Students debate ROTC in forum

A small but vocal crowd grappled with the morality of keeping Reserve Officer Training Corps units on campus in an 90-minute forum last Thursday night in the Quadrangle. The two panel members, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance member Sloan Wiesen and Undergraduate Assembly member David Rose, discussed the problems with having ROTC on campus and offered various solutions to the issue. College junior Rose defended ROTC's presence on campus by saying there is no clear cut solution to the issue. "You talk about activism," Rose said. "When you see the light, something riles you up. You see the easy way as the solution." Rose continually asked the audience to consider who was really being affected by having ROTC on campus. He said that ROTC is a very positive force on campus, and that the issue of homosexuals in ROTC should "lead to a change in Department of Defense policy." Rose urged the University community to feel the gravity of the issue, and take action to create change that would affect the University on a long-term basis. Rose said that the short-term moral appeal of removing the ROTC from campus, would be "dangerous," since it would not address the true issue. "Instead of [being] true activists, people are settling for a short-term fix," Rose said. "They are not really doing anything." Wiesen spoke next and said that while he respects Rose's views, he looks at the issue differently. "The University found ROTC in violation of the University's own policy," the College senior said. "I think from the students' point of view, it [removing the ROTC from campus] would not hurt because of all the provisions being made." Wiesen stressed that provisions could be made by the University in the event that the ROTC did leave campus. He said that he would support allowing University students to be members of ROTC units at neighboring schools. He also said he supports the University Council resolution, passed last month, which calls on the Defense Department to change its policy on homosexuals in the ROTC. "I do not want to see the ROTC removed from campus," Wiesen said. After the speeches, several of the 20 audience members expressed their views on what many considered a delicate issue. "By removing the ROTC you are removing a vehicle for change," said College senior Glenn Yeck, one of many ROTC members at the forum. "Today's cadets are tomorrow's policy makers within the military." College junior Rachel Wagman, who coordinated the event, said she is concerned about the morality of the issue as well. "When it comes down to it a lot more people will be hurt by the ROTC leaving, than the ROTC staying," Wagman said.

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