The last time a student ran for a State College Borough Council seat, Pat Paul declared his candidacy as a last minute write-in ticket and fueled controversy in the Undergraduate Student Government over whether it should endorse Paul, who did not know if he would remain in State College.

It seems one student leader since has polished the act.

This year a student candidate may succeed where Paul and others before him have failed. Former USG Senate President Ron Marlow began his quest for a council seat earlier this month, calling for greater student awareness of local government.

A student leader with the foresight to plan his candidacy and campaign could offer Univeristy students a rare opportunity for responsible student representation to the downtown policy makers.

If successful, Marlow's candidacy would provide students with a more prominent voice in borough matters including development, the need for better lighting downtown and parking shortages.

The 22-year old Democrat is pointedly correct when he claims, "Borough council members will be more mindful of a student sitting next to them voting than 12 students coming in to protest an issue."

Marlow's candidacy appears a serious, well-planned campaign that should convince council members of the seriousness of student concerns. Although elections will not be held until November, Marlow already has promised to serve a full council term.

Marlow's experience ensures the qualifications he brings to a student campaign. The former USG Senate President has served on the Mayor's Action Committee and has shown genuine interest in council activity throughout his undergraduate career. He also sits on the University's Land Economic Development Committee and the University President's Council on Undergraduate Retention.

Intended graduate work in public administration and a prior attempt to gain a council seat when nominations were taken for the vacancy left by the death of then President John Dombroski further demonstrates Marlow's interest in local affairs

This forethought and experience, however, will be useless without student involvement. University students need to evaluate Marlow's platform carefully to determine whether his campaign accurately represents student interests. If so, they should exercise their right to vote and see that those interests are met.

With a qualified candidate running a well-planned campaign for a council seat, a student voice in borough government could be within reach.

Students should keep abreast of borough issues and make their voices heard on election day to ensure that council members realize their need for a say in those issues.