This letter is written on behalf of the Lion's Paw Senior Society. Lately, the news has been filled with coverage of issues affecting students, from tuition to diversity to Undergraduate Student Government (USG) in-fighting. If you have been turned off these debates, you are not alone. Sometimes it seems one student's voice goes unheard at a university that is 80,000 strong. To keep silent, however, is to guarantee you will never be heard.

Many groups of student leaders have strong voices across the university community. Unfortunately, these voices often do not represent all students. Further, the resonating voice of thousands is the only force that can truly compel change. Presently, Penn State students have much at stake. This is our time to be loud. Upset about tuition? Talk about it. Worried about diversity issues? Talk about it. Want quality student representation? Perhaps it is time to yell. A respected and effective student government is essential to Penn State's efforts to be a student-centered university.

Whatever your view on any important issue, please make your voice heard. All it takes is a conversation with another student or a class discussion. Talk to professors. Send e-mail to your representatives (www.clubs.psu.edu/usg). If you feel strongly about the USG impeachment, make your voice heard in Alumni Hall at 8 tonight. What is the foundation of this university? Students. You hold the power; please use it to make sure our community continues to move in the right direction.