Will we finally have an exceptional Government of the Student Body president?

Angela Groh was elected with a stunning 3,600 votes, more than any GSB president in recent history — perhaps ever. The effectiveness of her campaign cannot be questioned. Now the focus has shifted to the quality of her leadership, and for that we do have some concerns — and some advice.

Groh shares some similarities with current GSB President Sophia Magill. They both serve as GSB executives this year, they’re in the same sorority and Groh has praised Magill for her presidency. This disturbs us. Last year the Daily chose not to endorse Magill, predicting that she would continue the status quo. We believe that prediction has been borne out — Magill has accomplished nothing of any worth for Iowa State.

Groh, though, has accomplished much with her two years as GSB director of government relations. She created the ISU Ambassadors, a program geared toward getting ISU news out to every county in the state and lobbying the state Legislature. She started Meet the Future of Iowa, an event where student leaders meet state leaders over food and entertainment. And she has organized Regents Day at the Capitol, a coordinated lobbying effort from more than 100 students from the three Regent universities.

The first thing we would like to see is for Groh to clearly stand up for students. Magill was never visible on issues where students felt they were being disrespected or oppressed. Although it isn’t clear that a more vocal condemnation of such actions would do anything to prevent them, it certainly would earn respect from the student body — including us.

The second thing Groh can do to be an effective GSB president is put the students ahead of her own ambitions. She has made many connections in her current position, as someone with political goals, those connections will no doubt come in handy in the future. But if it comes down to offending some of her new friends to accomplish something significant for students, Groh should not hesitate to do so.

The last thing a GSB president needs to do is something in which Groh has shown considerable ability. Implementing practical improvements that impact student life is the best way to show GSB is relevant. Pick-a-Prof, the housing guide and the party guide are three things that will be of obvious help. This would be an exciting agenda were it not already mostly complete. If Groh can bring more ideas like these to Iowa State, she will be the first president in years to leave a bona fide legacy — that would be a welcome change.