The college has suspended Drago pending a college disciplinary hearing. Drago, a psychology major who had transferred from Ocean County College, would be a junior this fall.
Drago could not be reached for comment. No hearing has been scheduled.
The incidents attributed to Drago followed nearly two dozen hate crimes on campus dating back to October 1999, initially targeting black and Jewish students.
"This is a very unfortunate situation," R. Barbara Gitenstein, president of the College of New Jersey, said of the Drago charges. "I regret the emotional toll on the college community, particularly on our gay members. I would not want anyone to trivialize the seriousness of harassing and threatening behavior as a result of this case."
David Elliot, spokesman for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, agreed.
"This confession is an isolated incident, but unfortunately, homophobia and even threats of violence on college campuses are not isolated," he said. "One mustn't conclude that because of fabrication in one case that this is not a national problem on campuses."
Henry Fradella, a law professor at the college and adviser to the campus gay union, said Drago "worked very hard for the union and was a valuable contributing member."
He said Drago planned many gay union activities, was a peer educator, and served as a resource for students struggling with their sexual orientation.
In February, the words die faggot were drawn on a message board near Drago's dorm room. Two weeks later, another note addressed to Drago appeared, saying, "I will find you." And after a homemade bomb was found on campus, a letter outside the gay union's office warned Drago that the bomb "was for starters."
The college responded in various ways. Faculty took out a full-page ad in the campus newspaper condemning hate crimes, and lectures on race relations were scheduled. Extra security was assigned to Drago's dormitory.
The college also canceled classes one day in April to hold a teach-in. About 400 attended. At that session, Drago for the first time revealed that he was the one getting hate mail.
"Deep inside, I am really torn apart by this," he told the crowd. To the one sending the hate mail, he said: "I urge you to get help. I urge you to come forward."
James M. O'Neill's e-mail address is joneill@phillynews.com.