Students expressed mixed reactions over the university investigation that concluded that women's basketball coach Rene Portland discriminated against a former player, requiring the coach pay a $10,000 fine.

Following the announcement at a press conference yesterday, Allies President Ed Rowe questioned Portland and demanded a public apology as she left the room. After being pushed away by athletic department officials, Rowe expressed visible disappointment and yelled in frustration.

"Rene Portland history's is a 21-year history of discrimination, and as a person who believes everyone should be treated fairly, I get very angry at bigotry," Rowe said in a phone interview.

Rowe said he felt surprised the university admitted there was a problem with Portland's conduct.

"The university has stuck its fingers in its ears for over two decades," he said. "It's good they finally admitted they have a problem. [Penn State President Graham] Spanier's recommendations are an OK first step."

Rowe said he would like to see Portland removed as head coach.

"There's no question she should be fired," he said. "Anything short of termination is discouraging."

Young Americans for Freedom President Shauna Moser said she wanted to see the evidence against Portland and never read anything that convinced her of Portland's guilt.

"It's well within her First Amendment right to say she disapproves of homosexuality, but she should keep it out of her coaching," Moser said

Although the university needs to take action, Moser said monetary fines aren't effective for changing people's behavior.

Some students approve of how the university handled the situation.

"Rene's a great lady, and she's done great things for women's basketball," Sean Cooney (senior-information science and technology) said. "But discriminating against someone's sexual preference is wrong. I'm glad Penn State handled the situation like they did and didn't kick her off the team."

Dana Del Conte (senior-communication sciences and disorders) said she felt the fines are a warning for Portland to change her behavior.

Other students said they wanted to see Penn State take a stronger stance and expected to see Portland removed as the coach.

"She probably should've been released," Sean Cochran (freshman-environmental resource management) said. "The fines aren't enough of a penalty."

Andy Branch (senior-political science and journalism) said this was a bad public relations move.

"Every type of discrimination should be treated equally," he said. "The university promotes gay rights but keeps someone on the payroll who discriminates against gays. I expected the university to fire her if they found her guilty."

Mike Delo (senior-education) said he wanted to see Portland removed.

"She should not be given preferential treatment because she's the basketball coach," he said. "The university should take a stronger stance because we're a higher education institution and shouldn't endorse discrimination."

Sean McGonigle (junior-biology) said he was glad the university found sufficient evidence for a sexual discrimination claim.

"The charges are pretty serious, and I would've expected her to be forced to resign," he said.

Women's basketball team officials refused further comment on the investigation yesterday.

Rowe wore a black Daily Collegian sweatshirt yesterday, but he said he wears the sweatshirt a couple of times a week and was not acting as a reporter. Rowe is a former Daily Collegian reporter.