In recent comments to The GW Hatchet, Student Association President David Burt expressed his dissatisfaction over the proposed 2000-2001 SA budget (SA Senate approves funding for student groups, Sept. 28, p. 1). The prime target of his attack was the funding proposal for the Medical Center Student Council. Burt has misrepresented the council. Like all senators, I appreciate Burt’s efforts to increase funding for the SA. However, his attempt to influence the Senate’s spending decisions is misguided.

Burt notes that since 1993, the MCSC has received large increases in funding. Burt fails to mention that the MCSC was in its infancy in 1993. Since then, the number of students represented by the MCSC has grown, increasing by 200 students this past year alone. The proposed increase in funding for the MCSC is proportional to the increase in funding for entire SA. Under the new proposal, the MCSC will still receive the same percentage of the SA budget as it did in the past.

Unlike other student organizations, the MCSC is an umbrella organization. The elected council members represent medical students, public health students and undergraduate health science majors, as well as many others. It funds a wide variety of student groups for projects ranging from substance abuse prevention to children’s health insurance. A large allocation is necessary so that these groups may receive funds.

As the students’ representative to the administration, Burt should seek funding increases for all student organizations and not just the SA. He should recognize other student organizations’ efforts and work to further their goals as well as his own.

-Zach Ibrahim
GW Medical School, class of 2003