Penn State community members who feel they have been the victims of intolerance now can turn to the Zero Tolerance for Hate Support Network for assistance.

Modeled after the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Support Nework, which has about 350 members, the new network was developed at the end of last semester to help members of the community who experience any form of discrimination.

The new network will work with individuals who experience problems based on age, ancestry, color, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or handicap.

Creators of the network have developed a symbol — a circle of multicolored hands — that will be printed on posters and stickers and placed throughout the school.

Members of the network, who will wear or display the symbol, can be approached by anyone with concerns about intolerance.

Erik Malewski, network liaison in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, said he hopes the network will create an environment where help will be available in all parts of campus.

"You could be anywhere on campus and know there is someone there who is comfortable talking about the issues," he said.

Malewski developed the network in response to recent acts of intolerance in the State College area. Last year, several Penn State student leaders and athletes and at least one Penn State administrator received racially charged hate mail.

"For the past decade or so, the university community has been dealing with various acts of intolerance and has been engaged in ongoing discussions and dialogue, but awareness has been heightened among students over the last two years with specific incidents," he said.

Malewski said one of the main goals of the network will be to provide an outlet for community members who want to be involved in the fight against intolerance but feel helpless.

"It's a way for people to become active participants," he said.

Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity, said, "There are hundreds of diversity advocates at Penn State, and this network will help create those connections needed for diverse people."

Applications for the network are now available at www.equity.psu.edu/zero. Penn State students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to apply.

All members are admitted to the network by a community review team and are given an informational brochure as a training tool.

Malewski stressed that network members are not necessarily counselors, but would provide a support group for the community.

"By the time they read the packet, they should be pretty comfortable with the issues," he said.

Marcus Whitehurst, director of the Multicultural Resource Center, joined the network and hung a sign of the logo in his office.

"It serves as a symbol of our commitment to a zero tolerance to hate standard in our community," Whitehurst said.

Network members would be knowledgeable about the various resources available to students at Penn State and would be available to talk about the issues that matter to diversity community.

"Creating and maintaining a supportive environment takes more than just a village; at Penn State, it takes whole communities working together," Jones said.