Go vote

Brush up on the candidates' platforms and cast a ballot today

It's go time.

Well, it's time to vote for the Undergraduate Student Government administration. Whether it becomes go time is up to you.

Everyone knows that Joe and Joan Students say they don't care about USG. They say that USG doesn't do a thing for them.

Do you take advantage of the 24-hour HUB? USG helped make that happen. How happy were you when classes were canceled the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving? A branch of USG was influential in that decision.

"The students elected today will represent all University Park students on each of those issues and much, much more."

And now it's time for you to think about what other things you would like to see at the University. There are six tickets on the ballot, various write-in tickets and a wide array of issues and platform goals to choose from.

Freshmen, here's your chance to make a difference. You will probably be more affected than anyone else by these elections. General education requirements are changing, tuition goes up each year and living in temporary housing is for the birds. The students elected today will represent all University Park students on each of those issues and much, much more.

If you have somehow managed to miss all of the campaign fliers, the debates and The Daily Collegian's coverage of the candidates, take five minutes before you vote and read the USG voter's guide and the Collegian's elections page, both in today's paper. Then take five more minutes and vote for the candidates you want to represent you next year.

You have to show your student ID, fill out a ballot (they'll supply the pencils) and then you can get on with your day. If you want to endorse a write-in candidate, you need to ask for a special form.

Be aware that where you live dictates where you vote. On-campus students vote in their respective commons areas. If you live in the fraternities, vote in the HUB or at Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave. Other off-campus students can cast their votes in the HUB, at the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave., and at University Gates at the corner of Allen Street and College Avenue.

And remember that you won't only be voting in the next USG president and vice president. Today's election will determine the next USG Senate and who will sit on the University Park Allocation Committee among other things. And all of these positions will directly affect each student.

You've all heard the reasons why it's important to vote. You've all heard the reasons why USG is important to students. And if nothing else, it's April Fools' Day; have some fun.