Penn State needs undergraduate leaders who understand what student needs are, but to get those needs met, the leaders also must know how the university works.

Rubina Javeri (junior-finance and international business) and Kris Ankarlo (senior-journalism) are the best candidates for Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president because they have identified real problems -- and they have come up with real solutions.

They plan to develop an online course waiting list, expand hours of on-campus eateries, create an online appointment system for University Health Services and organize a union of off-campus students.

Javeri and Ankarlo have thoroughly researched their platform goals and begun work on plans to implement them. Their goals are specific and achievable, and they have a good sense of direction.

For example, Javeri and Ankarlo recognize that student health care is a problem. But, rather than just saying UHS needs to be improved, they have developed a feasible plan to make it better. The candidates propose creating an online appointment system so sick students can schedule medical attention without standing in line or dealing with constant busy signals on the phone.

Javeri and Ankarlo already contacted UHS officials and have begun planning the Web site.

Through the years, other campaigns have promised to extend UHS's hours, which has proven to be an elusive goal. Javeri and Ankarlo's approach is fresh and workable.

What Javeri and Ankarlo have not done also sets them apart from their competition. They have not promised to lower tuition or fix the diversity problems on campus.

They recognize that it will not be within their power as undergraduate student leaders to single-handedly change these things with a catchy campaign slogan. They recognize that tuition and diversity are things that need constant attention, not quick fixes.

Their previous work on these issues stands as solid evidence of their commitment to these problems.

What they have done is focus their platform on small, yet feasible, goals that will greatly impact and improve student lives.

Their background shows that they have the experience to get things done. Javeri has been part of USG for three years. She's served as internal development director, chief of staff and community education chair.

Ankarlo is president of Council of Commonwealth Student Governments. Considering the many internal problems USG, particularly senate, has had this year, some could argue that endorsing a USG "insider" is like endorsing another year of bickering, political games and inefficiency.

But Javeri's executive branch experience and Ankarlo's CCSG background allow the pair to be "insiders" with an "outside" perspective.

They recognize that USG has had its problems this year, but they also can see how certain improvements, such as better communication between the branches, can take next year's USG in a different direction.

Of all the candidates for USG president and vice president this year, Javeri and Ankarlo will serve as the best student leaders.

We are especially confident in Javeri's record and expect to see strong leadership from her.