In reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the members of the Hustler editorial board asked ourselves several questions, but we continued to return to one: What would King think of Vanderbilt’s campus today?

As an institution, Vanderbilt is one of few need-blind universities in the nation and is committed to providing the highest quality of education to each student, regardless of their ability to afford tuition. Certainly, this pledge to education across economic barriers should be considered a realization of King’s vision for the nation.

As well, over the past decade, Vanderbilt admissions have changed the face of Vanderbilt’s undergraduate student body. In 1995, only 4 percent of the freshman class was black; this past year, more than 10 percent of freshmen are black — one of the highest enrollments of blacks among the top universities in the U.S.

Notably, however, 58 percent of students polled for today’s Hustler responded that Vanderbilt students do not fully appreciate King’s legacy. Somewhat paradoxically, this suggests we are recognizing our own inability to properly understand and appreciate King’s legacy.

Students polled were overwhelmingly amenable to responding to questions, and often began to debate the answers with one another or provide additional reasoning in earnest, which speaks to the intellectual openness of Vanderbilt students. Many who responded in this way, particularly blacks students, spoke optimistically about the diversity at Vanderbilt and, while acknowledging the existence of de facto segregation, seemed to believe the separation was improving. Of course, we can’t deny the general feeling that students believe de facto segregation exists on campus.

While this separation would likely sit poorly with King, in considering his legacy, we should not forget the largely campus-wide values of service and faith. This year, more than 400 students are participating in Alternative Spring Break, and no one can deny the importance of religion for many students on campus.

Although we still have a way to go to achieve a truly cohesive community across racial divides, in reflecting on King’s legacy, we should not ignore the progress we’ve made and the values we share.