Last week, students in the greek and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) communities took a step in the right direction when they announced the formation of an alliance with the goal of education and unification.

The alliance hopes to make Penn State a "safe space," where all students will feel comfortable and accepted for who they are. It plans to sponsor "straight talks," which will inform students in the greek community about the LGBTA experience, and will culminate in a philanthropic event developed by the two communities.

This initiative is a significant and commendable step in contributing to Penn State's ideals of acceptance and diversity, and in dispelling any lingering stereotypes or assumptions members of the communities may have about one another.

With luck, the greek and LGBTA alliance will motivate other influential student groups to not only get involved, but to forge coalitions of their own, bridging cultural and ideological gaps that may exist between separate student groups.

Events such as protests and marches may be effective activist tools, but coalition building is one of the most valuable ways to shatter stereotypes and promote compassion, awareness and acceptance.

This initiative has the potential to alter both individual's perspectives and the campus' overall tolerance climate. It's too important to abandon because of disinterest.

All four greek councils on campus have accepted the proposal, but only time will tell how effective it truly will be. One factor that will enhance the alliance's ability to endure and to provoke change is how well it is received by students. Penn State students must welcome the program with open minds and must actively participate if Penn State is to become a more comfortable place for students to create bonds of acceptance and understanding.

What's so momentous about this initiative is that it was conceived by students for students, and it is being implemented by students for students. If Penn State President Graham Spanier, for instance, had hatched the idea, this alliance would still be a step in the right direction. But it would, in no way, demonstrate as fully the aspirations and determination of Penn State students to form one cohesive community that accepts people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ideologies and backgrounds.

Make it last.