The Daily Orange Editorial Board supports the creation of a director of diversity affairs within the Syracuse University Student Association.

The initiative was introduced at an SA meeting earlier this month by Vice President Jane Hong who said the ideal person in the position would serve as a student representative to different diversity leadership councils at SU that currently only consist of faculty and staff. The member would focus “solely on diversity affairs as it pertains to our student body,” Hong said in an interview with The Daily Orange. 

The creation of such a role has the potential to bridge substantial gaps between different student groups, staff, faculty and the administration. And though there has never been a position like a director of diversity affairs in SA, the proposal comes at a feasible time during which each pair running for president and vice president of the 60th session of SA has named diversity and inclusion as primary components of their platforms.

On the basis of communication, Hong said one of the long-term goals she would like to see with the role is the creation of a committee that would have representatives from the university’s international and cultural organizations to alleviate the current campus climate of self-segregation among minority groups.

While the specifics of the position have not yet been finalized, the goals of the initiative to amplify these channels of communication and minimize polarization are clear enough and the flexibility of the role allows a qualified student to define it as they see fit. And this ability to adjust accordingly in the best interest of the campus should be commended for the fact that negative consequences are in no way foreseen at a time when diversity, inclusion and representation are heavily discussed and frequently called for.

With only until Thursday to cast votes for SA leadership and certain campus initiatives, SU students should work to foster a healthier campus climate by voting to establish a director of diversity affairs position on SA’s MySlice ballot.