Iowa State Athletic Director Gene Smith made a “very passionate” plea, as he put it, for the promised $130,000 in funds from the Special Student Fees Committee.

In lieu of the request, Government of the Student Body President Adam Gold made an equally passionate and student-conscious proposal that could have a serious effect on many students.

Gold, showing the type of cunning that is very becoming of a student leader, offered a proposal that would guarantee the athletic department the funds they need, providing the university comes up with some things the students need.

* Gold’s gutsy move No. 1: Proposing the athletic department sell single-game basketball and football tickets to students at one-third the original price.

* Gold’s gutsy move No. 2: Proposing that faculty members pay full price for tickets to all events.

* Gold’s gutsy move No. 3: Proposing that the athletic department sell combination basketball and football season tickets at one-fourth the general-admission price.

* Gold’s gutsy move No. 4: Proposing that the Cy-Ride Orange Route stay free to students.

* Gold’s gutsy move No. 5: Proposing a bus shelter be built by the Iowa State Center commuter parking lot.

With a show of intestinal fortitude, Gold started the negotiation process rolling. With the use of a little moxie we knew he had, President Gold got the wheels turning and turned out a deal.

The Orange Route will be free, and there will be less freezing over by the parking lot.

Although his entire package wasn’t accepted, he did manage to get what was really needed.

Those ticket options sure sound pretty good, too.

We’ll have to wait and see on those.

And one thing is for sure, it’s a start.