The Framework to Foster Diversity that Penn State passed in 2000 had a position called the Diversity Advocate.

The job, which has not been filled for more than a semester, is a part-time advocacy position that gives attention to individuals who are victims of hate and monitors the Penn State hate Web site, www.equity.psu.edu/ reporthate.

Right away, we have to wonder if anyone is currently monitoring this Web site. If this job position has not been filled for more than one semester, does the university even know if it is necessary or not?

Black Caucus President Tiffanie Lewis, search committee member Sara Ryan and the person who left the position, Eric Malewski, all say it is necessary and requires more work than its part-time status.

The university needs to be honest in a decision about this job. Either it is necessary, and the university has the money to pay for it, or the job isn't necessary, and there isn't enough money to pay for it.

If all these significant people around the diversity issue at Penn State believe in this job, shouldn't that convince the university that the Diversity Advocate position is worthwhile?

The thing is, maybe the university does not have the funds to fulfill this position adequately, as implied by the fact the position is vacant. The Diversity Advocate position is an entry-level management job, and no one qualified would come to work part-time.

So, part of the trouble in filling the spot is that it's situated so that it cannot be filled with a reasonably qualified person who wants to move up at the university. The reality is, the university created this position and should fill it, by some means. If administrators do not hire, the vacant position risks becoming a symbolic gesture by the administration that diversity is not at the top of Penn State's list.

So, what officials need is an ultimatum: Either fill the position by making it a more reputable job, through offering a qualified individual a full-time position with adequate pay; or, say the job is not necessary, and phase the responsibilities into that of another position within the university.

The position is in the framework, and whatever job the Diversity Advocate is supposed to do is not getting done, which is a shame on the university's plan to foster diversity.