In light of recent events at Penn State such as Sex Faire and last weekend's riots, President Graham Spanier addressed the University Faculty Senate concerning issues of violence and freedom of speech during yesterday's meeting.

Spanier addressed the riots that took place on Beaver Avenue after the Penn State-Temple basketball game Friday night.

Spanier said Penn State must live up to what is stated in the Penn State Alma Mater; "may no act of ours bring us shame."

"There was no purpose for the post-game riot," said Spanier.

"That behavior is not acceptable," he added.

In addition, Spanier cited the necessity for police involvement with the "rapidly deteriorating public safety" of the riot.

He called for the State College Borough Council, apartment owners and students to come together and decide how to deal with such public disturbance situations as a community.

One faculty member suggested redesigning Beaver Canyon in the effort to alleviate some of the elements adding to the incidents.

Spanier agreed saying, "The ambiance of that area does contribute to the problem."

Spanier said he will be further looking into ways to discourage future aggression in the Penn State community.

"Through better dialogue, open communication with students, we must do this so that it can help everyone," Spanier said.

One resolution made and unanimously approved by the senate was to commend Spanier for his recent defense of free speech.

The senate approved Spanier's response to statements about Sex Faire and Cuntfest made by Rep. John Lawless, R-Montgomery, at the House Appropriations Committee meeting last month.

Lawless threatened Penn State's funding because of what he called the offensive nature of the activities, which were both sponsored by Womyn's Concerns.

Spanier expressed appreciation for the resolution.

He also discussed recent university controversies.

"We walk a delicate line between concerns of members of the community and free speech," he said during the address.

The other resolution, presented by John S. Nichols, reaffirmed the action taken by the senate council.

It states that the essential purpose of a university is the pursuit of knowledge "discovered through he intellectual process of critically examining the merits of the full range of alternatives competing in a free marketplace of ideas."

It also includes that free speech conveys with it the responsibility to use good judgement in its practice.