I am writing to encourage graduate students to participate in the Graduate Student Senate election today. Although the election is uncontested, it is important that graduate students participate, regardless of whether they choose to support the listed candidates or a write-in candidate. Graduate participation in the elections lends authority to the institution, making officeholders better advocates for graduate interests. This year, through the efforts of the senate and the graduate community, substantive improvements in the lives of graduate students took place, such as the subsidization of graduate health care costs, and a reduction in our general fee. These efforts are possible because the graduate community took the time to support Graduate Student Senate and each other in these endeavors. Further, voting is easy. Between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., you can either follow the link in the mass email you will receive today for the ballot, go through the GSS webpage at www.ohio.edu/gss to the voting link, go through the OU student site and www.ohio.edu/students or find one of the voting stations available in Baker University Center. However you choose to vote, your participation ensures that Graduate Student Senate as an institution remains strong.

Peter Wickman is a candidate for Graduate Student Senate president.