Interest in the Undergraduate Student Government is anything but impressive.

That is clear as the USG elections approach with only three candidates vying for the USG helm. In addition, few students attended the first USG candidate debate last Thursday.

This speaks to the current USG administration's failure to spur interest in government. One USG candidate suggested that many students do not even know the name of the current USG president.

Two years ago, interest in USG was much higher following the active administration of Seth Williams and Amy Manderino. Their high-profile term sparked seven candidates for USG office in 1989-90.

Now, after several years of "service-oriented" administrations that inspired little, if any, activism, student interest is at a low.

Students must make themselves aware of the issues and take the initiative to be active since USG has failed to provide the necessary stimulus.

This year's candidates are:

-- Rob Kampia and Beth Schneck. Kampia (senior-engineering science) is president of Penn State National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and a former Daily Collegian columnist. Schneck (junior-English) volunteers for the Women's Resource Center and is president of the Anthropology Club.

-- Jim Ryerson and Candice Anderson. Ryerson (junior-labor and industrial relations) is the USG executive assistant and a former USG senator. Anderson (junior-political science) is the USG Legal Affairs staff coordinator and the vice president for membership at Delta Gamma sorority, 10 Shulze.

-- Rich Schaffer and Chris Groton. Schaffer (junior-political science) was the Delaware County Campus student government vice president and is an ROTC member. Groton (junior-political science) is also an ROTC member and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 417 E. Prospect Ave.

The candidates will debate twice this week -- the first is at 7 tonight in the HUB Fishbowl and the second is at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Fishbowl.

Students should attend these debates and learn about each candidate's ideas before the April 1 election. If students do not vote for the leaders who they believe will do the most for Penn State, they are perpetuating the USG's ineffectiveness.