While the Student Government Association mastered the concept of divide this year, the group failed to conquer.

As lines were clearly drawn in preparation for an election that would pit current President Bill Durkin against Sen. Michael Benson, all focus turned to campaigning, mudslinging and old alliances.

And the focus once again failed to land where it is intended to – on the 15,000 undergraduate students who have absolutely no say in who their next leader will be.

As senators continued to ask the candidates questions to which they clearly already knew the answers, both Durkin and Benson were forced to stray from speaking of their views on issues including community outreach and dealing with student concerns, and instead forced to defend themselves against personal attacks.

But the debacle Monday night was only a culmination of the entire year, as a blatant lack of leadership permeated all walks of campus since the last academic year marked by tragedy came to an end.

Last year, leaders like SGA President Michael Romano and Council for University Programs President Tom Kneafsey were forced to stand up in the face of adversity, and for this, earned the respect of the students.

Durkin, who took the helm of an organization reeling from losing its president after a scandal that continued through half of the fall semester, took a different approach.

Durkin had to act, instead of react. Durkin achieved small victories, like extending library hours, but throughout the year lost control of his staff, alienating older senators more accustomed to the ways of past administrations.

It seems SGA became too wrapped up in its internal affairs and forgot its core mission. And while it is easy for leaders mimicking the Rudy Giuliani image to be heroes in times of hardship, it is also their duty to lead their constituents to greatness no matter what the circumstance.

As president-elect Benson prepares to take office in July, a nearly incidental fact, as either candidate would have faced the same division coming into the new year, it is time for him to set the example.

Benson is the new leader of the entire student body, not just the soap opera that unfolded Monday night, and he has more people to impress over the next year than his buddies on the e-board and past SGA leaders. Roughly 15,000 more.

Northeastern students can see the divide, Benson. Now let’s see you conquer.