The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) will survey students next spring to gauge their understanding of USG and its goals.

USG President Ian Rosenberger said the survey will help USG discover how students feel they are affected by USG.

This is a great move for USG. Finally, USG members will get to see what their constituents think of them. It may be distressing, it may be eye opening, it may be mind boggling, but the information is what is going to matter for the future of USG. This is a group that really can have an affect on this university and what it can do for students.

The survey will be a valuable tool for USG members. It is important for an organization such as USG to know how it is perceived by the people it represents.

If the survey shows that the student body is well informed on USG's procedures and goals, the it will be a source of affirmation and positive reinforcement for members.

But if the survey shows that the student body is not well informed on USG, this could be equally as valuable.

The survey results could help members understand what areas of USG students are confused about. This would give members direction in their public relations efforts. These efforts are important because in order for students to utilize their leaders, they have to know how they operate.

Because of these many potential benefits, USG members should carefully examine the results of the survey and then act on them. Do not let the process of conducting the survey be enough. Seize the opportunity this survey offers. Do not let the results simply be made into a report that is presented at a senate meeting and then shoved in a drawer.

And students, when the survey is passed out during class, pay attention to it. Give thoughtful responses. This survey could help improve the relationship between the student body and the organization that represents it.

Do your part to help this relationship.