University of Virginia Library

Joel Gardner

A Real Choice

The College Council elections
next week provide a unique opportunity
for University students to
express their political beliefs. The
demise of the two caucuses and the
birth of the Jefferson Party has
created for the first time in many
years a viable two party system at
Virginia. While there are some 13
students running for Council, most
eyes will be on the 8 candidates
representing the J.P. and the V.P.P.
And for the two major parties, this
vote will prove to be exceedingly
crucial.

The VPP made quite an auspicious
entrance onto the political
scene last year by practically
sweeping the spring Council elections.
Four of their five candidates
were elected and all racked up
impressive vote totals. The spring
elections established the VPP as the
premier party on the Grounds.
Next weeks elections will demonstrate
whether the VPP's victory
was a "one-shot" affair or whether
it was a true indication of the
student's beliefs.

This fall the VPP goes into the
campaign under much different
circumstances than it faced last
spring. First, the VPP last year ran a
hand-picked ticket which had something
to appeal to everyone. While
the VPP hierarchy still urged
some prospective candidates
to run, this year's candidates
were chosen by the party members
and the ticket does not have the
same diversity and widespread
appeal that it did last year. More
importantly, however, this fall the
VPP represents the establishment.
Last year they were on the outside
looking in; they were able to
relentlessly attack and condemn the
existing body and make extravagant
political promises. Now they have
to stand on their own record, which
the writer believes to be very shaky.
Finally, last spring the VPP was up
against a crumbling caucus system.
They exploited the faults of the
caucuses for all they were worth.
This year, however, the VPP finds
itself up against a new, well
organized political structure that is
more democratic in its nominating
processes than itself.

While this election is of great
importance to the VPP, it is even
more important to the new Jefferson
Party. The JP has thus far been
a tremendous success. In two short
months the party has attracted
almost 300 members, making it the
second largest organization on the
Grounds. But to establish itself as a
strong political entity, it must elect
its candidates. This is the first
crucial test of the party's drawing
power.

The factor that disturbs the JP
most is the dogmatism of the
College representatives. Of the 9
members, 4 were elected from the
VPP, 2 are presently running for
re-election from the VPP, and
another 2 supported the VPP in the
past. The one remaining College
representative holds similar views
with the other eight, and together
they have been the controlling
force on the Council. A large
number of College students are
totally unrepresented on Council.
The same rhetoric is heard over and
over again at Council meetings.
Thus the JP's campaign slogan -
"Put a new voice into Student
Council."

Another disturbing factor is that
one can't help but think that some
Council members are more concerned
with propagating their own
national political beliefs than curing
the ills that exist at the University.
The Councilmen were not elected
to express support of the G.E.
strike or the Grape Boycott, but to
solve the problems here at Virginia.
The attempt to improve dormitory
facilities, for example, should take
priority over discussing whether or
not to support the exchange of
Bobby Scale for American prisoners
in Viet Nam.

There are 4 College seats open
next week. College students have a
real choice this time. The vote is
crucial.

—ed)