Although Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon mentions an important step the administration has taken to improve the campus climate for marginalized students, his comments are typical of the administration's lack of a complete and adequate effort to address the problem. Yes, it is great that they have "redoubled" their efforts to increase minority enrollment, but what about their efforts to increase the hiring of minority faculty members? Why is it that only 14 percent of the faculty are minorities? Why do so many faculty of color leave Penn State after a short tenure here? The university must understand that simply increasing the number of minority students on campus is only one small step to improve campus climate.

It must also be understand that increasing the number of minority faculty who only teach in the African American Studies Department is not solving the problem.

All Penn State students need to interact with successful faculty and staff members of color and minority students need supportive role models who come from similar backgrounds and situations.