University of Virginia Library

YAF Unveils Reform Program

By Dave Schubel
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Undaunted by their defeat at the
polls, the University chapter of the
Young Americans for Freedom offered
last week a program of reform for the
University. The group's chairman, John
Kwapisz, stated that the program was
designed to serve as a platform for further
political activity by the group as well as a
focal point for discussion by other
organizations on the grounds.

Written by the executive committee of
the Chapter, the report is a reflection of
the group's conception of individual
freedom and a "better University." Mr.
Kwapisz contends that the intellectual
intolerance manifested against the group
finds its roots in a lack of information
concerning the ideals of the group.

"We're not going to stop with the
election," Mr. Kwapisz stated, and it is
time the University became familiar with
our group. Pleased with the election
results, the Chapter plans an increased
number of public activities in the coming
months to generate publicity.

To effect their reform program, the
YAF plans to employ the normal
channels of persuasion such as speaking
before the Student Council and writing
letters to those in positions of power.
Petitions are also being prepared for
student signatures requesting the student
freedoms embodied in their University
Reform Program.

Contending that students are unduly
limited in their personal freedom, the
program contains proposals for unshackling
students from the bonds presently
"imposed upon them by the University
and the Student Council." The program
states that "the personal life and property
of students. . .is the proper sphere of each
student and. . .his parents." Suggestions
for increasing personal freedom include
"freedom for any student to own a car,
and freedom to see recruiters from Dow
Chemical, U.S. Marines, and the CPUSA."

Academic Freedom

In its discussion of academic freedom
and in succeeding areas of consideration,
the program often tends to become
contradictory. In the area of academic
freedom, abolition of compulsory physical
education is proposed as well as
"freedom for orderly demonstration of
viewpoint." These are relatively elementary
proposals. The report continues,
then, with "freedom of belief, expression,
and research including military defense,
for professors." However, in the next
sentence, the program argues that it is the
"responsibility of professors to give
balanced, objective classroom presentations.
. ." The two are rather difficult to
reconcile, since a professor who participates
in government or any other kind of
research is not too likely to present
opposing points of view with any zeal.

Student Fees

Regarding "student fees except those
required by compelling social externalities"
as "an infringement upon the rights
and beliefs of every student," the YAF
calls for "voluntary student contributions
and subscriptions." Presently, the YAF
contends that student fees are being
unjustly used to impose unrepresentative
publications on students.

"To break the biased news monopoly
at the University," the program suggests
that "the University Union Meeting
notices should be expanded into an
objective news publication." Elaborating
on the proposal, Mr. Kwapisz stated that
"Our ultimate end is to promote freedom
of the press." Another YAF Executive
Board member suggested that the Administration
might set up a University
Publications Center. The program is quite
emphatic in its desire for new methods of
funding the Virginia Law Review and The
Cavalier Daily.

University Senate

Examining the University's student
government, the YAF finds it either too
effective or too ineffective. The reform
program hedges on the concept of a
University Senate, fearing substitution of
"coercion by a University Senate for
coercion by the Administration."

Contending that the "criteria of
crime" now employed by the Judiciary
Committee "imply majority disapproval
and punishment of those individuals who
are different or get out of line," the
report suggests new criteria based on the
concept of "actions which violate or
infringe upon the rights of others."

Radical Reform

Radical reform of Student Council is
called for by the report. While terming
Council "a relatively useless organization"
the report also states that it appears
"to wield excessive power." Advocating
"basic reform of the Council," several
proposals are offered for consideration.
The proposals reflect a unique and
unusual conception of representative
government.

One proposal suggests making "councilmen
and Council represent only
those who vote for them . . .thus the
number of councilmen or votes would
fluctuate from time to time as the
Council became more or less representative."
Another plan proposes abolition of
"so-called student government and establish
Student Federations which serve and
represent those students who voluntarily
join them."

John Kwapisz, YAF Chairman

"Multi-level parking facilities" are
proposed, to "be financed by differential
parking fees and users." The report
does not indicate whether such facilities
are to supplement of supplant those
provided for in the Master Plan. Moreover,
the YAF parking expert has not
checked into the costs of a multi-level
garage, and indicated that there is more
idealism than realism in the financing
plan.

Free Market

Throughout the report there is the
pervasive idea of "free market private
enterprise" and voluntary contributions
by students for special interest projects.
However under the heading of "Improve
Facilities" the report states that "The
food service should . . . not simply make
a profit." And it calls for "improved
swimming pool facilities; eventually an
outdoor pool," and the "establishment of
an Audio-Visual Loan Center."

While criticizing amenities in other
organizations, the YAF program is allied
with a significant number of its own.
Under the topic of "Coeducation" the
report states "Treat them as equals, but
treat them with respect."