It was funny for a while, but now it has become ridiculous.

Our student government has been the source of some highly amusing entertainment over the past year. The various antics of Seth Williams and the Undergraduate Student Government have caused Penn Staters everywhere to chuckle as we read about their makebelieve politics each day in the Collegian. Now we read that Williams' executive assistant, Travis Parchman has been dismissed from school for his behavior during a protest on campus. Responding to the ruling, Parchman remarked, "As I've said before, I have no confidence in this University." With an attitude like that from one of our most influential "representatives," it's no wonder why our student government is not taken seriously; yet Penn State students don't seem to care.

Is the silent majority here completely apathetic towards the decisions which affect our education and quality of life?

I doubt it. Penn State students care very deeply about the important issues which affect our lives. What most of us could care less about however, is the political piddling and bureaucratic nonsense that has been preventing effective and meaningful representation. There are a lot of concerned and capable people here who have good ideas about how to make this University a better place, but don't want to waste their time putting up with all the frivolity involved with the USG.

But student government doesn't have to be like this, and if enough of these capable people get involved, there won't be so much garbage to break through to accomplish worthwhile goals. Elections for new student representatives will be held in March, and hopefully by then the silent majority will be tired of laughing at our current student government. Then we can all end the joke.