Student Government elections are five months away, which leads the discussion of who our next student leaders will be.

The Pacer sees the need for a spark to set off campus wide discussion of what has been accomplished this year and what needs to be done in 2004. With the entire country focusing on the major political issues facing our nation, why not bring it to the campus level?

There are a few hindrances to the discussion occurring, however. Current election guidelines prevent a potential candidate from publicly campaigning (a very vague term, which means even declaring your candidacy) before a certain date, a violation of election guidelines, prompting disqualification.

Last Spring, this was less than a week before the polls opened.

While we are not advocating posters, sidewalk chalk, and being pelted with candy to start as early as Jan. 12, the guidelines need to be relaxed.

It is our desire to publish written debates between candidates, write profile stories of people with new ideas, even do some poll work as early as March.

Allowing campaigning to start sooner will also lessen the importance of the mad dash to Kinko’s for hundreds of flyers. Voters will focus more on what the candidate has to say instead of who can get a friend to design pretty posters or wear a sandwich board.

We feel that the student body is in need of an influx of new ideas and interest in student leadership positions.

The Student Government has its hands publicly tied if it remains a mystery how to get involved in the process.