A group of Penn State students was targeted Friday, but everyone at the university has suffered.

A black Penn State student leader received a typed death threat letter Friday, which also threatened the entire black community here at the university.

The letter also claimed that a young black man had been killed and left in a wooded area.

The Penn State Black Caucus held a press conference Friday night to discuss these attacks and warn students to be aware.

They presented a front of strength and unity despite in the face of everything that has happened.

Several top administrators were in attendance, including Penn State President Graham Spanier, who left business in Harrisburg to discuss these issues.

Penn State needs to continually support Black Caucus and the student who was targeted by the threat. Police services and the FBI also need to devote all available energies to finding the person responsible.

Though some have attacked the university for what they believe is a lack of adequate response, Penn State police have acted as much as its resources have allowed it, working with local law enforcement and the FBI to find the person responsible for these acts. The Alumni Association has offered to double the original reward amount of $5,000 to $10,000 for information that would lead to the arrest of the person who sent the threat. But while these efforts are in reaction to the hate letter, more needs to be done to prevent attitudes that allow hateful acts to happen.

People in this community need to look within themselves and honestly reassess their prejudices and their biases. It is unfortunate that a Penn State crowd booed and at times, yelled racial slurs at the students who took the field in protest of Penn State's handling of the death threats.

It may only be one person sending death threats, but we needs to realize that there is an atmosphere of hate here.

During the past few weeks, there has been evidence of hate throughout the university. Aside from the hate letters sent to black community members, we've also seen reports of racial slurs yelled to students in East Halls. We've seen a swastika placed on a student's door We've seen students consistently undermining many of the racial incidents compiled by black student leaders and printed in The Daily Collegian.

Penn State cannot and will not stand for this ignorance. It is an educational institution and it needs to actively teach students lessons in diversity.

The university should examine its FTCAP program to include more diversity issues for freshman as they prepare to enter this community. It should also either add more diversity classes or revise its curriculum to truly address the racial tensions at this university.

Students also need somewhere to turn when something like a death threat appears in the mail. Penn State should make resources available or more visible for such an event. It is unfortunate that planning like this needs to be developed, but we must no longer pretend that hate doesn't exist.

A rally will be held 4 p.m. tomorrow at the steps of Old Main and all those who can attend should certainly do so. Professors should also allow students out of class to attend this public demonstration of solidarity.

Students who want to show their support should attend the rally tomorrow.