Amanda LaBonar's opinions, in her Feb. 9 column "Phonathon should dial a different number," about the costs of Marquette, are well noted. However, what is missing are substantive connections. Next year students will see a hike in tuition and they'll also see a hike in enrollment. Seniors will move out and a larger, possibly record-breaking class will fill the void. Such an increase requires more teachers, classes, financial aid, and space — none of which is possible without a cost. We are not likely to gripe about Marquette's growth — it's the increased exposure that exemplifies our degree; and attaining a valuable degree is one of the main objectives in higher education. Why is it then that we feel the need to complain about our living arrangement, the quality of food and Marquette's ignorance of "important" issues?

The problem is what we see as "important" issues conflict with what Marquette's overall goal is for us as students. Marquette promises a well-rounded education, had they promised lavish living arrangements and gourmet food, I think we'd stand a fair fight. Because of this, it's more beneficial to improve educational resources, rather than the quality of canned corn in the cafeteria. It's understandable that we have concerns due to the investment we are making, however I've yet to hear of a student's near death experience from insufficient living or hunger. This is not to say that I would label housing or food service as extremely high quality, but some speak as if we were living under dirty mattresses, drinking gutter water and eating roaches in an alley off 27th Street. This is not to demean the role of positive experience in college; however, experience is available beyond the dorm and cafeteria.

As for Marquette's "waste" of money, I'm sure that if the walk to class was on dirt walkways with bountiful foliage of crabgrass, dandelions and cigarette butts we'd be complaining. It seems as if we want Marquette to provide us with everything from above-average education, food, housing and resources, all for a below-average cost. If this is what you want, you're at the wrong university.

To clarify, the role of such fundraising programs as the Phonathon are not meant for campus beautification or building development projects that are placed by many in the "waste of money" category. Their goal is to minimize the financial burden that a tuition hike causes. It allows us to keep our current financial aid, as well as attempting to bring in more. With enrollment rising, the need for financial aid also increases and it's the "give me more aid, but when it's my turn forget it" attitude that people feel does not exactly give the university the capability to hand out large financial aid packages. I, like LaBonar, will be graduating in spring, and while I won't be in a financial situation to make a large contribution, I can at least help with $20 and one night less at the bar. Alumni contributions have made it possible for me to attend Marquette and I can at least repay them by committing to do the same for future students.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we can squawk all we want about rising costs, and "important" issues, but is not making a financial gift to Marquette really going to solve that?