Yesterday, it was with great skepticism that I read another "official" opinion cast by the Collegian informing for whom we should vote ("Johnson and Lenn should lead"). The past has proven that what the Collegian thinks is best is not necessarily in the students' best interests. I need only to refer you to the fall election, in which the Collegian endorsed Jay Bundy who made a fool of the UPUA in its infancy. As an Elections Appeals Board member, I must remain impartial, so I cannot divulge my own opinions on whom I think will run UPUA best. No matter. As intelligent students at University Park, you hardly need me to tell you for whom you should vote.

While you are reading opinions and observing campaign paraphernalia, I encourage Penn State students to formulate their own opinions -- to become informed about the future of student representation. What you should base your opinion and subsequent vote on is whether you feel a candidate has proven both that they truly care about representation at Penn State and that they have the track record to prove that they can do the job effectively. Furthermore, it is imperative that each student takes the time to formulate their own opinion and not rely upon others to provide it.

I would just like to express my hope that everyone casts an informed ballot, and I applaud those who are running. As my time at Penn State comes to a close, I am pleased and thankful that I was able to serve the students. In one year, we have turned a lackluster document and a few interested students into a fully-functional and altogether capable body of student advocates.

It is my sincere hope that the legacy we have strived to build is not merely maintained. Rather, with the foundation laid, the coming years can and must ring in a new era of student advocacy at Penn State.