Tuesday evening the members of Presidents’ Council discussed the recent incidents of racist graffiti that have been discovered in the residence halls. We would like to take this opportunity to address our fellow students about how reprehensible we feel this behavior to be.

These incidents are symbolic of the struggles that students of color face on a day-to-day basis on our campus. This is merely a visual representation of spoken incidents; we must be aware of what we say regardless of who is listening. It is the responsibility of all people to speak out against these deplorable acts. We must make a concerted effort to include all members of our campus community; we must work hand in hand to educate ourselves on diversity both in and outside of the classroom.

Students may feel that these are isolated incidents and that we have no reason to become concerned about their occurrences; however, it is imperative in today’s global economy that we understand cultures other than our own. If we do not address these issues now, then we are doing ourselves a disservice.

Lack of action builds habit; habit builds complacency; complacency breeds ignorance.

Such acts of ignorance have no place in an institution that dedicates itself to higher learning and strives to promote the inclusiveness of all people regardless of ethnicity, culture, religion, sex or sexual preference. Such incidents cannot be tolerated; however, they provide people with an opportunity to show that these are the acts of a token few bigots. This is not how the students of UW-P choose to conduct themselves. We are all responsible for the learning and living environments that we create.

Growth is brought about when one steps outside of their individual comfort zone. One portion of the university experience is to foster such growth through new relationships. Students should seek out the 5 percent of the population that constitutes minorities on our campus. There are incredible learning opportunities in getting to know someone whose past has provided them with more culturally diverse experiences.

Actions speak louder than words; we as student leaders promise to lead by example and promote the similarities between people, not the differences. This is an issue of human diversity; we are all here to learn in the most positive manner available. By choosing to do nothing the majority has condoned these cowardly actions.  However, we as student leaders cannot achieve this on our own. We need the help of every student on campus to ensure such events do not happen again. These changes must start with each and every one of us, and they must start now.

There are multiple events coming up this semester to promote human diversity. There are Stop the Hate sessions on Monday, Nov. 16 and Dec. 4. Teaching Awareness Through Drama will be conducting a performance on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Velzy Commons. We as student leaders strongly suggest that everyone make an effort to attend these events. This will expand our awareness of the issues and show our support in preventing repeat incidents. We must strive to bring our campus community together into the most inclusive environment possible.

Editors Note: This column was written by Eli Caywood, Joseph Holloway and Sam Krohlow. It is a collaboration between Eli Caywood, president of Student Senate; Jared Keen, president of SUFAC; Joseph Holloway, vice-president of SUFAC; Sam Krohlow, president of RHA; Chris Helt, vice-president of RHA; Ryan Schutte, president of United Greek Council; Courtney Wiegel, vice-president of United Greek Council; and Adam Abston, president of SCAC, and was signed by all of the above.