Education

Return From Exile: ROTC Back on Harvard Campus

BOSTON (AP) — The Reserve Officer Training Corps’ four-decade exile from Harvard University campus ends Friday with an agreement that was spurred by a congressional vote allowing gays to serve openly in the military.

Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus are scheduled to sign an agreement Friday that will establish the Naval ROTC’s formal presence on campus for the first time since the Vietnam War era, the university announced Thursday.

ROTC first exited amid anti-war sentiment, and the school lately kept it off campus and stopped funding the program because of the policy that prevented gays from serving openly. But Faust said she had worked toward ROTC’s return after Congress repealed the so-called “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in December.

Under the agreement with the Navy, a director of Naval ROTC at Harvard will be appointed, and the university will resume funding the program. The program also will be given office space and access to athletic fields and classrooms.

Harvard cadets will still train, as they have for years, as part of a consortium based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also located in Cambridge, next to Boston. Currently, 20 Harvard students participate in ROTC, including 10 involved in Naval ROTC.

Harvard is the first elite school to agree to rescind its ban since December.

Faust said the “renewed relationship” affirms the armed forces’ vital role in “securing our freedoms.”

“It broadens the pathways for students to participate in an honorable and admirable calling and in doing so advances our commitment to both learning and service,” she said in a press release.

Mabus said the agreement would make the military better and the nation stronger because “with exposure comes understanding, and through understanding comes strength.”

Harvard and several other prominent schools, including Stanford, Yale and Columbia, had kept the Vietnam-era ROTC ban in place following the war because they viewed the military policy forbidding gays from serving openly as discriminatory.

The 17-year-old policy, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” requires soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to keep their homosexuality a secret or face dismissal.

Under the agreement to be signed Friday, “full and formal” recognition of ROTC at Harvard comes once the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” takes effect, expected later this year. Full repeal comes 60 days after the president, defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that lifting the ban won‘t hurt the military’s ability to fight. The Army is currently training its force in the new law and officials said they hope to be finished by mid-August.

ROTC was founded in 1916 to ensure educated men were well-represented in the military. Students receive scholarship money in return for agreeing to military service after graduation. In 1926, Harvard became one of the original six schools to partner with Naval ROTC.

ROTC exited numerous campuses during the Vietnam War under pressure from student protesters who said the military’s presence on campus was the same as endorsing the war.

Harvard voted to withhold academic credit from ROTC in 1969, and the program left the campus a few years later. Harvard then stopped funding the program in 1995, saying “don’t ask, don’t tell” violated its non-discrimination policies.

Training for Harvard cadets has since been paid for by anonymous donors, and some have criticized Harvard‘s policy as a disgraceful lack of support for military men and women risking their lives in the country’s defense. Others said it was a needed stand against discrimination.

On Thursday, Harvard said it’s working toward renewing ties with ROTC programs associated with other military branches. It’s also starting a committee to assist with implementing ROTC at Harvard, which will be headed by engineering professor Kevin “Kit” Parker, an Army major who has served three tours in Afghanistan.

Before Faust, former Harvard president Larry Summers spoke in support of ROTC, saying “every Harvard student” should be proud Harvard students were committed to ROTC, but the campus ban remained with “don’t ask, don’t tell” in place.

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni, which has called on Harvard to allow ROTC on campus, praised Harvard’s decision and urged other schools to follow suit.

“It’s time for our campuses to put the anti-military sentiment of the ’60s behind them and properly support students who wish to serve our country and to defend our liberties,” said Anne Neal, the group’s president and a Harvard alum. “For too long, there has been a chasm between the nation’s elite schools and those who defend them.”

Comments (31)

  • the point
    Posted on March 5, 2011 at 10:04am

    The “ eelight” colleges and universities banned ROTC because of the ROTC’s stance on gays. After the recent reversal on gays by the Feds, the schools are having second thought. This should tell
    the people that a good number of the students attending these schools are gay…I would think.

