Last week's New Hampshire primary proved that voters want to send a message to President Bush.

Almost 40 percent of Republicans delivered their message by supporting Pat Buchanan and showing the country just how fed up people are with the current economic problems.

With the state primary coming up on April 28, University students have a chance to send Bush their own message.

But to do that students need to register to vote with either the Democratic and Republican Party at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte by March 30. Or even easier, students can mail in their registration cards, which are available at Schlow Library or the State College Borough Building. And for the procrastinators, the local League of Women Voters will sponsor a registration drive at the Nittany Mall on March 28 from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

The primary is important because it will determine who will run for the presidency. In making a decision students should know where the candidates stand on the issues essential to them and the ideas they have to rescue the economy.

According to polls, many who voted for former U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas admitted they did not want him to become president. So students must be knowledgeable about the candidates and know why they believe one particular leader will best solve the country's problems. A protest vote will do more harm than good if the voters do not believe in the person they vote for.

It does not take much effort to learn about the candidates -- most newspapers and TV news programs are following the race closely.

There are also student organizations that can provide information about the candidates. Anyone looking for information about where the candidates stand on key issues can contact either the College Republicans or College Democrats on campus.

Voting in the state primary is a chance to guide the country's future. By not voting, the message you want to send may never be heard.