Word: rotc
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Indeed, Harvard does not (and should not) hold the military, ROTC, or individual cadets and midshipmen responsible for the policy by including this statement in its handbook for current and prospective students. And in no way does the statement imply that students who make the decision to participate in ROTC are themselves acting in opposition to Harvard’s values...
...points at the heart of the debate over recognition are worth clarifying. Regardless of whether ROTC deserves recognition on the merits of its mission alone, the program continues to enforce the inherently discriminatory DADT policy. As such, pending changes to federal law, Harvard cannot officially recognize ROTC because the program enforces a policy irreconcilable with Harvard’s nondiscrimination policy. The university’s position in no way rests on a claim about who is responsible for the policy. Rather, it is the direct consequence of the reality that the “current federal policy of excluding...
...Having made these arguments, it would be wrong to claim that there is a satisfactory status quo for ROTC at Harvard. While the aforementioned poll has stirred up a great deal of controversy (not limited to our campus), the recent HRC campaign has contributed productively to the debate over official recognition by bringing to light the struggles and concerns expressed by ROTC members on campus. If cadets and midshipmen feel “unwelcome” or even “degraded,” as Weatherl writes, by the atmosphere at Harvard—even to the extent that...
...would be a mistake to blame the university’s position on official recognition for this disgraceful fact. Indeed, the responsibility for the cool reception of ROTC cadets on our campus extends far beyond even the symbolic reach of cross-registration fees and student-handbook disclaimers to the words and actions of every member of the Harvard community. As such, while we cannot sweep these cadets’ concerns to the side by claiming a principled stance, neither can we simply ignore the deep injustice of a policy that excludes and discharges individuals for speaking a truth about themselves...
...principles at stake here that seem too basic to repeat. Every student should feel welcome at Harvard. Every student should feel supported in pursuing something she believes in. But until Congress repeals the discriminatory policies of the Clinton era, the university cannot and should not extend official recognition to ROTC. If the Obama administration dismantles this disgraceful legacy of the past, then University Hall should not hesitate to support the ROTC program just as it does any of the other numerous student organizations on campus. As for me, I personally fully support all the midshipmen and cadets here on campus...