After Gov. Tom Vilsack’s two months in office, many people have various opinions on how he is faring in the position.

Registered Democrat and Government of the Student Body President Bryan Burkhardt said he thinks Vilsack is doing a good job despite the criticism he has received.

He said Iowans need to let Vilsack “continue to learn all of the aspects of his job” before they judge him.

Vilsack is in a difficult position for the mere fact that things have been “set in stone” for the past 16 years, Burkhardt said. Vilsack will be successful “as long as he has the best interests of Iowans in mind,” he said.

Though the majority of representatives in the Iowa House and Senate are Republican and Vilsack is a Democrat, Burkhardt is remaining optimistic.

“Both parties want the future of Iowa to be the best it can possibly be,” he said.

Steffen Schmidt, professor of political science, also said he felt the party division will not be an obstacle in the road to improve Iowa.

“He is trying to follow a cooperative strategy with the Republican majority in both Iowa Houses,” he said.

Ray Dearin, professor of speech communication and political science, said he feels Vilsack has been a governor for all Iowans, not just Democrats.

“He should be given good marks for trying to reach out to voters who didn’t vote for him,” he said.

Dearin said it will be a major challenge for Vilsack to be as effective as former Gov. Terry Branstad.

“He needs to show new direction without doing anything radical,” Dearin said.

Education has been a strong point for Vilsack, Burkhardt said.

“He has realized and recognized the importance of how education effects the economy and way of life in Iowa,” Burkhardt said.

Although Vilsack has been putting a lot of energy into education, Schmidt said he hasn’t seen any bold moves from the governor’s office.

“Iowa seems timid in exploring new ideas,” he said.

Some of the ideas Vilsack has suggested include charter schools and changing the way schools are financed.

Schmidt said although it is early in Vilsack’s term, it appears he is taking the initiative to “get things done as opposed to just taking a stand.”

The small amount of time Vilsack has held office is one of the reasons Dearin said Vilsack needs to be given the “benefit of the doubt.” As Vilsack’s term progresses and more topics are addressed, he said it will be easier to tell if Vilsack is an effective governor.