With politicians in Washington, D.C., legislators in Harrisburg and parents at home, University students are not in great need of another governing body.

So why do we have the Undergraduate Student Government?

Politicians in Washington, D.C., legislators in Harrisburg and psuedo-parents in Old Main.

Getting past the semantics of the matter, student government members at Penn State don't really govern anyone -- they'll be the first to admit that. But as students we need them to represent us when legislators at the national and state level and administrators in our own backyard are making decisions that affect us.

Having been the student government reporter the previous two semesters, I've had the benefit of seeing student government at work. From former USG President Rob Kampia calling USG senators "twinkies," to hearing USG Senate President Mike King using the word "myriad" more than I've ever wanted, I've heard one similar feeling from most in the infamous "HUB club" -- student government is in great need of change.

With the turn of events last week in the Executive Student Action Council and rumors running rampant of further upheaval, there is a need for a new direction. A direction only restructuring can offer.

Currently, Penn State lacks a consolidated and powerful mechanism to represent students to Old Main administrators. Too often the different student groups are played off each other or duplicate efforts limiting their effectiveness.

Last April several student leaders were working on a proposal to restructure student government into a unified and stronger student association. They cited the fact that Penn State seemed to be less organized than other Big Ten schools as a reason to do this.

But what has happened since that proposal was brought public? Supposedly there are several plans in the works, but nothing concrete. Shouldn't we resolve this issue now, before student government elections are held this semester?

Why not use the one proposed last spring? Aside from a few minor adjustments, which I will gladly share because that's what former student government reporters like to do, I would support last spring's proposal as a viable option.

But instead of four branches let's have five such as:

-- Executive: The executive branch would contain a president and vice president popularly elected by the student body. The president would have their executive department heads in which they would appoint, along with a treasurer and whatever executive assistants they need. Notice there would be no Business Department -- we'll touch on that later.

-- Legislative: Let's have a bi-cameral legislature with a senate similar to the current USG model of 25 to 30 popularly elected students from the various living areas of town, fraternity and the residence hall areas -- with an internally elected Senate president.

The other body would consist of some members of the embattled Executive Student Action Council give or take a few members with a speaker of the house (internally elected). A couple of minority organizations that are not now represented on ESAC need to be added, while organizations such as the Student Organization Budget Committee, Association of Residence Hall Students, Organization of Town Independent Student and the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments need to have their seats relinquished.

SOBC and CCSG don't worry, I have other plans for you. ARHS and OTIS your concerns should be addressed by the senate since they will represent the different living areas and it would be repetitive to have them in the house of delegates.

-- Judicial: It would be similar to the branch currently existing, with it's members appointed by the executive and approved by the senate.

-- Academic: This would basically be the Academic Assembly, but as its own branch.

-- Ways and Means: Granted it needs a better name, but the SOBC people can calm down now. You might have lost your seat in the house of delegates, but you now have your own branch with a business department to generate more money for the student association.

To facilitate communication and coordination of projects, representatives of the the five branches -- the president and vice president of the student association, the senate president and speaker of the house of delegates, academic branch coordinator and head of the ways and means committee -- plus the CCSG coordinator, president of the Graduate Student Association and the student trustee would form a council to meet one or two times a month.

There is a need for a stronger voice for students. And there is a need for more students to get involved and take an interest in student government.

Sometimes we at The Daily Collegian and those in student government might take ourselves too seriously, but then again our experiences in college are preparing us for life. Tuition hikes, funding for higher education and quality of teaching at the University are important issure to students, and we must have a serious student organization to address our concerns.