Moreover, Padilla said he felt the University is sacrificing protection of conservative students in favor of trying to prove that Harvard is diverse. "[The administrators] forget that someone who's conservative could be oppressed as well," he said.

Epps said the Administration has a limited ability to respond in these cases and can only act if there is repeated harassment or an incitement to violence. "In the case of speech," Epps said, "we are constrained to respond with speech."

What investigations have occurred have failed to find the perpetrators of these hate crimes, leaving victims and opponents alike confused and frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of response from the Administration.

Conservative students voiced concern that their liberal counterparts may have been responsible for the attacks.

"It's just a group of radical P.C. left-wingers who don't believe that conservatives deserve free speech," said Peninsula Auxiliary John J. Appelbaum '97.

Liberal student leaders denied involvement but agreed that attacks on conservative groups took unacceptable forms.

"As much as we, the left, would like to consider ourselves tolerant and open to opposing viewpoints, I don't think...the liberal community always engages in appropriate forms of discourse," said Marco B. Simons '97, an Undergraduate Council member and co-sponsor of the transgender amendment.

But gay and lesbian students who have been targeted said they feel the attacks have made it harder to believe in the University's ability to provide a comfortable environment.

"Dunster was something it's not anymore," Duchin said. Fellow Dunster resident Tan also said he wonders if the attacks hint at a growing intolerance in the Harvard community.

"I'm concerned that...people in the House should remain tolerant," Tan said, "and make the House a place where you feel comfortable."