Penn State released an official response yesterday to last week's anti-discrimination sit-in at Old Main, saying the university is dedicated to promoting a tolerant climate on campus.

Members of SpeakOUT, UnderTones and the Black Caucus stormed Old Main Friday, protesting what they say is a hostile climate for minority and gay students on campus that needs to be addressed by the university. They later met with Vicky Triponey, vice president for student affairs, and Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity, in a closed meeting to discuss the issues. After that meeting, members of the groups said they felt nothing had been accomplished.

The statement by the university yesterday said Penn State is "unalterably committed" to diversity and tolerance efforts on campus.

"We most certainly will and do hold members of this community accountable when they are found responsible for violations of our policies regarding discrimination. Additionally, we are resolved to continue our extensive efforts to promote equity and educate our community about racism, homophobia, intolerance, insensitivity and discrimination," the statement read.

Christina Swomley, president of SpeakOUT, said she hadn't thoroughly read the university's statement and would not comment on behalf of SpeakOUT until tomorrow.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the university wants the protesting groups and other students to know that the university has been taking steps to increase diversity and reduce intolerance.

"The group expressed some general concerns, and in addition to meeting with them we thought it would be helpful to put our response in writing so they could see the big picture," Mahon said.

The statement also cites several actions the university says it has taken to create a more tolerant campus climate. These actions include the adoption of diversity requirements as part of the general education curriculum, ongoing efforts to promote affirmative action in employment searches, formalization of partner benefits for employees and the addition of Gender Identity in Penn State's nondiscrimination clause.

Mahon said these and the other actions and university policies discussed in the statement are ongoing.

The protest came in response to the discrimination lawsuit settlement between Penn State officials and former women's basketball player Jen Harris.

Harris filed a lawsuit two years ago against women's basketball coach Rene Portland, Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and Penn State after she was dismissed from the team. She sued for discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender and race. The terms of the lawsuit settlement have not been released.