University of Virginia Library

Virginia Progressive Party

University politics have been, for many years, mainly
bi-annual popularity contests between competing
fraternities. Once two years ago, many students felt the
need to inject equity into the Council race and formed
the University Party. This party was successful for some
time primarily due to the introduction of a platform to
which the candidates pledged their efforts.

Early in its existence, however, it became identified as
an independent caucus, and subsequently there arose an
artificial independent-fraternity schism. This split
obstructed the original intentions of creating
issue-oriented University politics. Efforts to eliminate this
image have been futile, and the University Party's
effectiveness has been seriously hampered.

This Spring a new crisis has arisen. Many students have
begun to challenge the Student Council to take a more
active and progressive role in making University policy.
Council should act as a catalyzing agent in solving the
problems which now oppress the image of our University.

Thus was born the Virginia Progressive Party — the
New Party. Founded on the belief that positive change
must come if this University is to prosper; founded on the
belief that students must take an active part in
formulating these changes, the Virginia Progressive Party
(VPP) is a party based on ideology — not a nominating
caucus. The VPP is established as a permanent element of
the University community, not just for this election. It
will be active throughout the year, working to implement
the platform advocated at each election. The VPP seeks
those who wish to change the University through
reasoned, rather than irrational, activity. And it
incorporates into one entity the entire student spectrum
which aims at achieving positive change.

The Virginia Progressive Party offers five men for the
consideration of the College voter. Among the candidates
are men who have taken active roles in the traditional
walks of University life and now choose to put these aside
to help improve this school. There are others who have a
history of attempting innovative, creative experiments for
the good of the students and the University; from
establishing experimental methods of learning, to striving
for the improvement of the working and living conditions
of the underprivileged in the community and state.

We have chosen five men who have proven,
throughout their years at the University, that they
support a changing, evolving, just institution. Men who
have, if necessary, diverged from the traditional leadership
positions they held to help create change. These are the
men who have had the foresight to initiate the trends
which others now clamor to support. Student Council too
long has looked at the trends and offered their support.
Council now needs men with proven creativity and ability
in establishing these very trends.