In response to the Collegian editorial, "Wrong direction," we must, again, "make ourselves heard." Let us begin with the premise that we ran on an agenda which the omniscient, omnipotent Collegian did not approve of, and therefore, we will be damned to the fiery pit of Collegian criticism for our term of office -- if not eternity.

From the beginning, we have stated that we had two main goals: to have a direct impact on students' lives, and to provide active, effective representation for the student body. The All-Knowing One seems to think we have done a pretty good job on the service side. They mentioned the HUB Eateries, the buses to away games and voter registration. They failed to mention that we organized the first Into the Streets program, have worked on Eating Disorders Awareness Week, are holding a teleconference on the Earth Summit, are pressuring the University to hire new doctors who can perform the Criminal Evidence Examination at Ritenour Health Center and the list goes on.

Our sins seem to fall on the side of advocacy -- let us confess. Since we have been in office, we have travelled to Harrisburg to lobby for state appropriations and fifth-year Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Act. We have established the first ever Undergraduate Student Government and Commonwealth Campus Student Government grass roots lobbying effort, utilizing the Commonwealth Campuses to reach legislators in their districts. We led a drive to save the Penn State Dialysis Unit. We participated in testimony before the Senate Education Committee on legislation to open the University budget. We have worked to establish an association of Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln and the state system. We have spoken at State College Borough Council on the fair housing issue. We have pressured the University and the Alumni Association all year to establish a grass roots lobbying effort, using the nation's second largest alumni association. We have written congressmen on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and the Andrews Bill. We have initiated attempts to have a Big Ten university hold a 1992 presidential debate. We have spoken to the Board of Trustees on the quality of education, the closed budget and tuition. Finally, we have pressured the Board into having a budget workshop and we initiated and are planning a student run Tuition Workshop: The Silver Anniversary Campaign for 25 years of tuition increases.

We stand proudly on our record of advocacy; the best USG has seen in several years. We have definitely "made ourselves heard," the administration even thinks we are confrontational. (That should make the Collegian happy!) In fact, the Collegian has written articles on most of the accomplishments we have listed, and therefore possessed knowledge of them before they wrote their editorial; perhaps the Collegian's motives should be questioned. We have worked diligently and accomplished much for the student body, and we will not be inaccurately portrayed by the Collegian.

Dear Collegian: it is always easier to criticize than to create or lead. Please forgive us for not having a magic wand. Please forgive us for not being as all-knowing as yourselves.