Re: “The Union’s failure to represent its students,” (page 9, Nov. 30)

Patrick Sullivan wrongly criticizes Jon Marker and the Student Union. He attacks Marker’s alleged incompetence as Marker just now was able to arrange a meeting with the entire e-board, the president and the deans. While this indeed was Marker’s first meeting with all of the aforementioned, Sullivan does not mention that Marker has several times discussed ongoing problems with the aforementioned individuals. Sullivan also does not state the difficulty of arranging a meeting with everyone constantly occupied including the new President Robert Brown.

In several of the past meetings, Marker and the rest of the Student Union have explained the progress they have achieved. Does Sullivan mention any of the progress? Does he mention the successful meeting by the Guest Policy Committee with President Brown? Does he mention the elimination of the Kosher Dining Plan to make buying meals at Hillel more affordable? Does he mention anything? The answer is no. Why? Because as Sullivan himself has said, he does not “raise [his voice] anymore to make life better on campus.” He feels he is “bound to live on campus for four years without ever seeing progress in student affairs.” Well Mr. Sullivan, if you believe that the Student Union meeting does nothing, I offer you a challenge. Run for a position for the next election. If that is asking too much, then get involved with the Election Committee that will eliminate the “apathy” you claim is the reason why Marker won the election, in which, by the way, more people voted than ever before. And even if that is too much, come to the Student Union meetings and see for yourself instead of commenting on an article you read by Christina Crapanzano.

Joel Kosh CAS ’09

Dining Committee Student Union