HARRISBURG — Several Penn State students met with black legislative leaders yesterday to seek help in improving the university's racial climate.

Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, told fellow members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee it is frustrating to see hate acts continuing at the university.

"This state is much more diverse than it was 10 years ago," Hughes said. "And folks are going to have to get with it that diversity is reality."

Penn State President Graham Spanier, answering Hughes' questions, said he shares the concerns about racial climate, calling it a "continuing challenge."

"We've been spending a lot of time on this," Spanier said.

Black student leaders who attended the hearing said they continue to meet with the university administration and faculty members.

"We're making progress," said Chenits Pettigrew (senior-media studies), but he said he felt the meetings in Harrisburg were not a complete success.

The students did succeed in weaving racial topics into a hearing usually dominated by questions about Penn State's involvement in agriculture and technology.

"Rarely do we hear the benefits of bringing 10 percent of the population of the commonwealth to a level where they are productive citizens," said Takkeem Morgan (freshman-speech communications), vice president-elect of the Penn State Black Caucus.

Morgan mentioned the legislators' apparent lack of interest in researching how to help Pennsylvania's largely minority prison population.

Students brought with them a binder filled with material about hate incidents at the university.

The packet includes about 200 written testimonials about racial incidents compiled by members of the Penn State Black Caucus. The incidents were reported by students, who are listed with last names blacked out.

Hughes read parts of the racist death threats that several students received last year to the appropriations committee. He used the word "blank" in place of the racial slurs and profanity.

"It blanks me off . . . that we have to continue to confront these issues in what is supposed to be a progressive and enlightened university," Hughes said.

At the suggestion of the committee leadership, Hughes entered the material into the legislative record and encouraged other lawmakers to read it. Spanier also promised to send a letter to the committee within 40 days updating them on Penn State's progress in racial matters.

Students planned to visit the House Appropriations Committee today.

Racial issues, a concern at Penn State for many years, drew a large amount of attention last semester after several reported incidents of racial hatred on campus.

Students continue to meet with faculty leadership to ask for more diversity instruction, including an expansion of the African and African-American Studies department.