University of Virginia Library

New Political Party
Formed By Students

By Donn Kessler
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

A new political party that
wants to get away from the
independent-fraternity split in
University politics and government
has been born at the
University.

The New Party, as it is
called, is based not upon a
section of the University community,
but rather upon an
ideological basis. It upholds a
moderate-liberal viewpoint that affirms
change according to Bruce
Wine, a third-yearman in the
College, who is president of the
new party.

Deal With Change

In explaining the reasons for the
establishment of the party, Mr.
Wine, speaking for the party, stated
that "student government must
deal with the forces of change,
instead of ignoring them. The New
Party is not afraid of change. We
affirm it."

"The New Party," said Mr.
Wine, "wants to get away from the
independent-fraternity split in political
societies at the University.
Therefore, it is founded upon an
ideological basis and is open to any
University individual on an individual
basis. It is representative of the
first-year dorms, the fraternities,
the Alderman Road dorms, and the
apartments."

'Broad-Based'

To explain this "broad-based
representation," Mr. Wine presented
The Cavalier Daily with a list of
the officers of the New Party.
Included were Mike Russell, Vice-president;
Dick Covington, Secretary;
and Jeff Kirsch, Treasurer.

Among others included in the
party's membership were Ron Cass
and Bud Ogle of the Student
Council, Scott Saunders of the
First-Year Committee, Kim Hopper
of the Experimental University, Al
Sinesky of the football team, Tom
Gardner of the SSOC, and Hal
Collums of the Alderman Road
Counselors.

The basic goal of the New Party,
Mr. Wine explained, is to elect
students to the Student Council

With this in mind, Mr. Wine
stated that the New Party held a
nominating meeting last night and
chose five students from the College
to run in the Student Council
elections next month. He stated
that the candidates would be
disclosed within the next few days.

Mr. Wine also stated that although
the five candidates were all
from the College, he hoped that the
New Party would be able to attract
members from all schools of the
University and, in future elections,
would be able to nominate candidates
for Student Council from all of
the schools.

Individual Platforms

Although Mr. Wine stated that
the candidates would draw up their
own platforms, he stated the
following general principles that
members of the party agreed upon.
"Here at the University we see
changes in the size and quality of
the physical plant, the faculty, and
the student body. There are other
changes the New Party would like
to see: in curriculum and teaching
methods, in the racial, economic,
and sexual composition of the
student body and faculty, and in
the way decisions are made."

Mr. Wine stated that the New
Party is open to any member of the
University community. Any interested
can join by seeing a
member of the party.