The Rev. Jesse Jackson preaches that he wants "no American left behind."

But when he encouraged people Sunday at Hocking College and today at the Ramada Inn in Nelsonville to close the gaps of education, income and health care in Southeast Ohio, many students might have felt they were left out of Jackson's message.

Although students might come from areas that do not suffer from the same problems as Appalachia, by coming to Ohio University they become immersed in the area's problems - and can become part of the solutions.

Even if Jackson was grandstanding for the purpose of political recognition, students should act on his cause and close the gap between the university and the community.

The OU Center of Community Service, along with Rural Action, is making it easier to help close the gaps by holding a volunteer fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Howard Hall Site. Organizations such as SCALE, Habitat for Humanity and Hospice of Appalachia directly apply to students' majors and the gaps Jackson criticizes.

Some students don't have time for extensive volunteering, but even an hour is helpful. If you can't commit to a community project, try to attend one of this week's events for Appalachian Culture Awareness Week. Students themselves are growing up in Appalachia, and if volunteering isn't feasible, learning about the area is the best alternative.

By volunteering and being educated, students can ensure that no one, including themselves, is left behind.

A better use of our time

Two Student Senate executives allowed a top state official to address the body, and they are charged by two students with abuse of power and obstruction of justice. What's all the hubbub about?

Although we respect a system that allows senators to be questioned, the charge that President Darien Moss and Vice President Shannon Bibbee violated ethics by letting Ohio Lt. Gov. Nancy Hollister speak at the Sept. 16 meeting was unsubstantiated.

Senate presidents often schedule politicians to speak at meetings. Communication about student issues is beneficial for senate and lawmakers.

The problem resulted because Hollister is a Republican congressional candidate whose opponent, incumbent U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lucasville, did not address the senate. However, the senate did not bar Strickland from speaking; Hollister was in town and Strickland was not.

Certainly, it would be unethical if the senate endorsed a candidate without giving fair speaking time to the opposition, but neither Moss nor Bibbee made a motion for such an endorsement.

A senate committee cleared Moss and Bibbee of the charges but recommended they publicly apologize for their "lack of foresight." It is not a lack of foresight to jump on the opportunity to have the lieutenant governor speak. It is not a lack of foresight to have a candidate share ideas with the body. The senate was doing its job to research the ideas of present state officials and prospective federal candidates.

The more substantial lack of foresight seems to be on the part of those who filed the charges. We don't ask for apologies; we just ask that this be put behind us, so the senate can work on more important student-related issues.