Penn State University Police are investigating an alleged incident in which an unknown male shouted racial slurs and homophobic remarks at a passerby outside Beaver Hall.

Black Caucus President Ed Smith, who said he was passing by the dorm at the time of the incident, said he was the target of the alleged remarks.

Police Supervisor Tyrone Parham could not confirm whether Smith was the target because of the department's confidentiality policy.

Smith said the individual threatened to lynch him and "to whip the skin off his back."

"Those are threats on my life, more than derogatory statements -- that's assault," he said.

In response to the incident, Black Caucus has scheduled a press conference for noon today on the HUB-Robeson Center ground floor. A discussion is also scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow in 322 HUB.

According to police, the suspect was yelling from the building's fourth floor, on the southeast side of the building, shortly after midnight Thursday.

Parham said the incident is still under investigation and is being considered disorderly conduct and harassment, but could qualify as terroristic threats and ethnic intimidation.

Assistant Police Supervisor Brian Bittner said police hope someone will identify the individual responsible for yelling the racial slurs.

"This is a very serious matter ... because we are here to help provide a safe environment for everyone attending the university," he said.

Undergraduate Student Government Multicultural Affairs Director Mark Bagley said he called the police after Smith informed him of the alleged incident.

The two had attended a meeting at the HUB minutes before the incident and Bagley, who was outside of McDonald's, 442 E. College Ave., found Smith immediately after hearing about the incident.

Beaver Hall resident and Allies President Christy Merchant, who was in the building at the time, said Bagley called her and informed her about the incident, at which point she met with Bagley and Smith outside the building. The three remained outside Beaver Hall, while the shouting continued until police arrived.

"I think it's horrible and I also think it's not surprising," Merchant said. "Things like this happen a lot; it doesn't seem like a lot is being done about it."

Police Supervisor Dwight Smith said a similar incident occurred Wednesday near the third floor of Porter Hall, also in Pollock Halls. Interviews in the investigation indicate similar incidents occurred throughout the past two weeks near Porter and Beaver Halls, he added.

Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS) President Travis Burke said ARHS is taking active steps as a result of the incident to plan diversity and safety programs for students, to promote unity.

Burke said about 10 student groups have responded to a letter sent to student organization presidents asking for support with diversity initiatives.

"[The goal is] to educate students outside the classroom," he said. "... They [can] become knowledgeable and familiar with different groups."

Bagley said this is not an isolated incident and it is important to find the person responsible.

"This kid is just part of the system -- it's the same kid that will do this five years from now," Bagley said. "It's a system we have to fight and let him know that you have to be held accountable for calling these names."

In a statement released yesterday, Black Caucus Vice President Gandarvaka Gray said the noon press conference will address the group's belief that the university has failed to address concerns regarding on-campus racism.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the university acted immediately with several resources, including increased security.

"[Gray is] making broad generalizations without saying anything specific," he said. "... Those kind of responses are a given at Penn State."

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Penn State University Police by calling 863-1111 or through the silent witness program, at http://www.psu.edu/dept/police.