The acronyms are out of control when it comes to groups that are supposed to advocate on the behalf of Penn State students.

We've got USG, UPUA, BOT, GSA and a bunch of others all competing for the attention of a few influential individuals to listen and agree with their cause.

With only four years as students and usually a far shorter time as student leaders, the window of opportunity for these student representatives to make their case and ultimately make a difference for Penn State students is a small one, to say the least.

Every year there are proposals from USG candidates to improve the Centre Area Transportation Authority's (CATA) service for students. Ideas always abound but are rarely successful when it comes to shortening gym lines. And few have ever been successful at convincing either the State College Borough Council or Penn State administrators that we need more lights on campus and downtown.

In fact, most student leaders have traditionally spent more time talking about themselves than they've spent actually effecting change at this university.

Then there's the Board of Trustees, an organization comprising folks from across the state who are delegated the task of overseeing the large-scale operations of Penn State University. This organization is responsible for keeping the university president, presently Graham Spanier, in check when it comes to big issues and big decisions.

They don't necessarily work for the students, but by the nature of their position on the board these people have the opportunity to make life considerably better - or worse - for Penn State students.

When you think about it, the Board of Trustees has as much to do with rising tuition costs as does Spanier and the state legislature.

But politics aside, all of these groups need to understand from the beginning of the academic year how crucial it is that they consider the needs of the students who keep this university in business.

The first Board of Trustees meeting of the academic year will be held today. UPUA elections will be held next month; and GSA and USG have begun their yearly projects.

But we implore you all as you begin your yearly plans, work for us. You are our representatives and it is not a job to be taken lightly.

BOT members, we appreciate your time and effort as trustees, but when you make your decisions today, please consider the average student. We're trying to keep up with the yearly tuition increases, but you're making it a little hard on us.

UPUA, please stop this buddy-buddy act with the administration. Effective student representation needs to work well with student affairs, but not be controlled by it.

GSA, your idea to provide students with a $5 bus pass is convenient and practical. We appreciate your efforts to work on behalf of the students.

USG, we commend you on trying to stick it out even though the university is failing to recognize you. The trust test of your merit will be your projects for the year. If you effectively reach goals and make concrete changes for the students, you will show whether you are the true student government or not.