Members of Residence Life, campus minority groups, ROTC, student affairs, the Dean of Students Office, Associated Students of the University of Arizona, campus religious centers, various students and other campus groups gathered Monday for the first of what hopes to be many Campus Climate Brainstorming Groups.

This "diverse" group of people was collected by Dean of Students Melissa Vito to help measure the UA campus climate and to brainstorm ways to make the students feel part of the community.

And it is much needed.

At the beginning of the semester, the protest of Kappa Sigma by MeCHA brought the issue of racism to the view of everyone on campus. But there have also been hidden racial problems, as Vito commented on Monday when she said there have been reports of "anti-Semitic behavior."

The hope for Vito and other campus administrators is to, as she said, "get a better handle of it (racism)" and many other issues.

The last time the university took a measure of its climate was during the 1989-90 school year, Vito said. She said the "pilot survey" interviewed students and student leaders, and its responses prompted action in developing the campus cultural centers, discussing overcrowding and refocusing of student affairs.

That is what is needed now: refocusing. The university needs to find out what today's students value and dislike about this ever-expanding campus.

That does not mean faculty and staff are not important. There are other groups in the works for those UA team members, Vito said.

As Vice President for Student Affairs Saundra Taylor said Monday, "We are at the critical juncture at the life of the university."

If the UA is going to compete for the top students nationwide, then it must listen to the ones who have attended, as well as the faculty and staff, to see how the university can better itself.

The brainstorming group is doing just that, and it could have not come at a better time.

Staff Editorial