A major issue being discussed with senate this year has been "fiscal responsibility" and how to allot their precious budget to certain organizations that approach them for funding.

After seeing this bill pass, they still need to be taught what this "responsibility" is.

They voted to spend one-eighth of their total budget to fund a trip for about 35 students. Senators, please tell me how this goes to benefit the 41,000 students that your represent?

As elected officials you, and I too, represent the students that voted us into office, and we are therefore bound to do what we think will most benefit them. This trip most certainly does not benefit the majority of students as much as something like Pride Week (which senate decided not to fund), which educates the entire student population. Sen. Holloway's quote was just plain rude and ignorant.

How can anyone think that spending $1,500 to send 35 people to Washington, D.C. is more educational than funding $574 for rallies and readings here on campus, open to every student? Are our representatives really representing us well?

I want to inform all the senators that I stay well abreast what goes on at the meetings, so I'm not an ignorant, upset student writing a letter just to get heard. I'm writing this letter hoping to alert students of the injustices going on behind those doors every Tuesday evening.

Please don't take me wrong, there is a small handful of senators that do think, speak, act and vote on behalf of the students. Many thanks to them for doing their jobs as elected representatives. But to those other senators, how can you say you represent the students? Where do you get your facts? I can personally say that I know exactly how I should vote when it affects my constituents.

After all, I see them weekly and solicit their opinions and vote that way. I don't vote according what benefits me personally, I vote in what benefits the students I represent.

I implore each student reading this to research their personal senators to make sure they are representing you well. Please write a letter to them, to all of Senate or stop at 7 p.m. each Tuesday in 302 HUB-Robeson Center to praise or reprimand them specifically.

After all, they are whom you elected to represent you. Make sure they're doing their job.