    Report Post »  
  • Fina Biscotti
    Posted on March 5, 2011 at 4:12am

    Usurper ObaMOBSTER’s appointee to the US Supreme Court Elena Kagan – personally staged protests as Dean of Harvard – against the military – having recruiting officers on campaus.

    Kagan ignored a US Supreme Court ruling against her actions as “unconstitutional” – in which the court ordered that she was to provide equal access to the Career Services Office on campus.

    Through the usual delaying tactics of thugs – believing themselves to be above the law – she refused to honor the US Supreme Court ruling – continued to personally stage protests on campus against the military – until Harvard was placed on notice – it would lose all government funding – is they did not stop her bullshyt and get her to honor the US Supreme Court ruling, to grant the military recruiting officers equal access to the Career Services Offices on campus. Kagan delayed it for over one year.

    Also during her confirmation hearings as US Supreme Court Justice, Kagan LIED about her actions – that should have prevented her confirmation – when she was called-out by one of our senators for intentionally lying and refusing to place “on-record” the problems that she caused when she refused to honor the US Supreme Court ruling. So the US Senator placed the information on-record.

    Report Post »  
    • Fina Biscotti
      Posted on March 5, 2011 at 4:52am

      btw, Elena Kagan is also faced w disbarment proceedings – for FALSIFYING and altering a medical report – on pain tremors during partial-birth abortions – to gain a favorable ruling from a court of law – through fraudulent means – during the Clinton Administration.

      Kagan also refused to submit her writings as Solicitor General – under the Obama Administration – that were required for her confirmation hearings –
      in which Eric Holder as US Attorney General acted as defense counsel for Kagan withholding her writings as Solicitor General.

      Holder’s gross conflict of interests are an abuse of his authority and power – as US Attorney General – since his job position requires him to be in service to our country – and should be securing the documents for Kagan’s confirmation hearings as US Supreme Court Justice – not Holder providing assistance to obstruct the documents that Kagan was withholding from her confirmation hearings.

      But since Eric Holder intentionally withheld his legal writings – in his representation of Radical Muslim Terrorists as a civilian attorney – from his confirmation hearings -
      Holder participated in a criminal conspiracy to be confirmed as US AG…….so that he could use his position as US AG to defend Radical Muslim Terrorists – instead of being in service to our country – as US AG prosecuting Radical Muslim Terrorists for their Acts of War against the USA.

      Holder is using his position as a US Government employee – for political purposes – as a Terrorist Sympathizer – protecting the interests of Radical Islam.

      Having a Communist on the US Supreme Court bench – would be helpful to their cause – to attack the American justice system – in their ACTS of WAR against the United States of America – as Political Terrorists.

      Report Post »  
  • Vanmin
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:43pm

    You know why?

    It’s because there is some semblance of equality in military for homosexuals to serve for their country. Give and take.

    Report Post »  
  • ivdad
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:14pm

    Don’t give Harvard any money for any reason until the 40+ years of banning the ROTC has been passed.

    Report Post » ivdad  
  • Scalzo
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:49am

    Seriously? You’re comparing Harvard to NAMBLA? Those entities seem equivalent to you? Or are you attempting to justify you membership in NAMBLA?

    I’m going to go with this being witty sarcasm on your part. Yeah. That’s got to be it…

    Report Post » Scalzo  
  • kreese
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:46am

    It is very simple, if Harvard doesn’t want the ROTC, then take no federal money.

    Of course, this is how the federal government has screwed up public education across the country.

    Report Post »  
    • Vanmin
      Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:45pm

      If they don’t take “Federal” government’s money, wouldn’t that be one less institution to take funds from the tax payers?

      As a private institution, they should also decline entry to any Teanuts backer on the ground of cultivating future fascist little Eichmanns.

      Report Post »  
  • dawg of gawd
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:43am

    Looks like Obama once again did what Bush couldn’t do.

    Report Post » dawg of gawd  
  • Scalzo
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:39am

    I love that ignorance is now a virtue and anyone that wants to better themselves through education is an elitist.

