As the student appointed to the President's Planning and Budget Committee, I feel the need to respond to a recent cartoon follow-up of an editorial questioning my qualifications and in essence portraying me as an administration's puppet.

I find it peculiarly unfair. As to my qualifications, even USG president Seth Williams has been quoted as saying that he does not question my qualifications. As to my being a puppet to the administration, who on your staff has ever so much as met me, let alone taken the time to try to understand who I am.

There are certain facts that need to be pointed out. Penn State is one university geographically divided; consisting of 17 commonwealth campuses, two colleges (Behrend and Penn State Harrisburg), and University Park. Penn State is not University Park and everybody else as portrayed in January 20th editorial. The position of the President's Planning and Budget committee calls for one student to represent all undergraduates.

As far as USG being disappointed by my appointment, they have no one to blame but themselves. If they wanted their own people on the committee they should have submitted another name. ("Claiming that additional submissions would be pointless") I find it very hard to believe that there are no other qualified people in USG.

As student leaders, we have the obligation to represent our constituencies and work with the University. By not submitting another name, USG left the University no choice but to seek other candidates.

I don't think you should question the University on their actions but should question USG on why they consistently refuse to work with the University.