Diversity is a difficult word to define, yet one that has been the focus of many discussions at Iowa State this year. It is not something to overlook, and not something all students at this university have a complete understanding of, as is evident when acts of vandalism directed at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community can no longer be counted on one hand.

“How do we create an atmosphere that’s more accepting?” That question was posed by GSB President T.J. Schneider. Are there solutions to something so abstract? The tag line used in many efforts to promote diversity is “awareness.” But being “aware” means little — taking clear action toward promoting diversity is needed.

It is difficult to say we are an accepting community when the opposing proof is as clear as the writing on the wall. Though university officials have done the damage control and even removed the proof of hate crimes on this campus in the last six months — the “Die Fag Die” and “Dean of Fags” graffiti that turned up last fall, and the “Fag House Sucks” message that a member of the Triangle Fraternity chalked on campus last week — it would be ignorant to think these haven’t left a mark on the university.

There is no amount of scrubbing that will wipe these incidents from memory.

It seemed a further hit to diversity-oriented efforts when Myron Batsa, the first director of diversity for the Government of the Student Body cabinet, stepped down from his position. That cabinet position had been in existence for less than one year; Schneider created it at the beginning of his executive term last April.

One year is certainly not enough time to affect great change, but Batsa was on top of things when he helped organize a “Friday Conversation” on diversity with President Gregory Geoffroy. Hundreds showed up for the first discussion last month, and the crowd overflowed from the Sun Room the Memorial Union.

That discussion was a good first step. But achieving the abstract goal of diversity will entail leaps and bounds.

Of the recent vandalism, Schneider said, “It’s a blatant view of nonacceptance of different people’s backgrounds, which surely makes them feel not very accepted.” That’s more than true, though if diversity is hard to define, “acceptance” surely is as well.

After Batsa stepped down, Schneider was quick to seek new candidates to fill the spot. That hastiness should be applauded, for the director of diversity is clearly a needed role model on this campus.

The deadline for those applications is Feb. 17. Certainly there are dozens of students on campus with the initiative and vision to help ISU students in this capacity.

Editorial Board: Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver