University responds to College Republicans' acts

In response to a controversial Web site showing photographs of a party involving several members of the College Republicans at Penn State, University administrators have taken a number of initiatives over the past several days.

On the day the Web site was discovered, University officials sent a message to the chairman of the student organization, Brian Battaglia, asking him voluntarily to remove the photos of party goers in KKK costumes, blackface and other distasteful images, and to apologize.

The group removed the photos, but their president has since defended his free speech rights to have such a party theme and Web site and has said that those who want to stifle that free speech are leftist radicals. In fact, University officials have heard from many Republican leaders and a broad range of community members who believe the student behavior, conducted in an off-campus apartment, and the private Web site was very inappropriate. The stated opinion of the president of the College Republicans is clearly in the minority.

Since this issue developed, University administrators have met with undergraduate student government leaders and with students representing many of the groups targeted in the party theme and Web site. University officials have met with members of the College Republicans responsible for the Web site and party.

President Graham B. Spanier has sent a message to approximately 60,000 students and others about the College Republican Web site about the matter.

The information below is provided to those desiring more of the background.

Q&A on bias incident at Penn State

Q: What happened?
A: The president of the College Republicans posted photographs on a Web page depicting guests at a costume party in black face, dressed as the KKK and portraying other groups in disparaging and offensive ways.

Q: What is the University's position?
A: The University denounced the photos and called for their removal from the Web. Penn State is committed to ensuring respect for the dignity of all individuals within our University family. Racism in any form is unacceptable at Penn State. The first of The Penn State Principles is, "I will respect the dignity of all individuals within the Penn State Community." Penn State will continue to strive for a campus environment that is welcoming and safe for all students. The inappropriate and unfortunate actions of one individual or group will not deter the University's commitment to welcome all individuals who seek the opportunity to learn.

Q: Was the posting of these photos illegal?
A: These biased actions, while highly offensive and insensitive, are protected by the First Amendment. But that First Amendment protection does not mean it is acceptable.

Q: What has the University done in response to the photos?
A: The University called for the removal of the photos and an apology from the person who posted them (statement attached). The president issued a statement (attached) denouncing the photos and reiterating Penn State's firm commitment to providing a safe and welcoming campus climate. The vice president for Student Affairs has met with student leaders representing concerned organizations, including members of the Black Caucus, Undergraduate Student Government, the Interfraternity Council and Allies, as well as the College Republicans. She has scheduled a meeting to bring groups together to address the concerns that have been raised. An open forum has been scheduled for later this week to allow the University community to debate the issues involved in this incident.

Q: Where can students or others get additional information?
A: The Penn State Live Web page at http://live.psu.edu will have any updated information on this incident.

Q: What should students do who need assistance and support in dealing with this and similar situations?
A: Resident Assistants are available to assist students in the residence halls. Counseling is available to students on the University Park campus through the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Escorts are available for students who are uncomfortable walking across campus alone. You can report acts of hate and bias incidents at http://www.equity.psu.edu/reporthate/ Any student who feels that he or she is in danger can turn immediately to University Police.

Q: Does the University have a formal plan to deal with diversity issues?
A: Penn State has an extensive plan to foster diversity, which can be accessed through the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity Web site: http://www.equity.psu.edu/ A new, five-year plan was published recently. The plan was based on extensive input from all segments of the University.

Q: What University offices have responsibility for dealing with these issues?
A: The Division of Student Affairs deals with student organizations, counseling services, residence life and other student-related services. The Office of Educational Equity provides leadership on diversity issues; supports the efforts of many organizations at the University to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals; and manages the "report hate" Web site. Police Services investigates threats and responds to student emergencies. The Multicultural Resource Center provides academic and personal support to students of color at the University. In addition, each academic college has a director of multicultural affairs who can provide additional support.

Q: If a student has a complaint about a student organization, what is the process for having that complaint addressed?
A: Penn State's policies and rules for student organizations permit any currently enrolled student or faculty/staff member to file a grievance against any student organization when there is an allegation of misconduct. Grievances should be directed to the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Supreme Court at their office in the HUB-Robeson Center for the clubs and student organizations that are registered by the USG. See http://www.sa.psu.edu/usa/studentactivities/pdf/PoliciesRulesO.pdf

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Statement from Penn State President Graham B. Spanier

A recent Web posting of photos and their captions by the president of the College Republicans depicting members of his organization in black face, dressed as the KKK and portraying other groups in disparaging ways, is patently offensive to anyone with a modicum of decency.

The individual responsible has removed the photos from the Web. But we are saddened and troubled by his efforts to defend the photos as being acceptable to his student organization. Yes, they are protected by the First Amendment, but that protection does not mean it is acceptable by any appropriate standard.

Penn State is committed to ensuring respect for the dignity of all individuals within our university family. Racism in any form is unacceptable. The first of "The Penn State Principles" is "I will respect the dignity of all individuals within the Penn State Community."

Penn State will continue to strive for a campus environment that is welcoming and safe for all students. The inappropriate and unfortunate actions of one individual or group will not deter the
University's commitment to welcome all individuals who seek the opportunity to learn.

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Letter to chairman of the College Republicans
from Bill Mahon, Assistant Vice President for University Relations

Mr. Brian Battaglia -- As chairman of the College Republicans and member of the Penn State community I think you and a number of the people in your organization owe a lot of people an apology for the horrible images on your personal Web site, http://botag.net.

I know most people will not interpret the racist actions of a dozen College Republicans as symptomatic of a bigger problem with the 83,000 students at Penn State, but the actions of your organization are in fact an embarrassment to the entire University.

Don't think for a minute that other Republicans would support this. Images of American flags and links to Republican leaders and presidential Web sites does not cloak your photos of College Republicans wearing blackface and KKK costumes as something legitimate or supported by those other people.

My understanding of the law is that the College Republicans have every right to embarrass themselves nationally. You have every right to use racially insensitive images; you have every right to make fun of the Catholic Church; you have every right to promote alcohol abuse; you have every right to put on blackface; you have every right to attack sororities and fraternities; and you have every right in your own homes, on your own time, to dress up in KKK costumes, take photos and post them on your own private Web sites.

You have that right in this country, but you also have a greater responsibility to the rest of us to be a better person. Take down the Web site and offer a strong, clear public apology to the community.