Recent comments about the lack of diversity in Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Assembly by a USG cabinet member were a bit misguided.

At Monday's Academic Assembly meeting, USG multicultural affairs director Mark Bagley said minorities are under-represented at USG Academic Assembly and that assembly members should make efforts to increase interaction with culturally diverse students.

It may very well be the case that there is a lack of diversity on Academic Assembly, and we aren't denying that more culturally diverse viewpoints would do Academic Assembly -- or any other under-represented student organization on this campus --a world of good.

There are probably plenty of viewpoints missing on this organization that could further help a certain group of students.

But who is Bagley, or anyone else, to force minorities to join a group if they do not want to?

Bagley means well, but we believe he is going about this the wrong way.

If a diverse candidate wanted a seat on Academic Assembly, they would do it.

Joining Academic Assembly is voluntary. And the members are essentially walk-ons.

It might not hurt the Academic Assembly to seek out diverse individuals to join the organization and bring unique viewpoints to the meetings.

However, it might be seen as a negative to "seek out" diverse members for Academic Assembly. Would students really want someone representing them, if we have to "seek it out?"

Why should we force the interest if it isn't there?

Bagley neglects to mention that this is an entire university problem. It's simple; being located in the middle of Pennsylvania, Penn State has a lack of diversity. Even President Spanier addressed the issue of diversity during his state of the university address.

Simply, there's not enough diversity at Penn State to be able to have every group be as culturally diverse as one would like.

It's a shame that all viewpoints aren't represented at the university.

Yet, the lack of interest and students on the ballot in last year's USG election shows that most Penn State students just do not care about the governing body.

If not many students are interested in student government to begin with: Why should diverse students be any different?

There are plenty of other diverse student groups at Penn State that entice more diverse students to get involved in campus activities -- they just choose not to participate in Academic Assembly.

Can you fault them for that?