November 11 at 4:29 p.m.

That is the deadline for Student Senate members to complete their diversity requirement.

According to Leah Pietraszewski, committee chair of diversity affairs, there’s not a specific reason for the unusual deadline time.

“It’s just one of those times people remember,” she said.

Student Senate bylaws require Student Senate members is to participate in at least one event that promotes diversity on campus.

Members must complete the requirement by the middle of the semester, which is Nov. 11.

Attending an event promoting diversity will not fulfill the requirement. Student Senate members need to assist with the event. After the event, the members must fill out a form that discusses the event and what they learned from it.

“So far two senators have turned it in,” Pietraszewski said. “Right now I know of five others that are in the process of doing one and writing out the paper work for that.”

Any Student Senate member who does not fulfill the diversity requirement will receive an absence. If a Student Senate member receives three absences in one semester, they will be removed from Student Senate, according to the Student Senate Bylaws.

As recently as last spring semester, some members of Student Senate have felt that the requirement is unnecessary. Fewer students have felt that way this semester, according to Student Life Director Ceci Brinker.

“Originally the diversity requirement was to make sure the Student Government leadership was in touch with all students,” Brinker said.

Although there is less discontent with the requirement, some have chosen not to complete it.

“There are a few people who have already come up to me and expressed their discontent with the whole idea of having to go out and do something, but all I can say is that you’re in the position for the students and you can only get better at your job if you understand all of the different backgrounds that your representing,” Pietraszewski said.

However, there are still some different views on it throughout the Student Senate.

“I’m going to do mine, but I don’t fill out the paper work,” said Shawn Ready, Student Senate member.

Ready said that he participated in six or seven events, but thinks the paperwork is stupid. He will take the absence.

“I think it (the diversity requirement) was a good idea and it still is,” said Jeff Melanson, Student Senate member. “Our generation doesn’t really look at color, so much.

“I mean some of us do, but I don’t think for the most part.”

Melanson said that he would fulfill the requirement.

While a Resident Assistant at another university, Student Senate Member Katherine Wlodarski said that she had to fulfill a diversity requirement three times a semester, except it was called professional development.

“To me this is pretty easy,” she said. “It’s only one per semester.”