The article "ND gives little cash to hopefuls" (Feb. 8) asserted that Notre Dame students and professors have contributed significantly less money in donations to U.S. presidential campaigns than their counterparts at other universities. This statement is misleading. The article's claim was based on federal campaign finance records. These records, however, only include data on contributions exceeding $200. Accordingly, they are a faulty metric for campaign donations, especially the donations of students, who are likely to have limited financial resources and thus contribute less than $200. Smaller donations are not uncommon and can have a significant impact on presidential campaigns. The claim that only 15 Notre Dame students and professors donated to presidential campaigns is inaccurate and may significantly underestimate the campus' involvement in the presidential race.
Ben LinskeyfreshmanDillon HallFeb. 8
