While both tickets in this year’s presidential election present strong platforms and have plenty of experience in Vanderbilt Student Government, the Hustler Editorial Board has decided to endorse Lori Murphy and Lee Pedinoff. Both groups published in-depth platforms on their respective Web sites and made their views clear during the primary debate, but Murphy and Pedinoff are the better representatives of the student community and therefore are the most qualified to advocate on its behalf.

Many of Murphy and Pedinoff's goals are oriented around improving on-campus involvement and overall cohesion. Between such objectives as expanding Varsity Market hours in Highland and Sarratt and rewarding students for attending athletic events to help the student population rally behind our multiple Division I teams, it is obvious they have been listening to student needs. They have clearly committed to work to further improve the amenities and opportunities we already have.

After a year as executive vice president, Murphy knows what can be accomplished and how to do so. Her leadership has been evident in many of the initiatives that have been put forth in the past year, and her experience will prove valuable in determining how best to continue improving students’ Vanderbilt experience.

Unfortunately, however, this election has put students in an unusual position. Rather than focusing on the issues and platform policies, much of the campaigns for both tickets have instead centered on the individuals running, drawing the attention away from what is most important: the students. What should be an opportunity for a unified front to push for what is most important to students has now become a divided organization that has lost sight of what matters most.

At the end of the day, personal differences must be put aside to accomplish what VSG was chartered for. The students must come first.