Allies held a town hall discussion last night in HUB Heritage Hall so students, faculty, staff and community members could express their opinions of the campus climate.

In front of about 60 people, students voiced their thoughts about Chris Kovalchick's letter to the editor published Feb. 17 in The Daily Collegian, which expressed negative views toward the gay community, and the alleged homophobic and racist remarks yelled at bystanders outside Beaver Hall the same night.

The discussion focused on actions the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) community can take to improve the Penn State climate and the role of the administration should play in this affair.

Many students said they were upset about the administration's lack of action toward the racism and homophobia present in recent weeks.

Darryl Watson (sophomore-sociology) said the "half-assed" response by the administration marginalizes the feelings and position of the minorities on campus.

"If I am spending $20,000 a year, I want to be treated with respect," he said. "I don't want to sit still."

Other students said relying on the administration to fix the problem is not the answer.

"We can look to the administration, but we have to protect ourselves," Julie Lathia (senior-economics) said. "When we go out to the real world we are our own keeper."

Vicky Triponey, vice president for student affairs; Thomas Poole, assistant vice provost for educational equity; Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equality and other administrators were in attendance, though most chose not to address the students.

Poole said the administrators were present to listen and learn tonight.

Coordinator of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Equity Sue Rankin said students' anger toward the administrators was counterproductive.

"We are spewing the same kind of hate to each other," she said. "You don't have to curb your anger, but curb your words."

Students also addressed the actions needed to create a more tolerant Penn State, including implementing a queer minor, an LGBTA floor in the residence halls and a diversity informational packet at freshman orientation.

Everyone present agreed that "hate speech" should not be tolerated.

"Because of my sexual orientation, I am a second-class citizen," Robey Patrick (graduate-spanish literature) said. "This is a big, big problem."

The meeting disbanded at 10 p.m. so HUB workers could prepare the room for the next day. Many students stayed to talk to Allies leaders about the meeting.

Co-president of the Coalition for LGBTA Graduate Students Eric Patridge, who was also the moderator of the event, said he had hoped for a larger turnout.

Allies President Christy Merchant said although this is mostly about the students, the Penn State administration needs to realize that changes are necessary.

"They need to be vocal and join with us, and they need to do it now," she said.