The tone has changed. The faces are new. The gavel has been passed.

With the inauguration of the newest Student Government Association Senate comes a new beginning for this group of student leaders.

Many of the old faces remain-Matt Love, Nick Fagan, Mike Benoist, John Eckert, Deanna Durrett, among others-but many new faces will grace the table-Brian Altenhofen, Mike Rozier, Luke Young, Ron Pares, Nora Davis and many more. Freshmen will be added and vacant seats will soon be filled.

After two years of the Perry Administration, fresh faces and a new executive board will have their opportunity to redefine SGA.

SGA President Mike Cappel enters as an experienced SLU student now entering his fifth year. His strong background and leadership experience should provide the senate with strength and direction.

Beyond that, Cappel enters with enthusiasm and emotion, something often missing in the last administration. Hopefully this enthusiasm will spill over into an often unmotivated and lackluster senate.

Behind Cappel stands a talented and refreshing executive board.

Executive Vice President Babette Thornton emanates an aura of confidence and determination. Her experience with the Black Student Alliance will assist her in working with the variety of chartered student organizations.

Academic Vice President Matt Love promises to be as vocal and involved as always with his many academic issues and projects.

Financial Vice President Chris Avery has the financial mind to master budgetary concerns while tackling tuition increases and student activity funding.

Administrative Vice President Brian Altenhofen brings a fresh mind and outside perspective to the group.

But Cappel and his executive board are just one part of the equation.

SLU needs good senators-willing to listen to their constituents, to work for effective solutions to the issues and to represent more than their own viewpoints.

All too often, it becomes easy for senators to represent their own views before those of their constituents. Senators need to talk and communicate with their constituents on a frequent basis, keeping them informed and up-to-date on current issues.

Mediocrity is unacceptable. Solutions are lost, debate drudges on and the students lose true representation.

Past senates have seen small and large successes but also failures and compromises.

This year the senate should be ready and willing to fight the good fight, to find the issues that matter to students and to continue the successes of the past.

We’re not asking for huge victories; we’re asking for action-consistent and deliberate progress toward improving the life of each student at SLU.