Venezuela-born Erik Suarez, a senior and Young Americans for Freedom activist at the school, spotted the Fidel Castro quote in a university office area. He posted on Twitter July 13th to express his concern that the university would memorialize such a repressive figure.
"I want to raise my voice and condemn the spread of socialist propaganda on campus, especially now with what happens in Cuba," said Suarez in a tweet.
Penn State removed the quote within a matter of days.
"He actually got a response from a university administrator, who is the vice president for administration, and he said that 'the university agrees with the concerns that you all have raised, and the quote is being removed,'" Young American's Foundation spokeswoman Kara Zupkus relays.
Young Americans for Freedom is part of Young America's Foundation, a conservative youth organization whose stated mission is "ensuring that increasing numbers of young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values."
"We were really impressed at how quickly the school responded and grateful that they did take into consideration their concerns," says Zupkus. "Of all the people that a university could quote, to memorialize such a repressive dictator is really concerning, and I'm glad that this student stood up against it."
But Zupkus would not be surprised if other schools had a quote from Castro or another "awful repressive figure" on display.
"We're hearing reports all over the country of this being in the curriculum and in the classroom, so we would not be surprised if a school is trying to memorialize someone like that," she tells American Family News. "But if someone does hear about it, they should let us know, and we will get to work on changing that."
Students can submit a tip to the Campus Bias Tip Line, along with any other information that may help YAF move quickly and put pressure on the school to make changes.
