The Students’ Association elections are over, the results are in and candidates finally can put away their megaphones, Snuggie YouTube videos and “bridge the gap” buttons. But while winning candidates can take a break from campaigning, their work is far from complete.

Congratulations to you: President Charles Gaines, Vice President Tony Godfrey and Treasurer Luke Cochran.

You, the new executive officers of SA Congress, have been elected by us, the student body; now work hard to make this opportunity count. You are our voices, our leaders, our representatives to the administration. Do not let campaign promises become empty talk. Fulfill your obligations to us, and we will support you. With more than 4,000 students behind you, your bills and resolutions will not pass as a mere whisper to the administration, they will be a cohesive shout.

President-elect Charles Gaines, you promised to work with the administration to have better meal plan options and longer library hours. You said you want to increase awareness about other religions through forums and discussions and find every scholarship opportunity you can and post them on a weekly basis. You also stressed accountability to students, the Optimist and other members of Congress and promised to never close an SA Congress meeting. To rebuild relationships, you said you will create monthly updates in the Optimist and an eat-lunch-with-the-president program. But most importantly, you said your vision is to develop a Christ-centered organization that leads by example.

If you ignore your promises and commitments, you are ignoring the mandate we gave you. We, the student body, will hold you accountable. We voted for you based on your promises, platforms and character, so stay true to these attributes. Do not fail us.

Vice President-elect Tony Godfrey, you said your No. 1 goal would be to create a long-lasting and close relationship built upon care, community and mutual respect between Congress and the student body. You promised to listen and meet our needs. You also highlighted student concerns you would address next year, including creating monthly forums, discovering the whereabouts of our unused meal plans, working to have no differentiation between Bean Bucks and Campus Cash, bringing meal plans back to Java City and opening dialogue between students and the administration about the rising cost of tuition.

We, the student body, will hold you accountable. Do not fail us.

Treasurer-elect Luke Cochran, you said you would work to build lasting relationships with student groups and the administration. You promised to proactively use the SA budget to ensure every student receives benefits, and you said you would create an environment where students feel comfortable providing suggestions for that budget. You said you would limit the spending on office supplies so more funds can go to student groups and you would work with those student groups to seek alternative means of support like fundraising. You promised to empower student groups and enable them to grow as Congress moves forward with its goals.

We, the student body, will hold you accountable. Do not fail us.

And we, the Optimist, will hold you accountable. As the media, we play a vital role by covering Congress meetings. We keep you responsible to the student body by reporting your actions and use of funds. Do not close your meetings to the public. Do not hide yourselves from us. Each of you has spoken of transparency, honesty and openness. Fulfill these commitments. Do not let the 2009-10 SA Congress be defined as a lame duck student government that conducts itself in secrecy. We need representatives with character, passion and drive. We need an Executive Cabinet that will earn respect from the administration and its constituents. We need committed, Christ-like leaders who will strive to improve this campus for all students.

Be these leaders, be our voice. Do not fail us.