Members of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate said last night that the campus climate at Penn State is not welcoming to minorities, citing recent events.

In his weekly address to the Senate, USG President Galen Foulke talked about Chris Kovalchick's letter printed in The Daily Collegian last Thursday, which expressed negative views about the gay community. He also discussed the racist and homophobic speech yelled out of Beaver Hall at bystanders the same night. Foulke said while it may not have incited the racist remarks heard on Thursday night, the letter never should have been printed in the Collegian.

"It is fine to spark controversy, but a newspaper is an unbiased, objective source," Foulke said, "and it sends this message that it is OK to talk like this."

USG Multicultural Affairs Director Mark Bagley said these incidents lead to bigger things and create a culture that accepts such displays.

"This is a cycle and these things are indicators," Bagley said.

Pollock/Nittany Sen. Eddie Fisher said the best way to fight this incident was with words and not violence.

"Penn State is really polarized," Fisher said. "You can't scream in someone's face. There are more intellectual ways to fight this problem."

East Halls Sen. Keith Crouse said he agreed with Fisher's words.

"Don't denounce the person, denounce their words," Crouse said.

Vice President of Student Affairs Vicky Triponey also attended the open student forum to ask the Senate their opinions on the limitations and successes of the whole student experience at Penn State.

She said Penn State's administration is not as connected to the student voice as she has observed at other colleges and universities.

"I want to see more work with more organizations," Triponey said. "The first conversation should not be in the middle of a crisis."

Senators asked questions about tuition, the campus climate, freshmen's transition to college, and diversity and minority training.

Triponey said after some administrative changes in student affairs, the new focus will be on student engagement.

"We want to find a way to make your voice more powerful, and I want to help my colleagues believe that your voice represents the student body," she said.

The senators also discussed the positive aspects of Penn State, including the involvement of student groups, the variety of educational opportunities and Penn State school spirit.

Foulke said he supported Triponey's efforts to connect the student body and the administration.

"A lot can be accomplished in five minutes of sitting down and talking," he said.