Adam Gold, student body president, said during a rally yesterday that he is challenging the assistant dean of student’s council to find a “next step” in working toward a solution to the recent tension on campus.

The rally, called “Peace It Together,” was held in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. It was originally scheduled to be held near the Campanile, but organizers moved the group of 35 people inside to escape the cold weather.

Rob Wiese, president of the Inter-Residence Hall Association, said the rally was scheduled to unify members of the Iowa State community in response to the news of the assault of Deantrious Mitchell.

Although it was found that Mitchell filed a fake report of assault, Wiese said the campus still needs to unite in the wake of several issues that have divided campus this semester.

“We need to begin to work on a solution. Rallying is wonderful, we get our opinions heard, but we need to work toward a solution,” Gold said.

“We can get by this, and we can get by this together,” he said.

Representatives from several student groups spoke at the event, including Marva Sumlin, vice president of the Black Student Association.

“The commitment of the university to diversity is a lot different than the written policy they use to attract students and faculty to the university,” she said.

She said it is important that the student body challenge the university in order to bring about change.

“If we don’t check our beliefs and challenge the university, who will?” she asked.

Heidi Frey of the IRHA encouraged students to be more than people of the times, but people for the times.

“We need to pick up our tools and get to work,” she said.

Neelika Perreira spoke on behalf of the Student Union Board. She said apathy results from too much comfort in the lives of Americans.

“In a land of dishwashers and auto garage doors of happiness, we forget the need for spiritual comfort. We sacrifice the need for spiritual comfort with material comfort,” she said.