The Black Student Association wants to keep Iowa State’s image clean and protect the image of the Big 12.

Why? When another Big 12 school is associated with an overtly racist-themed party, like Oklahoma State University’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, it reflects on other Big 12 schools.

Many asked: Could it happen here at Iowa State?

And for students who happen to be from a racial group so unbecomingly portrayed in a party, questions of welcome and safety naturally arise.

The BSA is doing the right thing to raise awareness and call for accountability. Because Iowa State has provisions for dealing with such conduct, formal channels exist in case such events would unfold at Iowa State.

However, students themselves need to voice an opinion on what kind of campus they want to attend, what kind of values are promoted, even at fraternity parties, and what kind of recourse is appropriate for perpetrators of hate speech.

This is where the Government of the Student Body comes in.

GSB can and should be a voice in shaping the culture of dignity on campus, as well as accepting student ownership for dealing with actions unbecoming to the student body.

While GSB cannot sanction any measures that would, for example, expel students from Iowa State should they engage in hate speech, GSB could be a catalyst for creative justice.

Appropriating money to diversity forums is a good start, but often results in a presenter preaching to the choir.

Rather, if an ISU student perpetrates hate speech like at Oklahoma State, students should be subject to an on-campus hearing with their peers.

Measures like mandatory attendance at a diversity forum, a cultural festival or even a panel discussion would provide a disincentive for engaging in bigoted behavior and provide punishment through forcing the perpetrators to face those they discriminated against.

Moreover, GSB should discuss how organizations can be held accountable for the actions of their members at organization-sponsored events.

That such distasteful episodes have not plagued Iowa State is due in part to the accountability already in place in student organizations on campus.

We’re thankful Iowa State hasn’t been home to the racist debauchery evident at other schools.

Now is the time to proactively enact policy to deal with it so we are never caught off guard.

Editorial Board:Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Rachel Faber Machacha, Charlie Weaver, Zach Calef, Ayrel Clark.