Though many students were hesitant to voice their opinions in the HUB-Robeson Center, they gradually approached the microphone and spoke up about issues on campus.

In this year's first Perspective Mic, a forum that allows students to discuss university issues, students talked about topics relating to stereotypes and the racial climate on campus.

"People are squeamish to get in front of a microphone, but we need to start talking about uncomfortable issues and start thinking outside the box," said Ace Ekhtiarzadeh, founder and head of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) social awareness committee.

Perspective Mic, started by students in spring 2002, was the first event run by the new committee, which was formed to expand students' education beyond the classroom, Ekhtiarzadeh said. The topic for yesterday's discussion was the image and stereotypes of Penn State -- what 'We are ... Penn State' really means.

"A Penn State education is more than creating skilled workers -- it is about creating empowered citizens," Ekhtiarzadeh said. Perspective Mic allows students to be "producers, not consumers" of their education, he added.

USG President Galen Foulke said the forum is important to start a dialogue on campus.

"While it affects a relatively small number of people, these conversations are infectious," Foulke said. "This is another way to vocalize thoughts and get feedback."

Drew Zaitsoff (junior-psychology) said being a Penn State student can mean ignoring negativity on campus.

"We are Penn State, and we don't care as long as we don't have to look at it," he said.

The discussion slowly turned to the recent alleged racist remarks on campus and homophobic remarks in opinion letters to The Daily Collegian.

Jay Bundy (freshman-liberal arts) said racism has been present on the Penn State campus since it was founded, and students need to pressure administrators and fellow students and to change this.

"We have to start somewhere," he said. "Next time you hear something stupid, challenge that person to think about what they are saying."

In response to some stereotypical comments about the South's conservatism, Adams LaBorde (junior-mathematics) said Southerners face discrimination similar to what minorities face.

"That is the type of language you can't have in this type of discussion," he said.

Political correctness was also a sensitive subject with some students.

"Instead of solving problems, we created political correctness," Jen Snukis (senior-animal bioscience) said. "Diversity is only good when people talk with each other."

Social Awareness committee member Ed Rowe said to increase student participation, the committee is looking to move Perspective Mic closer to the HUB big-screen televisions.

"At first, it was really depressing that so few showed up and so few wanted to speak," Rowe said. "If we were to put it out by the big screen [TV], the audience would grow by virtue of the location."

Though no date has been set for the next Perspective Mic, the next topic will be the value of a Penn State education, focusing on issues like the rising tuition.

Ekhtiarzadeh added that he plans to ask administrators and student leaders to attend the student forum to amplify the student voice.