The Government of the Student Body officially changed the guard this week, saying goodbye to former executives Emily Jensen and Sara Faber and inaugurating new president Brian Phillips and vice president Ian Guffy.

Also this week, Jensen said she and Faber had accomplished much of what they set out to do. Although we greatly appreciate their service to the ISU community, we feel their campaign goals – increase communication, control tuition and follow through with the Multicultural Center – weren’t so clearly achieved.

Jensen cited communication had improved through several channels. Two in particular were the new GSB Web site, launched in the fall, and the president’s blog. However, senators’ profiles are very hit-and-miss with useful information, and many are still empty. Worse yet, the president’s blog was last updated in November 2006 – more of an eyesore than an accomplishment.

As far as tuition goes, GSB did fairly well, but we feel the new administration had more to do with providing more money to the regent universities. Also, we can’t forget GSB endorsed the $100-per-semester energy surcharge, an extra fee that got its feet while most students were away for the summer.

While we appreciate the effort to see through with the new Multicultural Center, we question Jensen’s assertion that it is the answer to the diversity challenges that Iowa State faces. As an answer to the homogeneity people perceive at Iowa State it seems superficial, and as students are again footing the bill for it, it seems quite forced.

As we look toward the next school year, it’s important we look back as well. We hope Phillips and Guffy have learned from some of the weaknesses of the Jensen-Faber administration and we hope they are able to follow through with their promises.