Return of the Wolverine Party
By Dustin Lee

General apathy toward student government at the University of Michigan has, in the past, plagued the lives of students. However, with a record number of students turning out for last semester’s round of Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) elections and with the Republican and Democratic primaries coming to an end, political awareness and governmental concern has reached new heights.

The upcoming days promise to offer an exciting and interesting battle between the many students and their respective parties for seats on MSA. Moreover, not only are seats available merely for representatives, but a new student body president will also be elected. And perhaps no one is more excited about this opportunity than MSA presidential candidate Rory Diamond, leader of the newly revived Wolverine Party. 

Says Diamond, “MSA has dropped the ball. And we’re here to pick it up.” The truth echoing in Diamond’s statement clearly resonates the predominant reason for student apathy towards MSA. Ask any number of students at U-M what their student government has accomplished in the past semester and few would have a substantial answer. Instead of focusing on student concerns, MSA is more concerned with passing resolutions concerning foreign governments and squabbling over issues not even within its jurisdiction.

“MSA has become too incestuous,” says Diamond. “MSA should be for everybody; not just a group of friends.” Diamond further went on to explain that MSA has also become too political and that the majority of its resolutions are initiated by a select group of representatives whose interests do not represent the interests of the student body.

Enter the Wolverine Party. Designed with the intention of taking the politics out of MSA and creating a student government with “simple, attainable goals” such as twenty four hour libraries, decreasing the tax on textbooks, and more accessible transit systems, Diamond has put together a slate of candidates who vow to fight for student interests. Furthermore, Diamond’s vice presidential running mate, Marcy Greenberger, is a staunch Democrat, while Diamond affiliates himself with the Republican Party. Putting aside their political differences, these two candidates will eliminate the political parties that currently dominate MSA.

Drawing support from a mass of students has propelled the Wolverine Party into the limelight. And perhaps the greatest reason for such an overabundance of support manifests itself in the fact that the Wolverine Party has no targeted demographic—just students. Other parties such as the Defend Affirmative Action Party (DAAP) and the All People’s Party (APP), however, have a very narrow focus, and therefore will unlikely win many seats on MSA.

Confident in his ability to win not only the presidential chair, but also lead his party to a victory come March 23, Diamond is excited with his current opportunity. Furthermore, current MSA representative and proud Wolverine Party member Ryan Gregg voices his support of their mission. Gregg, who ran as an Independent last semester, has joined the Wolverine Party to help campaign manage and reveal the sham that MSA has become. Says Gregg, “the Wolverine Party is the best way to represent the voice of the students.”

However, despite the confidence of the Wolverine Party, it is sure to face a bit of competition. Many believe presidential candidate Hideki Tsutsumi, who has been campaigning for over a year now and is, perhaps, the most widely known non-athlete on U-M campus, will make a run at the presidency. Diamond says he “admires his spirit,” but is confident of a Wolverine victory in the coming weeks.

Also, the Friends Rebelling Against Tyranny (FRAT) Party will likely win its first seat ever in MSA history, despite its short lived presence and odd campaign message. Says Diamond of the FRAT Party, “even if they win some seats, they couldn’t make a bigger mockery out of MSA than it already is.” And that’s a Blue Party dominated government.

When asked why he choose to revive the former Wolverine Party, a party that dissolved several years ago due to lack of cohesion and support, Diamond claims that his Wolverine Party has no affiliation with the old Wolverine Party. “I like the name and feel it really encompasses the passion and respect we have for Michigan,” he remarks. “With a name that immediately calls to mind the University of Michigan, we feel that we have the proper tools in place to support the students attending this great university. And they’re the reason we have this party—the students.”