Leave it to the Government of the Student Body to close out the year with a bang. After a heated debate Wednesday night, the GSB senate voted 9-23 against a bill that would have implemented a professional dress code for GSB meetings.

Wow, and we thought GSB took themselves too seriously before.

Thankfully, 23 members of GSB realize that this is a political body made up of students, not politicians. Twenty-year-old econ majors in suit and tie are still 20-year-old econ majors.

But the question needs to be asked: Who were these nine people? Here’s hoping they voted for the bill merely as a gag. Or maybe it was a mistake. Maybe they were in the bathroom, and rushed back and said “yes” without realizing what they were voting for.

“Looking professional will gather more respect and help GSB be taken more seriously,” said Ben Albright, agriculture senator. “Government officials and representatives should be held to higher standards because they have been elected or appointed.”

Exactly. Agree 100 percent. “Government” officials should be taken more seriously. “Government” officials should gather more respect. But GSB senators are not government officials in the sense of the word. Yes, they are elected representatives of ISU students, but if GSB is interested in being taken more seriously by students, they should think about starting by taking themselves less seriously.

There is a lot of dissent on campus directed toward GSB. And a big reason for that is the fact that they spend time in heated debates about topics like these. Or the “hat bill.” Or multi-hour discussions about bylaws and punctuation.

Andy Walling, GSB director of campus awareness, put it best. His words are maybe the best detailed criticism of the bill.

“This might be taking ourselves a little too seriously. We are not professional politicians. We are students,” he said. Walling said there are plenty of other ways GSB can work to better their image with the ISU community.

“Do that through your actions and your words,” he said. “You don’t need a dress code to be professional.”

That’s exactly right. And in fact, it should be taken a step further. The best way to improve their image would be to lighten up. Maybe even dress down a little.

Perhaps they can learn a lesson from the University of Iowa. This past election, candidates dressed up as Tigger and Winnie the Pooh and went sledding. Sure, that doesn’t sound very professional. Then again, neither does a hat bill. At least T.J. Schneider in a Pooh Bear outfit will garner a few laughs.

Now obviously, if GSB has to go talk to the Board of Regents or the Iowa Legislature, the Tigger outfit should be put away for the suit and tie. But that goes without saying.

Forcing a GSB senator to dress up for a weekly meeting would do nothing but further alienate GSB members from the rest of campus. They made a wise decision to vote down the bill. Now bring on Pooh and Tigger.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Charlie Weaver, Omar Tesdell