On several occassions the Collegian editorial writers have criticized the University for not dismissing a student who wrote a computer message advocating that a group of people be killed. Repeatedly, the Collegian has written that this computer message was not a matter of free speech and that Penn State officials were contributing to an inhospitable climate on campus by not punishing the student more severely for his actions.

With that background in mind, it surprised us, to say the least, to see a staff column in the Collegian on Jan. 28 that advocates large scale interracial violence. The newspaper seems to have a cavalier "do as I say, not as I do" attitude toward its readers.

The editors of the newspaper have a significant effect on the climate for diversity on this campus. This means that they have the responsibility to apply the same standards to the content of the Collegian that they demand of the administration.

Unfortunately, the Collegian frequently does not cover the scores of programs taking place on this and other campuses that advance the issues of understanding between cultures and races.

More serious coverage of the University's diversity programs would go a long way toward advancing student understanding of these critical issues.

Thousands of people take part in these programs, but there is virtually no Collegian coverage unless a controversial or critical angle can be developed.

The editorial staff of the Collegian can make a significant contribution toward multicultural understanding by exercising their right to keep such hate writing out of its columns.