Although the Undergraduate Student Government vice presidential candidates continued to express the need for cultural diversity, three of the four candidates could not list more than one of the black student community's 15 demands stemming from last April's sit-in.

Candidates responded to questions at a debate last night from panelist Tanya Burnett, Black Caucus president, who asked them to name the demands stated by black protesters after the Telecommunications Building sit-in and state which one was the most important.

Randi Rubin, running mate of Tim Webb, listed only mandatory black and women's studies courses, which she said are important goals that her administration intends to work for.

Rubin said she would establish a program geared toward interviewing departing minority students to determine their reasons for leaving the University. This program could help minority recruiting and retention at the University, she said. She proposed mandatory seminars on racism, sexism and homophobia to improve the University environment for the groups.

Pauline Connolly, running with James Marino, cited the creation of a new black cultural center as the most important of the demands. She proposed renovating the existing Paul Robeson Cultural Center because it is an important need of the University.

Jeff Ballou, running mate of Kendall Houk, cited many of the protesters' demands, saying cultural diversity is the most essential. His administration intends to push for mandatory black studies courses, expanding the cultural center, minority retention and increasing the number of blacks in the University's faculty and staff.

Bill Novick, running with Janyne Althaus, could not name any of the black student's demands, but responded, "I'll work with (Black Caucus) to get your demands."

Novick's administration would also represent the needs of black students to the administration, he said.

Panelist Mike Mobley, director of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance, questioned the candidates on the possibility of incorporating "sexual orientation" into the University's non-discrimination policy.

Rubin said she favored expanding the non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. She said she would encourage the University and State College Mayor Arnold Addisson to change current policy in support of lesbian and gay demands. Rubin also said she favored establishing a toll-free hotline for lesbian and gay concerns.

Connolly said her ticket "strongly" supported including sexual orientation in the University's non-discrimination clause. Education through discussions and conferences are needed to inform students about the dangers of intolerance, she said.

A change in the non-discrimination policy is needed, said Ballou. He also suggested establishing courses that examine issues effecting the lesbian and gay community.

Novick said his administration would lobby the State College Borough Council to accept sexual orientation as an ordinance. His administration would then ask the University to join in incorporating sexual orientation into the non-discrimination policy.

Panelist Michelle Harmon, president of the Student Organization Budget Committee, asked the candidates about the idea of a student activities fee. Under this plan, a small fee would be taken from every student's tuition and donated directly toward student activities.

Rubin said she saw the need for unity among student organizations to establish a better activities appropriations fund.

Connolly said her administration's first priority would be student services. USG must show the administration that students are united in their demand for student services, she said.

A student activities fee is unnecessary if the budget were opened, said Ballou. An open budget would allow the University to redirect funding toward student activities, he said.

The need for more scholarships, grants and loans is currently an important problem facing the University, Novick said. His administration would lobby in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., in a push for increased academic funding, he said.