We have been avid supporters of Penn State women's basketball during the past two seasons. Not only has it been great fun to watch a team that plays well together, it is nice to see that so many team members get playing time; a true "team" rather than five or six players and 10 or so bench-sitters. As a team, they are deserving of much praise for hard work and outstanding performance.

However, we were hurt and disappointed after reading recent accounts of Rene Portland's policy concerning the sexual orientation of athletes.

Mass media reports indicate that Portland discriminates against Penn State students, or potential Penn State students, who are homosexual.

We suggest that University students, faculty and staff members boycott Penn State intercollegiate athletic activities until it is clear that discriminatory practices are eliminated from all of those activities.

If any representative of Penn State, including an athletic coach, is engaging in the administration of policies of hatred, then the University community has a responsibility to censure those policies.

An institution of higher learning should foster an environment free of hatred and fear, recognizing the inherent worth of each individual, rather than to facilitate oppression.