Letter to the Editor

We are very pleased to have the opportunity to clarify, in general, the representation of student diversity on Student Senate.

There are six Diversity Representatives on Senate. These individuals are elected by the entire student body - they appear on the same sheet used in the elections to check mark votes for President, VP, Secretary/ Treasurer and Class Reps.

Years ago when the Student Senate decided to revamp its entire system of representation, it was they who devised and approved of the involvement of six Diversity Reps who would represent three diversity categories: Culture and Religion, Race and Ethnicity, and Gender and Sexuality. These were meant to be broad enough as to capture as many facets of non-academic diversity that Luther students represented.

Anyone can run for the position of Diversity Rep because to represent a diversity area means to identify oneself as falling within, or wanting to act as ally to the needs and interests of any one of those areas.

It is most imperative to make known that the Reps do not represent the Luther Diversity Center, but rather it is the Center that takes it upon itself to provide guidance and support to any endeavors at diversity. A “diversity board” was formed so as to consolidate the Diversity Reps’ efforts – and the title of “Luther Diversity Center Representatives” was adopted merely as a description of the students’ efforts and not a reflection of a singular sponsorship.

We apologize for any miscommunication of the application process with regards to the Diversity Reps and we certainly hope to better reflect the intentions of this positions in the next year. Again, we would like to thank students for expressing their concerns via the college newspaper and helping hold us accountable for fairly representing the student body.

We invite all fellow students to approach any Senator or attend any of the Student Senate meetings which are held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm in the Mott room. Also feel free to forward any other concerns/ issues to senate@luther.edu .

- Student Senate