The Undergraduate Student Government is your biggest voice to university administration. As USG elections continue, all students need to become actively involved. USG candidates' campaign slogans may be cliché, but their primary goals are "working for students."

Yet, candidates cannot work for students who does not care. It is quite obvious that student advocacy is dying at Penn State.

Gone are the days of student rallying into the State College Municipal Building to protest discriminatory housing ordinances. Gone are the days of students storming the university president's office for academic changes. This year, the biggest outpouring of student voice was a destructive riot that had no reason.

The first way to bring student involvement back to Penn State is to pay attention to USG campaigns to be able to make an informed decision come election day.

Make USG candidates accountable. Tell them your concerns. Most of all, attend the debates and panel discussion to make a more informed vote.

USG will have a panel discussion 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in 117 Osmond. Fill the seats and make the campaign managers and button pushers stand in the back.

If the candidates do not satisfy you -- run yourself through a write-in campaign. Several areas such as West Halls and Pollock/Nittany have no candidates on the ballot. Even races with candidates on the ballot can be successfully challenged by write-in candidates.

Last year, the USG President Caroline Casagrande and Vice President Brian Olivo were elected by the lowest voter turnout in six years. This year, make USG your voice. This year, give USG the power to represent students.