To the Editor:

Let me start off by saying that I am writing this in response to the letter sent to the OSFC email account, as Treasurer I can normally speak for the SFC but in this case I am only speaking for myself. SFC is put in charge of figuring out how to fairly divide approximately $480,000 between 135 student organizations every year. The money is to go towards events and activities that enrich the campus and the campus community.

Oberlin Aid to Strays is a good organization that provides a service for the community. However, I personally do not feel that the Student Activity Fee should go to paying for the veterinarian bills for the animals the shelter takes care of. (This is where nearly all of Aid to Strays' SFC money went to this year). Students do not benefit by writing a check to pay for the vet bills of animals. Students do benefit from helping out at the shelter and working with the shelter to help solve the problem of strays in Oberlin, I understand that in your mind the two go hand in hand- however it should not be SFC's responsibility to pay for these costs. SFC does not make outside donations to any organization, no matter how noble the cause, in my opinion this is very close to falling under that category.

In response to what your letter said about Senate's study- as far as I know no one on SFC or in the Treasurer's Office was aware that such a study had gone on, including myself.

I agree that the previous system run by the city was not a good one, but I do not think it is Oberlin College's place to take it over. I understand that I do not know the complete history of the interactions with Aid to Strays and the city, but there has to be some way in which one can make the system better without taking it over.

Next fall you are invited to appeal your budget to the new SFC. I will not be here and in no way can I speak for them, but I invite you to come talk the committee and the Treasurer next year with your concerns and questions.

-Rebecca Barnes, College senior and Treasurer of the SFC

Can SFC justify cutting our budget by 90 percent and not theirs?

To the Editor:

This letter is painful to write. I represent just one organization that has had its budget cut by SFC. I understand SFC's difficulty in delegating their limited money, but I believe they have made a very poor decision concerning Oberlin Aid to Strays. I am spending this semester in Connecticut and the news of our 90 percent budget cut hit me like a ton of bricks. The facts are these: $384 is not enough to run either dog or cat programs. The town has very little money. Harassing them will not make money appear magically. And fundraising is not the answer. We already fund raise to make ends meet with our $3645.14. The town will not give us more money. It is easier for them to put the dogs to sleep. They couldn't care less about the cats. The college refuses to help us out. I regularly spend money from my own pocket to take care of stray cats. Given these facts, I am looking at returning in the fall to a group of doomed animals. I love the animals and I love watching other students interact with them. You all see stray cats around campus in Wilder Bowl and by the conservatory.

You have all seen pictures of OASIS dogs on collection cans in the local stores. You all know someone who walks dogs for OASIS or feeds these cats. I am writing this letter to ask for help from anyone who can possibly offer a hand.

SFC cannot justify cutting their overall budget by 50 percent and ours by 90 percent.

-Susannah Telsey, Conservatory junior

WAVE is a symbol of Oberlin College's uniqueness

To the Editor:

Oberlin College has long been so unique in all the right ways: first to admit women and blacks, support for civil rights throughout most of the 20th century, etc. All of our presidents kept Oberlin moving forward. But the Dye Administration has been particularly outstanding in encouraging and supporting efforts to improve educational standards in Lorain County and in Oberlin in particular.

As Coordinator of the WAVE program (Words Are Very Enjoyable), an academic program designed to help academically unmotivated and deprived children, some white, some black, etc., I am just thrilled to report that the 1997-98 year has been unusually rewarding. Thanks to many devoted students, so many caring and supportive faculty, etc. every family or child who requested academic tutoring and support received WAVE's attention.

It is very unlikely that there is another college in America which can boast of providing as much help to children and to the community as Oberlin College. Of course, more is needed; therefore, please plan on helping WAVE. In the meantime, let's all rejoice in the College's success this year.

-Booker Peek, Prof. of African-American Studies