In a climactic end to the final Undergraduate Student Government president/vice-presidential debate, hopefuls Tony Dutzik/Kelly Glazier withdrew from the race and gave their support to another ticket.

"We urge everyone who was going to support us and everyone who cares about Penn State to elect Brad Haartz and Doug DeLong," Glazier said.

Glazier said she and Dutzik considered withdrawing this weekend and decided last night that if the Haartz/DeLong ticket received endorsement from The Daily Collegian they would also add their support.

"Only Brad and Doug have a commitment to the students and it's not a popularity game with them," she said. "They have the experience and they know how to get things done."

Earlier in the debate, following the opening statement of J.P. Muir/Sue Williams, nearly 150 supporters walked out applauding and yelling.

"We wanted to demonstrate that there were 36,000 students that were not aware or interested in the debate for USG," Muir said. "We want our supporters to talk to students and get feedback during the four hours while Sue and I are debating."

Muir also said that the debate is a "regurgitation" of ideas and platform goals that have already been voiced.

Debates and Publicity Commissioner Wendy Goldstein called the walk-out rude and disrespectful.

"I think he made no point and he disrupted the process," Goldstein said.

"He should have told the 36,000 people about the debate rather than condemning them for not showing up," she added.

Haartz said he was informed yesterday morning of his running mates' decision to withdraw.

The eight tickets answered questions from a panel of student leaders and the audience during this final debate. Elections are tomorrow.

All candidates agreed that the racial climate at the University needs improvement.

Presidential candidate Alistair Rae said his administration would work to represent all students at the University.

"While I myself am not black it would be my responsibility to see that all student voices are heard," Rae said.

Vice-presidential candidate Drew Maerz called the climate at Penn State and Centre County a "mono-culture" and added that the University has not acted swiftly to correct this lack of diversity.

"We're tired of talk from the administration and its time for them to do some walking and some changing," Maerz said.

Presidential hopeful James Whitehead said that through personal experiences he has been able to change his views and beliefs.

"I've seen what happens through education and contact with minorities," he said.

Addressing the recent decision to remove the course Hebrew 10 from a list of other culture requirements, presidential candidate Jim Van Horn said: "It is not a step in the right direction to start getting rid of religious studies classes."

Presidential hopeful Eric Epp said that diversity requirements should not focus on just one religion.

"Not only do we think that Jewish studies should be included in the diversity requirement, we believe that all religions should be included," Epp said.