I would like to start out by applauding the Collegian's Feb. 11 editorial, which called for more student involvement in State College government. Many students do not consider State College government to be important to them, and this apathy undermines any student efforts for fair representation in the borough.

Students make up nearly 70 percent of State College's population. In any other situation, this size constituency could not be ignored.

Some State College Borough Council members make a genuine effort to include student concerns in their decision-making, but others do not. Often, student input is not even solicited when issues directly affecting the student population are being considered. This needs to change.

However, I would also like to refute the editorial's claim that "No one but media students attend borough council meetings regularly." When students go to the USG polls in March to elect town senators, they vote in representatives whose responsibilities include regular attendance at council meetings. I can assure you this responsibility is maintained by USG town senators.

In December 1990, as the Fall Semester drew to a close and most students were cramming for finals, members of the USG Senate's Governmental Relations Committee were working feverishly to complete a report on student perspectives of the borough.

USG town senators and members of the Governmental Relations Committee will continue to go to council meetings, and we will continue to represent student concerns as best we can. However, this representation from the student government is only one small component. Without voting and voicing your opinions at council meetings student concerns may not be fully considered in key decisions by borough government.

In short, vote. You spend at least four years of your life in State College. Four years is a large enough portion of your life to warrant soliciting fair representation in local government. If you are registered to vote in your hometown, I encourage you to change your registration status and vote here.

Speak out! Go to borough council meetings and voice your opinions. Without this vocalization of student sentiment, student concerns may continue to go unanswered.

The primaries are May 21, and are shaping up to be hotly contested for borough council seats. The last day to register for primaries is April 22, and those of you who will not be here May 21 can apply for an absentee ballot up until May 14. Absentee ballots for the primary will be accepted by the County Board of Elections until May 17. Voter registration forms will be available in the USG office.

Please, get involved in your local government.