In an effort to curb corruption in our own Student Government, the Student Senate has decided to pass landmark ethics reform legislation. Apparently, Student Government officials now have obtained so much power and influence on our campus that the decisions they make on behalf of the student body could be influenced by having their dinner bought for them or being given a small token of appreciation.

But we can’t blame those groups who would attempt to buy off these influential people — who could resist being so close to that kind of power? University administrators that have to resort to buying dinners and other gifts, regardless of cost, to sway a student leader’s opinion obviously know what they’re doing.

Much of this legislation stems from issues the Student Senate had with former Student Body President Whil “the Pirate Captain” Piavis. A few years ago the Student Senate attempted to impeach the infamous captain of the ship. One of the rationales for the attempted impeachment was he had a “breach of ethical duty” by “accepting valuable gifts from the University or its agents.” Such copious gifts included cloths and a cell phone.

During his term as the head of the ship, Piavis accumulated so much clout and authority on campus that his allegedly receiving gifts would have made a drastic impact on his decisions. In light of this and the student body officers getting meal plans they feel that they could become corrupt.

Student Government yields the power to affect monumental change on campus — like increasing the cup size in the dining hall or creat another task force. Wanting to avoid a Jack Abramoff-esque controversy, this legislation requires officials to report anything they touch worth any value to the “Office of Student Governmental Accountability and Standards.”

If an individual that receives funds from Student Government fails to report that gift of a pet rock that the vice chancellor of grass management gives him or her, then they will have their salary frozen from the heat of the pocket.

It’s great to see that our student politicians are finally taking ethics seriously, just like their counterparts in Washington, D.C. With the kind of earth-shaking power a student officer’s vote carries it would be horrible to have their decision swayed by getting a 99 cent cheeseburger from the dollar menu at McDonald’s.