Respect. The first line in the Penn State Principles, those simple yet deep words that each of us had drilled into our minds at freshman orientation, states: "I will respect the dignity of all individuals within the Penn State community." It continues: "I will demonstrate respect for others by striving to learn from the differences between people, ideas and opinions, and by avoiding behaviors that inhibit the ability of other community members to feel safe or welcome as they pursue their academic goals."

Imagine then what it must have felt like for a Muslim student to wake up one day, walk to class and notice the campus being filled with flyers portraying a Muslim, on whose forehead the phrase, "I am a killer," appears?

Looking closely at the flyer, this student notices that this is an exhibit about the "faces of terror."

How unfortunate is it then that so often words promoting hate, intolerance and prejudice are cloaked under the garb of free speech. Someone will draw a swastika on a synagogue door. Another will burn a cross in front of a black man's home. And yet another will draw a vicious caricature portraying all Muslims as terrorists. The perpetrators behind all of these actions will say they are exercising their right to freedom of speech.

Yet, to most of us, the line between our own personal civil liberties and those of others is usually clear.

We understand and recognize that there is a line between one person or group of people's freedom of expression and expression that, even if unintentionally, comes at the significant expense of another.

It's a blurry subject in many situations, but when the situation is one where a large company or organization, such as a university, comes into play, the guidelines become significantly clearer. Such institutions won't use or support the use of the "n-word" or support a musician whose concert revolves around the ideas that Jews are an evil breed of people. Equally, such an institution shouldn't support an art exhibit that juxtaposes portraits of Muslims and Arabs as terrorists with paintings of Holocaust imagery.

In today's post-Sept. 11 world, it's not too hard to stir up feelings of fear and hatred, particularly against those who are associated in some way, shape or form with the Middle East. It is important, now more than ever, that we always consider others when trying to make a point.

In a scholastic setting as diverse as Penn State, we would be especially ignorant to think that we can promote understanding and education while offending and insulting each other. Instead, as people of the world, we should use our talents and privileges to do good and spread understanding rather than the opposite.

It is not an issue of whether we have the right to express ourselves or not, because those rights are already well respected and understood. It is an issue of tolerance, respect, and understanding that a better goal is worth concentrating on: peace.