As a former SLU undergraduate who campaigned in favor of the last student activity fee increase, I wish to counter Chris Wintrode’s misleading commentary. (“Show SGA the money,” Feb. 15). His attempt at a law-school style hypothetical distorts the truth about the current proposal.

Wintrode’s math denies students an obvious fact: The first increase under the proposed 5 percent plan will be just $5.50. SLU’s two most recent activity fee increases, which did not set a percentage growth, spiked the annual activity fee by $22 and $30, respectively.

Perhaps while listening to the O’Jays on his parents’ turntable, Wintrode suffered an additional lapse in judgment: Most students prefer scheduled, smaller increases to larger ones that arrive without warning.

SGA acts as a custodian for activity fee funds before dispersing them back to student organizations. The fee-which created by students in 1997-is directly returned in the form of concerts, speakers, club sports and more.

Every decision that is made by SGA affects future generations of SLU students. Were that not the case, SGA would repeal two semesters’ worth of accomplishments each May and start all over again the following August. This is why SLU students are guaranteed the right to lobby for change whenever they deem it necessary.

That right is not taken away by this year’s referendum. Wintrode’s “Steven Student” and “Paula Pupil” can still work with SGA to propose a change to the activity fee structure with their own referendum in the future.

Students who want to establish a predictable, proactive increase in SLU’s activity fee should vote “Yes” for the referendum on Monday.They should do so not only with assurance that the rights of future SLU students are preserved, but also with confidence in their support of a forward-thinking proposal that benefits the entire student body.

David Kilper
School of Law
Former Business School and Commuter Senator