Lawrence Journal-World opinion section

Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little’s veto of a proposed $2 student fee to fund a new Multicultural Student Government at Kansas University was a tough but correct decision.

Given the current environment on the nation’s university campuses, Gray-Little’s action was bound to draw criticism but it was a thoughtful and responsible decision that is in the best interests of her university and the state.

As Gray-Little noted in a letter explaining her decision, it would be irresponsible to recommend to the Kansas Board of Regents that a new fee be collected for a separate multicultural government that does not currently exist and would not be developed during the 2016-17 school year for which the fee would be collected. She also noted that the university code prohibits having two independent groups representing KU students.

Perhaps more important than those practical considerations, however, is the possibility that having separate student governments actually would create new divisions among the university community. Having a separate multicultural government, Gray-Little said “is not the optimal way to achieve the goals we have for diversity and inclusion at the university and, indeed, may lead to greater divisiveness.”

All students at KU or any other university have a right to feel they are respected and treated fairly. There obviously is a significant group of KU students who don’t believe their interests are being adequately represented by the existing student government. The answer to that, however, is not to form a separate, competing government, but to work toward establishing one inclusive student group that represents all the interests of a diverse student body.

The students pushing for a Multicultural Student Government have some broad ideas of the purpose it would serve, but funding the group next year would be premature. Far better to take the time necessary to come up with a strategy that merits broad campus support rather than rushing into a questionable plan that could end up increasing divisions, tensions and frustrations.

Gray-Little and other university officials have taken seriously the concerns of students who feel marginalized or alienated from the university community. However, it’s been only about a week since KU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group issued a report containing more than 30 proposals for making KU more democratic and inclusive. Some patience may be required, but, in the long run, it makes sense to take the time to work toward thoughtful solutions that will provide long-term benefits from KU.