Security policies at campus events are "discriminatory practices," the president of the Penn State chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Tuesday.

To address this issue, Ervan Dickens (sophomore-psychology and sociology) invited representatives from the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Division of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Student Government to meet tomorrow to discuss it.

Dickens said that while security guards and metal detectors are required at "minority events," such as National Panhellenic Council dances, they are not present at other events of similar size and nature.

Dickens said a rock concert in HUB Alumni Hall last weekend did not have security, but that same night, three officers guarded a NPHC dance in HUB Heritage Hall with fewer attendees.

"If it is done for one group, it should be done for all," Dickens said.

NPHC Secretary Darlene James said her main concern is that the policy is inconsistent.

Robert Brouse, manager of information and event management, said attendance is considered when event management decides how many officers -- if any -- will be present. However, he said there is no set formula and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Dickens said security guards and metal detectors were not required at events before Nov. 3, when police reported a fight and a firearm discharged near the HUB-Robeson

Center after an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority event that took place at the facility.

NPHC President Christopher Chambers said this is the only such incident that has ever occurred at an NPHC dance. He said people who are not normally at the university were in attendance because it was homecoming weekend.

"That one occurrence in no way justifies the use of metal detection and additional security at minority events," Dickens said.

Chambers said because there is not a set policy, the practice can be discriminatory.

"It's like totalitarianism in a democratic society," he said. "Things must be written down."

Michael Hannon, assistant director of the Robeson Center, said safety is a concern regardless of who is sponsoring the event.

"The NAACP should understand that safety is the biggest issue, not imposing rules on some groups over others," Hannon said.

On the use of metal detectors, Paul Sneath, supervisor of the security and traffic unit of Penn State Police Services, said Penn State police do not own the devices and they are not involved with the use of them at Robeson Center events.

Lawrence Young, director of the Robeson Center, said the detectors were purchased by and are property of the center.

"This way the university can say, 'we tried to take precautions to keep it safe,' " Young said.

The Robeson Center staff decides which events in the center will use detectors and the group is not charged.

Though organizations are not charged for the use of metal detectors, Chambers said the devices create an uncomfortable atmosphere and the resulting drop in attendance decreases the groups' funds from admission.

Tanishia Lawson (senior-food science), treasurer of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, said attendance at her group's events has decreased significantly because of heightened security.

Dickens said it is ironic that Young is the person requiring detectors because he is supposed to be the support for multiculturalism on campus.

Hannon said Robeson Center events have high risk because attendees often consume alcohol prior to arriving.

"People come in having had drinks and can get violent and confrontational," Hannon said.

The dances are open to the public, which Young said is also a factor.

Police supervisor Clifford Lutz said a group's history of bringing in people from outside the community is considered when determining security.

James said the same people who attend NPHC parties in HUB Heritage Hall could walk into other events in the HUB-Robeson Center without presenting a student ID or passing through metal detectors.

Dickens said the NAACP would agree to require a student ID for admission.

"Anything is a better alternative than the hassle of metal detectors and the cost of security," Dickens said.

Groups are charged per officer and per hour for security, which Dickens said totals from $150 to $300 for each event. James said some NPHC organizations have cancelled events because they could not afford officers.

While groups can include security costs when requesting funding from the University Park Allocation Committee for their events, Dickens said, the required confirmation from events management is usually not received in time to apply for funds. He said that regardless of who pays, the money is wasted.