I write this letter to every person who calls Iowa State home.

Several months of community input will end Friday and bring to a close a process in response to acts of hate that tarnished our campus last summer.

The Government of the Student Body created the Principles Commission to develop something tangible so, despite past incidents of discrimination, future students will know what Iowa State truly values.

The Principles Commission held focus groups with a cross section of students last November and personally reached out to the Inter-Residence Hall Association, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, Professional and Scientific Council, Greek community, Faculty Senate and each of the colleges. This outreach was done in an effort to understand what our community felt would represent an ideal campus community. The commission released a draft of the “Principles of Community” on Jan. 20.

Since that time, community members have been asked to visit our Web site, www.gsb.iastate.edu, our Facebook group and the ISU Web index (under “P”) to locate a copy of the principles and learn why their implementation is important.

I urge you to engage yourself by offering us your likes, dislikes and ideas for how we all work together to infuse the principles into our campus community. As we have said all along, the principles will not replace any current policy. This student-led effort will provide our university with a broad set of community standards that will invite each of us to contribute to an environment that values mutual respect and is free of discrimination. These are vital campus qualities that allow us to successfully learn, live and work. The more ideas we gather, the easier it will be to make recommendations to ensure this effort will become a reality. Every student should be proud of the fact that we led this effort. We have asked a whole university community to consider the principles that guide our interactions with each other.

Today is your opportunity to seize the moment and contribute to this endeavor. With your help, this effort will produce “Principles of Community” that will enhance our university, improve our campus climate and stand the test of time.

Phil Hernandez

Co-chairman

Principles Commission