Undergraduate Student Government (USG) representatives are doing something today they should be -- and should have been -- doing a lot more often.

Three student leaders are meeting with several members of Congress in Harrisburg throughout the day to lobby for more state appropriations to Penn State.

It's encouraging to see that some elected representatives are taking action on the behalf of all students' interests.

However, initiatives such as these are something we should not only see once a year.

If USG members are truly serious about lobbying, rather than simply making the trip as a public relations move, they should be doing so more often and when it counts most.

This is the first time in more than a year that USG has lobbied in Harrisburg. In February, USG members cancelled their only trip of the Spring Semester after a key member could not attend. News of the cancellation came after USG's governmental relations director said the trip had occurred, when in fact it had not. But this is a new group of USG representatives and it's nice to see those new members taking on this initiative. This needs to be a trend that continues.

USG members have to meet more frequently with members of Congress if they are to build any kind of relationship with them.

If USG members can only garner the motivation to visit Harrisburg once a year, legislators are less likely to take the lobbyists seriously.

Without a constant lobbying effort, legislators are more likely to brush off anything the lobbyists say, not expecting to have to deal with them for another year or so.

Also, those organizing the trips say lobbying is more effective with fewer people, because it allows more one-on-one contact with the legislators.

But the few people traveling to Harrisburg will not gain clout or respect if the legislators see only new faces once a year, instead of becoming familiar with the USG members more than once a year.

This trip is a great way to show students and legislators they are serious about representing student interests.

Tuition is perhaps the most important issue for students. As such, it should be a top priority for student representatives.

Hopefully, today's trip to Harrisburg will mark a new focus on lobbying for Penn State's student representatives.