STAFF EDITORIAL: Working toward UA diversity

A joint UA-UMC initiative has the potential to achieve a long-standing goal of increased diversity on the UA. Plans to seat United Minorities Council members on each of the UA's committees in non-voting capacities strike us as an extraordinary step forward for both bodies. The UA has long struggled with low levels of minority representation, making it difficult for the body to lay claim to speaking with a truly representative voice on issues of campus-wide concern. Recent years have seen the UA launch similar efforts to involve interested parties in its various committees. But this latest effort is deserving of particular mention both for its immediate impact and its long term goals. In the short term, the contribution of an increased diversity of voices to the UA's work is an entirely positive thing. By listening to more students from an increased diversity of backgrounds, the body stands a better chance than ever of identifying and reacting to student concerns. And in the long term, both UA and UMC members hope that such representation will increase the number of UA seats held by minorities by increasing awareness of the roles minorities can play in student government. Both goals are admirable, and we look forward to watching both unfold.