University of Virginia Library

ga&s candidates state positions

david barton

During the past few years the
University, largely through the
initiative of the student body, has
made noticeable progress toward
becoming an institution relevant to
a changing world. The University of
Virginia stands today at a crossroads.
We can continue along this
line of progress and accelerate our
pace, or we can backslide into an
isolated community devoid of any
capacity to lead I wish to help lead
this University forward.

I firmly believe that we can
move forward with the willing
support of the majority of students,
and without compromising the
rights of those who differ. The
quest for justice and equality does
not require, indeed cannot countenance,
the repression of those who
dissent.

I believe that no person should
suffer discrimination because of
race or because of sex, and that the
University should not be closed to
those whore qualified to attend.
The student council has a critical
role in achieving these goals, and I
solicit your support as a candidate
for the GSAS seat on that Council.

tom breslin

The student body has begun to
concern itself with the elimination
of some of the more glaring
inequities enshrined in this University's
tradition. As Student Representative
I would actively back the
ongoing effort to make this a truly
public University.

But beyond this I would concern
myself especially with the
question of student interests. For
while we can ill afford to believe
that we are at war with the faculty
or administration, we can even less
afford to believe that we are part of
a community of all in the University.
As students we must think of
ourselves as professional students
with specific interests. We should
be represented in a University
Senate; our role in University
policymaking should be proportionate
to our interests. Where our
interests predominate, we should
have the power to pick personnel
and set policy: athletics, financial
aid, Dean of Students, etc. Students,
especially through their Student
Representatives, should actively
concern themselves with, among
other things, the quality and nature
of their curricula, the disposition of
University resources, and the existence
of the grading system.

If we do not act to make our
history, then history in the form of
technology and bureaucratic structure
will make us, and make us
more directly and completely than
ever before. I want to be your
active representative.

george brown

During the past year the Student
Council has played an important
and positive role in shaping the
future direction of the University
of Virginia. This has been evidenced
through the initiatives taken by the
Council in such areas as increased
emphasis on black admissions and
recruitment, University employment
policy towards non-academic
employees, and co-education. My
primary interest in serving on the
Student Council is to ensure the
continuation of student initiative in
these and other areas. If elected, I
will add my voice to those presently
on the Council who are
working to make U.Va. a truly
open and responsive state university.

In addition to supporting the
continuation of an active Student
Council, I am interested in two
other areas of Council responsibility:
(1) In its efforts to promote a
more liberal university, the Student
Council must not neglect its responsibility
for student services. Only
problem with which I am particularly
concerned is the increased
rates for student health insurance.
The Student Council should investigate
alternative arrangements in
order to provide the most economical
policy possible. (2) There are
unique problems related to graduate
students which should be
represented on the Council. One
example is the question of whether
teaching assistants should have to
pay tuition. As a graduate student
representative on the Student
Council, I would consider it my
responsibility to look into such
issues.

If elected to the Student Council,
I will contribute whatever time
and effort is required in order to
promote the policies outlines
above.

pedro saavedra

I have been two years a graduate
student in mathematics at the
University. During these years I
have developed a growing concern
for the increasing politicization of
Student Council and the inadequacy
of its response to graduate
students' needs.

I have gained valuable experience
in a variety of activities and
offices: an organizer of the Cuban
branch of the "Juventud Estudiantil
Catolica" in Miami; president of
the Georgetown University chapter
of P Mu Epsilon mathematical
fraternity; president of the U.Va.
Chess Club and the Virginia [state]
Chess Federation; founder of the
"Virginia Committee for Pachman's
Freedom" (Czech chess theoretician
and journalist).

Most of the graduate students
coming to the University have been
disappointed by the lack of a rich
and varied cultural experience here;
I propose that Council undertake
efforts to provide expanded cultural
opportunities, including the
sponsoring of a professional repertory
theater.

Many of the activities financed
by student fees are not relevant to
the interests of graduate students; I
propose that the non-essential portions
of this tax be made optional.

Many graduate students depend
upon their automobiles for both
transportation and livelihood; I
propose the construction of a
multilevel parking facility on the
lot below Newcomb Hall.

Since I believe that it is
reprehensible for the University to
stand at variance with the law of
the nd, I therefore call for the
admission of women, black, and
foreign born students without prejudice
in accordance with the 1964
Civil Rights Act.

Why not a foreign student on
Council?

randall simmons

Having spent my undergraduate
years at Virginia I feel I have gotten
a clear picture of the forces at work
here. Over those four years vast
changes took place in both student
life and University policies, and
without a doubt they shall and
must continue to modify as U.Va.
develops a new character. However,
rather than taking an irrational
emotional position on the issues
concerning us I propose to use
reason in handling Student Council
affairs. Surely the pressure exerted
by a clear-thinking Council truly
representing the students will
achieve more progress toward alerting
our environment as we deem
necessary than would that of an
intimidating organization.

I also feel that the graduate
portion of the University should
have a greater say in this largely
undergraduate oriented institution.
However, only if the members of
our school exercise their responsibility
to our community by making
their opinions known do we have
the right to seek changes. I intend
to seek out your opinions so that I
might contribute our ideas for
reasonable and responsible development
of this University. Let us
make our influence felt in a sensible
way. I ask for your support.