Our Opinion: Newly-elected officials must advocate for students and use their positions to benefit everyone.

Student Government elections commission chair Andrew Tucker announced at approximately 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning that Jim Ceresnak would be the 2009-10 student body president.

Every candidate for student body president vowed to stay active in the University and we encourage them to pursue leadership roles  around campus. Ceresnak must also take the initiative to reach out a hand to his former opponents and work with them to better the University, because they are all formidable student leaders.

Ceresnak has the responsibility of keeping his campaign promises, which can be found on his Web site jimforsbp.com, such as trying to reschedule spring break to a later date and promoting a culture of mutual respect on campus.

If he wishes to complete at least some of his goals, he must get to work as soon as possible.

Ceresnak has big shoes to fill, and like this year’s Student Body President Jay Dawkins, he must get to work immediately after he takes office. Dawkins worked during the summer of 2008 to fight for more tailgating hours before football games and to fix the ticketing system for athletic events.

Also, if Ceresnak wishes to advocate for students, he must interact with students, be accessible and be visible to the student body.

Ceresnak must find a way to keep in contact with students and have good communication because he is their representative.

Because of his lack of leadership experience at the University, Ceresnak must keep in contact with former student body presidents and have guidance from his predecessors but at the same time be his own person.

Each student gives $10.85 to Student Government every year in student fees, and Ceresnak must make sure it is used wisely.

And to the rest of the newly elected Student Government officials, keep in close contact with the students you represent. And most importantly, allow your constituents to know who you are and what you do.

Be advocates for students, be open to comments and suggestions and work to have stronger college councils.

Every newly elected official must go into their respective positions as an opportunity to represent the student body and serve the University. It is absolutely vital for the student body to get fair representation from student leaders, and newly-elected Student Government officials must work hard to give students a voice so students care about Student Government.