Regarding Tim Phelps' request to return the $600,000 risk management fund to students in his letter, "Distribute ASMSU's funding to students," (SN 11/30) I would note that students can obtain a refund of their ASMSU tax ($13.75) - thereby making the suggested distribution unnecessary.

Also, there already has been call within the assembly to drain the fund, using the money for what it was originally intended: Students. I tend to agree with this.

Secondly, I'd like to respond to Phelps' claim that ASMSU is wasteful and useless. Certainly it has its troubles, and I think the biggest is in addressing the question of what we're getting from the money spent. True, there may have been some follies in the past, for example, the infamous candy initiative. Unlike Phelps, though, I see much potential for ASMSU to serve a purpose in the daily lives of students by spending money wisely.

But we need help. If every student would take as much interest in ASMSU as Phelps, I think we could make real progress. If you haven't heard this before: write a letter, stop by a meeting, drop us a line. You don't even have to agree with us. In fact, it would be better to disagree.

Tom Cooke
ASMSU student assembly
representative and English senior