Council Asks Dean to Give Financial Aid

The Student Council has asked the Dean's office to establish a fund which would pay all Council expenses, Marc E. Leland '59, President of the Council, disclosed yesterday. A trust amounting to between $60,000 and $80,000 would be necessary to yield an annual income covering the Council budget, which averages $3,000 to $4,000 a year.

The purpose of the fund would be to allow the Council to operate without relying on voluntary student contributions. Since, according to Leland, "most of the Council's functions benefit the College and future students, rather than the students now enrolled," this would be a fairer way of raising money.

At present the Council receives its only income in contributions from the student body, and mainly from freshmen. The reasons for this, Leland explained, are that freshmen contribute more than upperclassmen to all drives, and that upperclassmen realize that they will "receive benefits from the Council whether they contribute or not."

This year the Council has collected $2,900 in cash and pledges, enough to cover the current budget.

An alternative solution, to which Leland is opposed, would be a compulsory fee for the Council, to be paid by all students at the beginning of the year. This system is used by "every college I know of," he added.

Commenting on the prospects for the Council's proposal, Leland stated that the reaction from the Dean's Office has been "quite favorable," and he is hopeful that this year's fund drive will be the last one for the Council. Dean Watson could not be reached for a statement on the proposal.

In addition to requesting money from the Dean's Office, the Council is proposing a plan to have one-third of the Council's membership appointed rather than elected. A referendum on this issue will go to the student body on Oct. 16