STUDENT SHOWS POLITICS AT ITS BEST

When Tom Shupe, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, raised questions about recent student government elections, he did so as a two-time winner.

First, Shupe had won his Senate seat representing off-campus students. Second, he believed problems with the election should be corrected, even though his own election was already decided.

A committee listened to the election problems and decided to have another election for some student government candidates whose races may have been affected.

The good news is that a candidate in the winning column took the high road when he saw election irregularities. It is further good news that students will have another opportunity to vote for some senators.

The not-so-good news is that student government doesn't seem to be a high priority for many Southeast students. Voting turnout is poor, to say the least. Student government provides crucial representation and makes important decisions that involve spending thousands of dollars -- dollars paid in the form of some student fees, for example.

It would be nice to think students who are given another opportunity to participate in choosing student government leaders will choose to take it.