LETTER: SAC & Circle K

The officers of Circle K would like to refute the erroneous allegations made against our community service organization. In the article "Big Ol' SAC of Money" (DP 4/14/92), Zelig Kurland claims "a perfect example of fiscal waste is the misuse of funds by community service group Circle K for their baked goods sale during Fling." This is preposterous. Both his facts about Circle K and Student Activities Council policies are inaccurate. This is particularly surprising since Kurland is both a SAC representative and treasurer for Penn Musicians Against Homelessness, as well as a "journalist." Kurland indicates his ignorance of SAC policies through his denouncement of the bake sale as a means for the group to gain funds. He claims that the funds for the ingredients came from the SAC budget. To enlighten Kurland, SAC does not finance food items. In addition, he alleges that "the ad [for the Fling bake sale] will cost SAC $106." It is clear that he does not comprehend the standard SAC procedure to allot each recognized group two 1/16 page advertisements a year. Furthermore, SAC authorizes these groups to individually determine the use of their advertisements. Therefore, how can any self-respecting editorialist criticize an advertisement which encourages Penn students to help finance community service? Throughout his article, Kurland accuses the officers of intending to "get some old receipts and turn them into SAC." Maybe as a SAC representative, Kurland would engage in such illegal practices. However, the SAC representative and the other officers of Circle K do not condone such a fraud. Lastly, it is part of a journalist's duty to research the issues which he or she discusses. But, just as he has failed to learn about SAC policies, he has failed to learn the truth. Circle K is not in debt as he claimed. Also it is not astonishing that he fabricated the statements supposedly made by the president of Circle K. Finally, a college newspaper editorial is not the place for immature name calling. JENNIFER PARISH President ALLAHAN LEE Vice President of Services FRANCES BURDEN Vice President of Social Events RIZ SHAVELLE Treasurer and SAC representative BRIGHID BROOKS Secretary