In universities across the nation, well-intentioned efforts to quell the tides of racism, sexism and homophobia have infringed upon free speech.

But Penn State has reinforced the essential commitment to the First Amendment by revising its Acts of Intolerance policy to specifically include free speech. Though not all expressions are constructive or appealing, the fundamental right to vocalize any opinion must be maintained to prevent groups in power from dictating views.

The revision ensures students will not be disciplined for expounding on an unpopular or intolerant idea. These words can still be reported and criticized, but not punished. Previous versions of the clause did not address free speech.

The new policy will not place increased burdens on victims of harassment because the University still guards against harassment --defined as the subjection of a group or individual to physical harm or alarming them of that threat --under a separate code of conduct.

Universities such as Michigan and Tufts have tried to fight intolerant attitudes by restricting free speech. While the intent behind these restrictions may have been good, the resulting infringement certainly was not.

A Michigan rule disciplined students for publicly posting racially derogatory fliers or telling ethnic jokes in public forums. At Tufts, university officials banned some forms of offensive speech in shared spaces such as classrooms and libraries.

A court ruling in Michigan and student outcry at Tufts helped to preserve free speech on those campuses. Denying students the right to state their views contradicts a university's very purpose of providing a forum for open discussion about ideas.

As the Michigan and Tufts' examples show, many types of free speech promote hatred. Last year, University student James Whitehead transmitted a message across an international computer network titled "Why should one kill homosexuals?" This threat reduced gay men and lesbians to a subhuman state and represented an irrational fear of those groups.

Such statements need to be aired, however, so people can respond to those points of view. Pushing opinions underground does not end racism, sexism or homophobia.

One of the many duties of a university is to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas. Revision of the University's policy will help to foster this process.

Administrators have tried to balance the delicate issues of free speech and minority concerns. Revising the Acts of Intolerance policy to reflect this balance was a wise move.