Candidates voice ideas on race

The debate on affirmative action has not escaped the attention of Michigan Student Assembly candidates, who are voicing their opinions on what MSA's role should in the debate on University admissions policies.

Members of the Defend Affirmative Action Party picketed outside of the Michigan League yesterday before Ward Connerly, a prominent advocate for the deconstruction of affirmative action in California's public universities, spoke on the subject of preferential treatment in admissions.

LSA sophomore Matthew Shultz, who is running for an MSA representative seat with the DAA Party and was one of the participants at yesterday's protest, said MSA should support events for the defense of affirmative action.

"Once we get education, I believe students will back affirmative action," Shultz said. "MSA should start to support protests and sit-ins. We should start to use MSA as a political vehicle."

DANA LINNANE/Daily LSA first-year student Juanae Lee votes in the Michigan Student Assembly elections yesterday at Angell Hall.

Last semester, MSA passed a resolution declaring its support of affirmative action policies at the University.

LSA sophomore Elizabeth Keslacy, who is running for president with the New Frontier Party, said MSA should remain impartial in the debate - only going so far as educating students on the issues.

"I think MSA should not put forth an opinion," Keslacy said. "When MSA passes these resolutions, it doesn't represent the student body. They should encourage dialogue. That should be the scope of their efforts."

Most candidates agreed on the need to accurately determine student sentiment on the University's admissions policies.

Independent presidential candidate Ferris Hussein, an LSA junior, said MSA should vocalize the views of the student body.

"We like the idea of a referendum," Hussein said. "We see MSA as a megaphone - an extension of the students' voice. The student body should decide what MSA does instead of the other way around."

Earlier this semester, MSA struck down a resolution calling for a referendum asking students whether race should be used as a factor in the admissions process.

LSA junior Trent Thompson, the Students' Party presidential candidate, said he voted against the measure because of its inherent bias, but said he is not against the general concept of having a referendum.

"I voted 'no' on the referendum resolution because the question was slanted towards race," Thompson said. "If we have a referendum question, it should ask about gender, ethnicity, athletics and alumni status."

LSA junior Ryan Friedrichs and LSA sophomore Albert Garcia, independent presidential and vice-president candidates, and Michigan Party representative candidate Mehul Madia, an LSA junior, have been working on conducting a professional survey on various issues - including affirmative action.

"The poll's results will enable the assembly to accurately reflect the feelings of the students at the University," Garcia said. "The affirmative action debate is yet another reason we should have direct constituency."

03-19-98