by the University Student Advisory Board in conjunction with the Division of Campus Life; the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership; and the Office of Religious Affairs.

If people in the University community become insensitive to the differing needs of its individual members, they will erode progress that has been made in diversifying the community, some speakers said.

"It makes me sad to think that this diversity that can provide the future for progress can be hindered by actions of a few," said Kelly Ayotte, president of Panhellenic Council.

"The beauty of a place like Penn State is that we do attract people from all kinds of backgrounds, and it is a part of our education to begin to learn to understand and accept those differences," said Mimi Coppersmith, vice president of the University Board of Trustees.

The Paul Robeson Cultural Center's auditorium filled to capacity with concerned students and faculty shortly after noon as they watched a "United Against Racism" banner -- made by the HUB Sign Shop -- being hung across the stage.

Similar banners have been placed on Old Main and on the Mall at College Avenue.

The rally was part of a collective effort to show the community's concern with racism. Originally planned for Old Main's steps, the rally was moved to the cultural center due to rain.

Art Costantino, director of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, offered an introduction, explaining that the event was intended to express support to those who have been victimized by sexism and racism.

Ken Martin, president of the Graduate Student Association said, "I have trouble coming up with easy responses . . . but at the same time it's frustrating because I think . . . you all want to do something positive."

Last week was marked by several black community demonstrations against racism. Early in the morning of Feb. 12, five black women were reportedly accosted by 10 white males. Also, racial flyers deriding Undergraduate Student Government President Seth Williams were found both on and off campus Feb. 13.

The University agreed to a brief list of demands set by the students at a sit-in Feb. 14 in the HUB Fishbowl. A number of meetings haven taken place between members of the administration and the black students since that time.

"If there is one positive result coming from the events of the past dozen days it is the unity we have found in bonding together against the common enemies of racism and bigotry. United, we can defeat such evils," University President Bryce Jordan said.

More racial incidents occurred this weekend when a black woman was reportedly assaulted by a white man. The University posted composites of the man in residence halls.

"The events of the past week are an ugly reflection of a national problem and they have brought shame and sadness to our community," Jordan said.

State College Mayor Arnold Addison pledged the community's commitment to the pursual of racial equality.

"While I sit as the mayor I will push every button that is necessary for me to get the resolution of these problems," he said.

The University as well must work to achieve a diverse climate, Head Football Coach Joe Paterno said. "One of the great joys of my coaching experience has been able to be around some people who come together, and who support each other and do things together and learn from each other, black and white," he said.

"Unfortunately we don't have the people who would really enjoy the experience of joining hands and doing things together to learn from each other," Paterno said.

Although society can create obstacles, these may be overcome, said Sabrina Chapman, director of the Center for Women Students, quoting Bernice Johnson, a black author.

"In this world of vision and struggle there is myopia, division, racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, heterosexism, but there is also passion and persistence and memory and the determination to build what we need," she stated.

The black community is angry about racial injustices and determined to continue the fight to end racism, said Larry Young, director of Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

"We are not tired of fighting the struggle against injustice, ignorance, bigotry, hatred and violence when they rear their ugly heads in our presence," he said. "We are not tired."

"We must make sure that that anger does not stifle our creativity and hamper the progress that we need to make. We must turn that anger, channel it into commitment and through that commitment we must work to transform the community in which we live," Young said.