By next Monday the Undergraduate Student Government will have new leaders at its helm -- Mark Stewart and Merryl Werber.

And while Stewart and Werber bring with them a new platform and vision, they must not forget the slew of old problems waiting for them.

Within the next few months a lot will be happening at this University:

-- University President Joab Thomas will present the Faculty Senate's recommendation for a sexual orientation clause to the University Board of Trustees at their May meeting.

-- The Board of Trustees could announce more than the already-planned 6 percent tuition increase for next semester during one of their summer meetings.

-- The administration will begin fund-raising efforts for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

-- A state legislator will introduce a bill requiring Penn State to open its budget.

During this time of change students need more than services -- they need strong student advocates.

Students need advocates who will not only seek to enhance student life by providing new services like the use of meal points downtown, but who will work diligently to restore the student services which have been lost due to funding cuts, like library hours.

Throughout the USG elections Stewart focused on his role on the President's Council on Recruitment and Retention. While working with the administration is good, developing strong relationships with underrepresented groups is just as beneficial.

By winning the USG executive elections, Stewart and Werber have the voters' support. But in order to make USG successful, the new executives must motivate students to get involved in USG committees and departments.

In order to help maintain stability, the new administration must also tap into the experience of other student leaders and the abilities of some of their fellow USG candidates.

Making the USG Senate as effective as the USG business division is another important aspect to having a successful year. In Werber's new role in the senate, she must take the opportunity to make the senate a strong branch of USG.

Stewart and Werber have ambitious plans for the upcoming year. Last Wednesday they won the support to accomplish them. They shouldn't let that momentum fizzle out.