Every time an election rolls around, it is said that college students are lazy, apathetic and could care less about whom their elected officials are.

Maybe that perception will change as more Iowa State students are not just voting in the elections, they’re running in them.

Starlene Rankin, graduate student in journalism and mass communication, and former Government of the Student Body President Bryan Burkhardt, senior in computer engineering, have both announced their plans to run for office.

Rankin is looking to promote the arts by seeking a position on the Ames City Council, while Burkhardt says he wants to make Iowa more “neighbor friendly” while serving on the Des Moines City Council.

More importantly, both have said in interviews with the Daily that they want to get students more involved in the political process and make sure that youth gets its say.

“I’d like to treat [the students] equally,” Rankin said, while Burkhardt said it is crucial to get their voices heard. “Taking younger opinions into consideration when making municipal improvements and policy changes has been minimal in the past,” he said.

The Daily isn’t necessarily endorsing either candidate for office, but the fact remains that the spirit behind both these students’ campaigns is admirable.

Both these students are bucking the system, defying the common adage that students can’t be troubled with more than their social lives.

Rankin, a seasoned activist, spends her time riffing on political issues on her public access show, “Green TV.” And Burkhardt, who could be spending his senior year loafing around, has decided to embark on an ambitious campaign because he says he truly cares about Iowans.

Whether the duo wins or loses come election time isn’t as significant as the fact that they are trying to defy the odds and make a difference for students.

And whether you agree with Burkhardt’s or Rankin’s politics is one issue, but the ISU community, which typically is far away from the polls on election day, can learn something from them.

Both are heavily active in issues, and they credit their activism with teaching them life lessons that are preparing them for their runs for office.

So wake up, ISU. Learn about the candidates’ platforms. Get involved in an issue you care about. Go to Government of the Student Body meetings or e-mail your Inter-Residence Hall Association representative.

And if you don’t like the way the system is working, take another lesson from Rankin and Burkhardt — try to change it.