Brandeis University as an institution has always had a rich history of political involvement and activism. From the 1969 takeover of Ford Hall to the controversial invitation of speakers like former President Jimmy Carter to campus to the glut of advocacy or activist groups here, Brandeis has rarely shied away from participating in, even openly challenging, the world around it.That said, most of us are obviously also students, and oftentimes our obligations as students can overtake other, less pressing considerations. If it comes down to working on that paper due tomorrow morning or going to that rally in Boston, chances are the paper will win every time. And that's probably as it should be-after all, we're students first.

But this year's presidential election provides a unique opportunity for us, both as students and as citizens. We will never vote for president again while undergraduates here, for one, and the showdown between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain has been called perhaps the most important political contest in more than a generation. Our student body hails from over 50 foreign countries, but more immediately from almost every state in the Union.

Of our student body, 75 percent of students are from out of state, and most of us are eligible to vote this year. It's certainly understandable if we haven't been able to find the time to register absentee, or else register here in Massachusetts, and of course filling out and mailing the ballot takes up precious time as well.

Take a moment to consider the myriad problems facing our next president. A resurgent Russia has begun to flex its military and political muscles in the Caucasus and in eastern Europe. China's economic juggernaut seems to be moving full steam ahead, with little hint of letting off for the foreseeable future.

American relations with Latin America have cooled, and any sort of commitment to a lasting peace in Israel and Palestine has been absent, to say the least. As the War in Iraq finally seems to be turning around, the war in Afghanistan is going increasingly poorly; between them, Iran continues to exert its growing regional influence. An ever more unstable Pakistan threatens American efforts in Afghanistan and presents a threat to the nuclear security of all nations.

And through all this, the American economy has first slowed, then faltered, then stumbled and now seems to be on the verge of a downright catastrophe. Unemployment is at its highest point in five years, and this year alone over 600,000 Americans have lost their jobs; the potential for students like us to acquire jobs after graduation is also adversely affected. As liquidity in the credit markets seizes up, items like student loans will become increasingly more difficult to obtain, let alone to pay back years from now.

Whom do you want running this country as these crises worsen or ease up, or as new crises rise to the fore? The Democrat, Obama? The Republican, McCain? Perhaps an Independent, like Bob Barr? No one gets a say without registering to vote in the first place, and the options for registration are becoming increasingly limited.

For many states, absentee registration deadlines have passed or are fast approaching. About half of all the states have already reached their deadlines for registration and it is too late there, but Massachusetts' deadline for registration is Oct. 15.

Many crucial swing states this election cycle also have yet to reach their registration deadlines. New Hampshire's deadline is Oct. 25, as is Iowa's, and while Missouri's is this Wednesday, Minnesota and Wisconsin's deadlines are Oct. 14 and 15, respectively. Deadlines for states heavily represented in the Brandeis student body, like California, New York and New Jersey, are coming up in the next week or two, and several other states also have yet to reach their registration deadlines.

There is still enough time to register to vote absentee, if you have yet to do so. Remember also that some of the most contested states in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections were decided by only a few thousand votes. Now, more than ever, your vote can have a major impact. The future belongs to those who show up.