MICA thrives on nonpartisan voices for debate and discussion

Janine Parziale Features Editor

On the evening of Nov. 2, chances are good that the majority of the Vassar College students will be watching their television screens, anxiously awaiting the results of this “neck and neck” presidential election. The various political groups and forums will be gathered in anticipation for when the results are finally in. Ultimately, some groups will sigh and some will cheer. Yet, no matter what the outcome of the election, members of MICA will have mixed reactions.

The Moderate Independent Conservative Alliance, better known as MICA, is the only Vassar organization whose mission statement is aimed at promoting “non-liberal” views on campus. Their goal includes giving a voice to those who may posses dissenting political, moral, and social opinions, while providing a forum whereby such opinions may be expressed.

MICA President Harrison Kell ’05 said, “There are no specific, unilateral ideas MICA promotes, since we represent such a diverse shading of opinions. We want people merely to consider the fact that there is an alternative way of thinking out there, even if they never encounter it, and that that perspective is as well-reasoned as their own, and thus worthy of the same degree of respect. Also, we would like to make people more aware of how their conduct effects the political minority here on campus.”

As a result, in light of the election, MICA is both divided and united, as the group thrives on debating issues and discussing topics while expanding and sharing their views as a whole.

“You won’t see a discussion like this on any other college campus. We really don’t agree, and that is fine. If we were at another college, we would be three different organizations,” said MICA Secretary Graydon Gordian ’07.

Spurred on by the heat of the presidential election, MICA has been searching to create more issue discussion and inter-group dialogue as they try to promote more free flow of ideas. In recent programming, they sponsored a panel debate that included a MICA representative, a representative from the Feminist Alliance, and one from Democracy Matters as they discussed a variety of social and political issues. In the coming months, the organization also hopes to start a short monthly publication that includes provocative issues to promote informal student dialogue on campus. They are also looking into a panel discussion on postmodernism as well as a possible guest speaker from the armed services. “MICA is a great outlet for people who would otherwise feel alienated by the ‘liberal atmosphere’ this campus possesses,” said MICA member Dan Kalmus ’08.

In the face of this election, the goal of MICA has remained the same: “To present the sides of the issues that are the most overlooked on this campus. We want people to understand why people may be voting for George Bush, even if the idea fills them with horror; it must be impressed upon everyone that while this a crucial decision, it is by no means as clear-cut as the general sentiment would have students think,” said Kell.

“Although I wouldn't consider myself a conservative, I want everyone to know that being a conservative does not equate to liking George W. Bush. In fact, being a good conservative would mean being opposed to most of the policies George W. Bush has enacted,” said Kalmus.

Recently authorized by the Vassar Student Association, MICA will now be able to operate with a budget, which should help to expand their operations, visibility, and membership levels as the group continues to develop. MICA meets every Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Jade Parlor to discuss political issues and build the group towards an open forum of ideas. Such issues recently discussed included: Would John Kerry’s foreign policy merely be a more advanced form of imperialism as opposed to the more clear form of imperialism under Bush? Is the United States a republic, a democracy, or an empire? Are these things mutually exclusive? Many of these questions have no simple answer. This is what the group is all about.

Said Gordian: “The thing I’d hope this organization would achieve is cutting through the rhetoric…this is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas and the more vibrant, the more intelligent the debate, the better.”