Kriston Guillot has a long year ahead of him.

The Shawnee sophomore faces the challenges of helping increase diversity at Kansas University while also being responsible for responding to race problems at universities throughout the country. But he knows he’s not alone.

Guillot is the 2004 president of the Big 12 Council on Black Student Government. It’s the third time in the past four years the council has elected a KU student as its president.

Mark Dupree, a Kansas City, Kan., senior and friend of Guillot’s, was the council’s 2003 president.

“I was extremely humbled and amazed by the talent and type of leadership that I encountered, and the trust from the people was amazing,” Dupree said.

Guillot said the council’s power should not be underestimated.

“By unifying ourselves, we create a powerful force in which we can do programs together and give guidance to all the different black student organizations on the various campuses,” Guillot said.

Though KU’s Black Student Union is making a splash in the Big 12, the university’s numbers do not exemplify diversity. In 2003, the KU registrar reported that blacks made up 3 percent of the university’s student body. In 2002, the black population at KU was 2.7 percent.

In contrast, white students made up 81 percent of KU’s student body in 2003; in 2002, the white population was 81.6 percent.

Guillot and Dupree said they were well aware of the numbers.

“The number-one problem that most universities within the Big 12 face is the lack of diversity on the campuses, more so in the African-American populations,” Dupree said.

But Guillot thinks year by year, the council can increase diversity among the Big 12.

“Diversity breeds diversity. When you see people that look like you, it makes you want to join in,” Guillot said.

As Dupree’s tenure as president comes to an end, handing over his responsibilities is bittersweet.

“I don’t want to let it go, but I know I’m releasing it into good hands and with that I have no problems,” Dupree said.