The Cavalier daily. :: Thursday, May 8, 1969 :: University of Virginia Library

It objectively outlines the dilemma of
the liberals at the University, who are more
and more frustrated with the "proper
channels." What Mr. MacDonald's essay
lacks however, is a set of solutions. And,
this is precisely what the Virginia Progressive
Party has offered. The VPI (and I agree
with its candidates) believes that, despite
the difficulties of the moment, student
opinion can be very effective if it is properly
represented.

Can Be Changed

Although I would be the first to agree
that the Student Council has been the
bulwark of confusion in University politics,
that it has at times been little more than a
circus, that it has been somewhat less than
"aggressive" in its liberalism, still, I do not
agree that this sad situation cannot be
changed.

Perhaps it is a pipe dream 'that a United
student democracy will, quite properly,
assert the students' rights to a share of the
power in the University community. But
before we give it up as a pipe dream, I think
we owe it to ourselves to have tried every
democratic means we have at our disposal.
For, though the issues are truly urgent,
success can only be had - in the long run -
through a change in the University's
structure, a change which must include a
functioning student democracy, i.e., a
functioning Council.

Progressives Want A Liberal

Thus the Progressives want a liberal
working majority on the Council so that
rallies and demonstrations can be replaced
by a Student Council which could, if it truly
represented student opinion, have a much
greater impact on the public and on the
Administration.

It is an extremely difficult task to reform
the Council's role but the Progressives have
set out to revise our political system by
standing for a philosophy. Because of their
efforts, hopefully, we shall, all of us, vote
Liberal vs. Conservative (rather than Fraternity
vs. Independent), and the Council will
reflect the student - ideologically, not
"socially."

Personalities Dilemma

Thus, the upcoming elections give the
voters a chance to elect a Council which will
speak with a clear liberal voice. In choosing
such a Council, the voter is faced with the
dilemma of choosing from personalities.

In this he ought to be wary of the new
abundance of converts to the cause. The
"pseudo-liberals," who mouth cliches about
progressivism, are the same conservatives in
a new guise who will "stand pat' when it
matters next year.

Wake Up Liberal

With the exception of Steve Hayes, who
deserves liberal support, the Caucus candidates
promise what they always
promised...and can be expected, as usual,
not to deliver it. It is time for the liberal to
wake up and vote his beliefs, and that means
voting for a clear-cut ideology. That means
voting for the VPP (One warning: the VPP's
Gardner is Tom Gardner).

In short, this election is important. It is
so important that it deserves to be thought
about and participated in. Though Rapier
originated the satirical Student Council
election poster last year, and though I had a
good laugh with the "Liquifactionists," I
can only beg the "alienated" liberals not to
throw their votes away because he thinks
the Council is a farce. It may have been a
farce in the past; it may be a farce at
present. But if the Progressive Party is given
a mandate, liberalism will begin to bring
results.

Student Council Is Negligent

It should have been the Student Council,
not some ad hoc "Coalition" made up of
amateurs, which led the fight this year for
civil rights, integration, and a larger student
voice in University affairs. It should have
been the Student Council which called on
students to protest a 99% white University.

Next year, with the liberals voting
intelligently, it will be.