How many times does it need to be said: Elected student leaders with direct accountability to their constituents have a supreme obligation to conduct their dealings in an open, public environment.

Unfortunately, the growing chorus of voices advocating closed meetings has been augmented by the strongest voice of all: University President Bryce Jordan.

Jordan last week advised the University Student Advisory Board that upon his departure at the end of August, he would advise his successor to hold occasional closed meetings with USAB.

The reason: There are some aspects of the "management process" that Jordan prefers not to publicize.

Balderdash.

Anything that student leaders have the right to know, their constituents have as much of a right to know.

University administrators are encouraged to keep communication lines open with student leaders, but whispering facts and figures behind closed doors can only generate distrust.

And distrust is just what creates the apathy that reduces the already meager student voice at Penn State.

In this campus microcosm of the "real world," USAB members are the equivalent of public officials, placed in their lofty perches by the voters of their particular organizations.

Good leadership requires honesty. By locking the doors of USAB meetings to the press and the public so covert information can be passed, board members implicitly state they are privileged individuals -- more important and more powerful than those whom they serve.

Leaders are mere representatives of their organizations, not revered super-students who deserve special treatment when they receive the label of "leader."

Jordan should have more sense than to advise tomorrow's leaders that secrecy is a key component of public administration. USAB itself adds to the disorder by not speaking out against such policies.

Whispering is impolite. And among accountable student leaders, it is dangerous and a breach of trust as well.