The Undergraduate Student Government Senate agreed on a definition of diversity last night.

The resolution passed with 25 in support, one against, and one abstaining from the vote.

"This required a lot of work and we are confident in the definition," said Town Sen. Rob Michaels, who also serves as the chair for the senate's side of the diversity committee during the meeting. "This is a huge step for us."

The definition emphasizes the different qualities that make individuals unique and shape lifestyles, perceptions and interactions with each other.

It maintains that "the myriad of qualities present in all members of any given society also make each individual a distinct part of that society, assuring the individual's contribution as an irreplaceable part of the whole."

The Academic Assembly had already passed the legislation 10 for, three against, and three opposing at Monday night's meeting.

"This is positive in that it shows the joint committee coming together to put out legislation," said Academic Assembly President Loren Filson. "This is a tiny piece of what's still to come."

Many acknowledged that the definition would serve as a basis for future action.

"This will form the foundation of our actions, and we can model everything back towards this as we take action," D. Josh Troxell, senator for the Division of Undergraduate Studies and chair of assembly's branch of the joint committee, said during assembly. He added that the group spoke to different student organizations such as the Village and the Muslim Student Association, in addition to various religious organizations, while researching for the formation of this definition.

"It covered a lot of ground," said David Davis, secretary for the Black Caucus. "The real challenge here is to make sure that we incorporate all into diversity ... There's a lot you can say and you can write, but you have to actually live it."

Formed as a resolution passed during the USG emergency meeting at the HUB-Robeson Center after the sit-ins, the senate and assembly's joint committee was established to bridge the gap between education and awareness.

The two groups have been working together this semester to improve race relations at Penn State.