It's the time of year when Marquette students go to the polls and elect next year's student government. Once again, it is important for students to find out what each candidate stands for and vote accordingly. It is this process that decides whether we get a competent student government or one making outrageous promises that cannot be fulfilled. Without endorsing any candidate in particular, we at the editorial board came up with some issues we would like to see next year's student government address.

The first basic thing is that whoever gets elected this year has reasonable, attainable goals. This is not to say they should aim low, but rather not to get too ambitious. Promising something like massage parlors for all dorms would be a valiant and desirable goal, but would hardly fall into the realm of what could be considered reasonable.

Marquette Student Government represents student interests and should reflect student desires. An example would be a recently proposed idea for having a homecoming in the fall. If a majority of students supported such a proposal, MUSG should do its best to make it happen.

Another goal we would like to see from the new MUSG would be an increase in the amount of money given in Printwise accounts. The current level has been brought up as a problem for not being enough and MUSG should respond. This would be something that should be within MUSG power to influence.

One of the most important things that MUSG does is work with a large budget. While there are no large discrepancies in the way the money is being handled now, there could be some reform in how that money is allocated. Some groups have had problems with getting the prescribed amount of funds they were entitled to. Another reform should be to change the fact that first year groups do not get funding from the school. This should be changed since it is often the newest groups that really need the money to get established. We hope shoring up these small problems is a goal for next year.

Improving communications should also be a top priority for next year. The current system should be streamlined to allow easier communication between student groups and the administration. Another practical goal would be to increase active outreach to collect and interpret information. Going out to the students rather than waiting for them to come to you is something MUSG should strive to do.

Additionally, MUSG needs to work for prudent, transparent constraints on various political, social, or cultural events sponsored by student groups. Such constraints should be consistently enforced to prevent any accusations of politically motivated bias and future bad press for the university. For example, the College Republicans were shut down for 'Adopt a Sniper' during Mission Week, and MUSG should prevent any student organization from sponsoring 'Hug a Terrorist" during War Week.

We present these ideas for a fruitful and productive MUSG for 2005-06.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Mar. 10 2005.