I T The Michigan Daily - Friday, November 12, 1993-- 3 Here's the question... Why should students vote in MSA elections? The top seven answers are on the board: . 00000 0 CO O OO 0000 } C0 0000 0 0. 0000O 0 0000 0 -t' 00. 0 ' O 0 O 0 0 0 0 I 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O0 0 T K P F The Keg Party Family "p0 0 n V Q00O Q The Independent Party Family 0 0 O d t O O The Student's Party Family 0000 0; 00 0 00000 000 0 0 04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o /'"'1 UOO0 00 The Conservative Coalition Party Family 0 O McinP OFal The Michigan Party Family By KAREN TALASKI *ILY STAFF REPORTER Imagine the University as a giant television station. Its satillite beams out 24 hours of spe- cialized programming to 36,000 viewers just like you. Air waves radiate with campus infomercials, situation comedies and dramatic reinactments. If this ever happens, the 1993 Michigan Student Assembly Fall elections would prob- bly be transformed into a highly rated game show. More entertaining than "The Family Feud," campus politics provide Channel U-M with lots of glitz and glamour., But instead of big money prizes, MSA student candidates battle for an assembly seat and a chance to voice their concerns about decisions that affect most of the campus. The students sit on the sidelines, watching MSA's political antics with a cynical eye. They are quick to switch channels if the show hard to answer. With no clear winner in sight, both new and seasoned candidates are willing to do anything for a vote. Whether dragging MSA's reputation through the mud or rallying around old ideological differences, each candidate promises to make the University a better place for students. As everyone knows, the show must go on. becomes dull or the questions become MSA Poling Sites Location EECS Dow Union Fishbowl Natural Resources MLB Dentistry Business Lounge Frieze School of Ed East Engineering Public Health Nursing North Campus Commons CC Little Art/Architecture Music Law Tuesday, Nov. 16 8:05am-3:15pm 8:20am-3:30pm 8:20am-1 0:1 5pm 8:35 am-6:45pm 8:50am-1:00pm 9:05am-12:30pm 10:35am-1:10pm 9:35am-2:10pm 9:35am-11:30am 10:20am-12:45pm 10:50am-1:45pm 2:30 pm-5:00pm 12:30pm-3:00pm 10:35am-2-45nm Wednesday, Nov. 17 8:50am-2:30pm 8:50am-9:15 pm 8:35am-5:45pm 9:05am-12:30pm 9:20am-12:45pm 9:35am-12:00pm 11:05-2:20pm 10:50am-3:00pm 11:35am-2:00pm too T ~ One group that prides itself on having no organized platform is the Beavis n' Butt- Head party. Candidate Brent House said his party's goal is to make "MSA what students want it to be:" a place to have fun. "We want MSA to get the junior politi- cians out of there (and) give students some- thing they could really enjoy," House said. Candidates propose building a monorail between North and Central campus as well as showing episodes of "Beavis n' Butt-Head" during MSA meetings to entertain constitu- ents. While Beavis n' Butt-Head candidates struggle for recognition, older and more es- tablished parties have found their campaigns easier to manage. Since its creation more than five years ago, the Conservative Coalition (CC) has been heavily involved in campus politics. CC candidate Tracy Robinson said one reason her party has been successful is its constant showing in MSA elections. um1WQaro t - Mnctaet lah .. cr^1"IA party that began as a joke has grown into an active branch of MSA. While the Keg Party's first campaign fo- cused on student happiness, its sophomore attempt seems more concerned with improv- ing the assembly by helping students create change on campus. Keg Party candidate Roger Premo said he would like to see MSA get more involved in issues such as campus safety. One of his campaign goals is to increase the number of lights on and around the Diag. "If we could get that done, I would con- sider that a major achievement for students," Premo said. fh~ a c n Nrty F u ndy Another young but familiar face to MSA politics is The Michigan Party, boasting 14 diverse and informed candidates. After the party's success in the last election, candidates believe their reputation on campus is solid. "The Michigan Party is the party that best represents students and only student inter- ests," candidate Jeff Alexander said. "If stu- dents vote solely on a catchy moniker, they are the only ones who will be disserviced." Much of the Michigan Party's platform revolves around continuing to fulfill the prom- ises it made during the last semester: more dorm meetings, increased allocations for stu- dent groups, and less partisian bickering. The~ Pr 9ressive Party Progressive Party candidates, older than most of the other students running, said they want to bring their knowledge and experience to the accomhlw' tahle Students' Party. Candidates say they will be "Putting the 'S' back in MSA." The party claims to be the most diverse group running for election, with students from many social, cultural and political backgrounds. Students' Party chair Devon Bodoh said the party plans to provide more resources ford minority groups by reorganizing the assembly's Multicultural Affairs Commis- sion and others task forces. "When you look at MSA currently, you see a lot of white males," Bodoh said. "This is a very diverse campus and we need to reflect that." The Students' Party promises to increase MSA's relationship with students on this cam- pus as well as those around the country. "Stu- dents need to be representated in both state and local issues," said Conan Smith, Stu- dents' Party co-chair. The Independwnt Famiy Although it may seem like the entire ballot- is made up of political parties, 17 students have entered the race as independents. While some say it is more difficult to win an election" as an independent, many students said they prefer running as individuals. "I wanted to have my own voice. I didn't want policy dictated to me," said Scott Reizen. "I like to be able to have my say and work for something I believe in." Benjamin Bolger, another independent, said he thinks many students who run for MSA forget they are representing students. He said he wants to improve the assembly's point of view. "Change has to ultimately begin with one student." Boler said. "It's a very serious I I