In light of the recent lawsuit filed against Penn State for alleged discrimination, the University Faculty Senate reaffirmed the university's nondiscrimination policy yesterday.

Senate Chairman Jamie Myers said yesterday's discussion spawned from the lawsuit filed by former Lady Lions player Jen Harris, who alleged coach Rene Portland discriminated against her on the basis of gender, race and sexual orientation.

The university's legal counsel filed a brief in early February stating that the nondiscrimination policy was not a legally binding contract. Nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been included in the policy since the Board of Trustees approved the University Faculty Senate motion in 1991.

Penn State President Graham Spanier said the university is committed to its nondiscrimination policy.

"Our commitment to enforcing university policies is very strong," he said. "There are few things I feel as passionately about."

Myers added that the university fully supports its current policies and would dismiss an employee who failed to adhere to the policies. The Office of Affirmative Action is currently in the process of investigating the allegations made against Portland.

Eric Patridge, a co-director for the coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) graduate students, voiced concern at the meeting about the climate of fear that exists at Penn State among the LGBTA community.

"Many of them feel silenced," Patridge said, adding that many closed-door meetings have occurred, but nothing has been brought into the open.

Patridge said he questions the willingness and ability of the university to enforce its policy of nondiscrimination.

He said he wants to "see the university start making more ethical decisions and help foster open communication so the community can have a shared sense of reality."

Myers said Patridge made excellent points about respect for people's differences, but the university reaffirms its support of its policies.

"The Senate is unwavering in its support, and we'll continue to think about ways we can enhance the campus climate," he said.

A movement was also passed at the meeting to establish a new Senate standing committee, called the Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment.

This committee will recommend policies, advise the university on activities to improve the educational equity of the university, and ensure that diversity and equity issues are integrated into the Senate's deliberations.

Spanier also addressed some concerns for on-campus housing, noting that living in residence halls has become very popular.

He said that because the cost of new housing is so steep, the university plans to build additional housing structures gradually and modestly and that plans are mostly to refurbish older housing buildings.

However, the problem with refurbishing old buildings is that they can't be used during the restructuring, and they usually end up with fewer rooms than they had originally because of how they are reconfigured, Spanier said.

He added that applications to Penn State are up more than 12 percent from last year, and the number of people who have confirmed their acceptance is even higher.

Admission to University Park has now been closed, he said.