Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in American history.

Though many will focus on the significance of our nation’s first black president, let us not forget this inauguration serves as another historical landmark.

More Americans aged 18-29 – including many at the University – voted for Barack Obama than any other presidential candidate in recent history. According to exit poll analysis by CIRCLE, an independent research agency at Tufts University, more than 22 million youth voted in 2008, in the highest turnout since 1972 (the first-year 18-year-olds were allowed to vote).

Around 70 percent of all youth supported him. Obama will become president of the United States today in part because of the strong support he received from young voters.

For years, the baby boomers have shied away from addressing some of the nation’s most pressing issues while supporting policies that will place a substantial burden on our generation in the future.

During the next 100 days, President Obama will begin shaping his legacy. It is essential the policies he implements reflect consideration for our generation; after all, he would have had a much more difficult time getting elected without our support.

Consideration for the youth of America must be representative of a general commitment to help the majority of Americans, not just the lucky few with political influence.

Obama’s first priority should be preventing our country from taking on an unsustainable level of debt. The U.S. economy is (still) very powerful and able to handle a significant amount of leverage, but his administration must keep our national debt from spiraling out of control.

An irresponsible fiscal deficit will force our generation to suffer from higher taxes and painful inflation. Although the administration supports releasing another $350 billion in bailout funds, they cannot sacrifice our generation’s fiscal burden to alleviate our current ills.

Obama should work to make sure there are jobs available for graduating college seniors – including the more than 5,000 University graduates set to enter the job market.

He should make a commitment to affordable student loans – educating our generation will drive economic growth in the future.

Second, Obama should take measures to create an environmental policy that leads our country toward energy independence.

This is especially crucial for our generation, as our dependence on oil will constrain our economy while leaving our prosperity susceptible to political unrest overseas. Energy policies should reflect the youth’s desire for sustainable programs that promote the long-term health of our environment.

Now that Obama is in the White House, it is imperative we continue the civic engagement that we all participated in and witnessed throughout the campaign season.

We urge the 30 percent who voted against Obama, to hold him accountable. Serve as the friction that forces this administration to implement policies that benefit all Americans.

By remaining active, we will reinvigorate our democracy. As Obama himself said, “This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is the chance for change.”

At the Roosevelt Institution, we work to move student policy ideas into proposals that are published in reputable journals and presented to policymakers.

If authoring your own policy proposal is not your thing, find another way to stay involved. Hold rallies in support of your cause. Call your congressmen and senators. Talk about the issues.

We elected this president, but today is only the beginning.

- Lucas Puente is a junior from Wilmington, N.C., majoring in international affairs and finance. The Roosevelt Institution, sponsored by the Honors Program, is the University’s only student think tank. It will have its spring information session on Thursday at 8 p.m. in MLC 268.