When I was looking into transferring schools toward the middle of last spring, there were several points of criteria that I was looking for. Beyond the academics, the most important thing to me was the size and diversity of the school. After going to a high school with a graduating class of 68, and then attending a small liberal arts college where the number of cows and Mennonites in the town actually outnumbered the college students, I was ready for a change.

Needless to say, I thought Binghamton, although a far cry from being the multicultural center of the universe, would help open up my eyes and expand my knowledge of various ethnicities, religions and cultures outside of my own.

My first observation on campus was that there were no cows.

The second observation was that, although there was definitely not a lack of diversity among my peers, there existed an obvious lack of social interaction among different racial groups on campus. Considering that I’m new here, I don’t know if this revelation is something that has been discussed in great detail in the past, or if it has been going on for so long that it is merely brushed off as “the way things are.” Either way, it was disappointing, to say the least.

Although I was disheartened that there weren’t more cultural collaborations occurring on campus, I reasoned that if Binghamton wasn’t the poster child for the “melting pot” ideology, at least all relations among the students seemed to be remaining amicable.

That said, I was more than shocked last week when I discovered that within my residence hall there had been several reports of hate-related crimes. I don’t mean to go air anyone’s dirty laundry, and, to be fair, I’ve only heard second-hand accounts of the details, but I think the whole campus community needs to open their eyes and realize that no matter how small or large these hate crimes were, it is still highly unacceptable behavior and these actions are resoundingly hurtful to many people. It really pisses me off that someone would have the audacity to attack fellow peers in their dorm, a place that they should look to as being as safe as their own home.

This situation is something that all those associated with Binghamton University (professors, students and all other employees) should look upon with great disgust and disdain. Even if these hate crimes turn out to be isolated incidents, it does not mask the fact that there is an underlying feeling of hatred on this campus. While I am only one person, I feel as if I should call upon everyone reading this to really question what steps they can take to discourage these types of behaviors.

While doing some of my own introspection, I’ve decided that the best way for me to make a difference in the mentality of my fellow students would be to use the power of the pen that this column gives me. I honestly would love to hear different people’s thoughts and opinions on this matter and I am more than happy to help you get your word out.

Hate crimes have plagued our country for hundreds of years and I don’t suspect that one little article, or one little protest, or one little rally at Binghamton University will be an ultimate solution. But if we sit back and don’t do anything about it, then we are almost as much at fault as the people who carry out the crimes.