Student politics at Penn State has changed a lot in 30 year.

Back in 1960, elected leaders were chosen from either the Campus or University parties of the Student Government Association. In contrast, Undergraduate Student Government officers now are elected at-large, making them more representative of the student population.

With the opportunity available to pick leaders who will represent student concerns, undergraduates have no excuse to complain about University life if they do not vote today.

Last year's voting totals show that about 10 percent of students voted in the election Janyne Althaus and Bill Novick won.

For a year in which the new student leaders will work with a new University president and provost, clearly more students should vote today.

With their votes, students will be determining many of the student government's priorities in the next 12 months. This year's tickets have focused on areas including open budget lobbying, course selector guides, diversity courses, the proposed sexual orientation clause and parking.

The new leaders will work on their goals using the established USG departments of women's concerns, safety, legal affairs, human relations and political and international affairs -- and possibly some new ones. USG officers rely on these departments to help all students with information, advice and services necessary for creating a productive campus environment.

The USG president and vice president are responsible for staffing these divisions with students who will operate them effectively.

The vice president also chairs the USG senate, and both officials sit on the University Student Advisory Board -- a group of student leaders who advise the University president. These many responsibilities require a well-thought out choice of leaders.

Today students will also select USG senators and residence hall area representatives. These leaders work on more immediate concerns affecting daily student life, such as improving dining commons and organizing programs in dorms.

Choosing from a large field of candidates may be difficult, but voting is easy. Take a few minutes today to select next year's leaders.