    Report Post » Scalzo  
  • PIL
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:56am

    I’m sure there are a few patriots at Harvard that would like to serve their country, so this is good news.
    http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/

    Report Post » PIL  
  • TRUSTNO MAN
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:51am

    Careful! Stranger things have happened when the freaks of Cambridge run low on weed and cheetos!

    No one has asked “what if ya have a dance and no one shows up?” ROTC……take the advantage and bring your History and Service where it will be honored the way it should and tell Harvard to stuff it!
    This Vet (40 years ago from MA) is not proud of his birth state for such reasons as this. Keep your Gaystate. You deserve it.

    Report Post » TRUSTNO MAN  
  • J_Ind_Boston
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:46am

    Thanks but no thank Harvard.

    Report Post »  
  • Beware of Romans
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:38am

    War used to be about protecting innocent people abroad. Since World War II, so-called Progressive ‘Jesuits’ from Harvard and georgetown have reshaped the American military as a tool to push their fascist global ‘New World order’ desires. Pretty easy to do when you dominate BOTH the Democrat and Republican Parties. Thank God for the Tea Party Movement!

    “It is my opinion that if the liberties of this country – the United States of America – are destroyed, it will be by the subtlety of the Roman Catholic Jesuit priests, for they are the most crafty, dangerous enemies to civil and religious liberty. They have instigated MOST of the wars of Europe.” Marquis de LaFayette (1757-1834; French statesman and general. He served in the American Continental Army under the command of General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.)
    “The war [i.e., the American Civil War of 1861-1865] would never have been possible without the sinister influence of the Jesuits.” Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865; 16th President of the United States)
    “My history of the Jesuits is not eloquently written, but it is supported by unquestionable authorities, [and] is very particular and very horrible. Their [the Jesuit Order’s] restoration [in 1814 by Pope Pius VII] is indeed a step toward darkness, cruelty, despotism, [and] death. … I do not like the appearance of the Jesuits. If ever there was a body of men who merited eternal damnation on earth and in hell, it is this Society of [Ignatius de] Loyola.” John Adams (1735-1826; 2nd President of the United States)

    “The public is practically unaware of the overwhelming responsibility carried by the Vatican and its Jesuits in the starting of the two world wars – a situation which may be explained in part by the gigantic finances at the disposition of the Vatican and its Jesuits, giving them power in so many spheres, especially since the last conflict.” Edmond Paris (Author of the book The Secret History of the Jesuits)
    “The Jesuits…are a secret society – a sort of Masonic order – with superadded features of revolting odiousness, and a thousand times more dangerous.” – Samuel Morse (1791-1872; American inventor of the telegraph; author of the book Foreign Conspiracy Against the Liberties of the United States)
    “The Jesuits are a MILITARY organization, not a religious order. Their chief is a general of an army, not the mere father abbot of a monastery. And the aim of this organization is power – power in its most despotic exercise – absolute power, universal power, power to control the world by the volition of a single man [i.e., the Black Pope, the Superior General of the Jesuits]. Jesuitism is the most absolute of despotisms [sic] – and at the same time the greatest and most enormous of abuses…” Napoleon I (i.e., Napoleon Bonaparte; 1769-1821; emperor of the French)
    “Between 1555 and 1931 the Society of Jesus [i.e., the Jesuit Order] was expelled from at least 83 countries, city states and cities, for engaging in political intrigue and subversion plots against the welfare of the State, according to the records of a Jesuit priest of repute [Thomas J. Campbell]. …Practically every instance of expulsion was for political intrigue, political infiltration, political subversion, and inciting to political insurrection.” (1987) J.E.C. Shepherd (Canadian historian)

    Report Post » Beware of Romans  
  • Ken
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:29am

    And when the White House and Senate become conservative in 2013, and DODT makes a comeback, the ROTC will come right back off campus again.

    Report Post »  
  • psst
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:13am

    Will Haaavaaad have a beer summit w/ only Happy peoples invited to celebrate the glorious occasion of Abomination Acceptance.

    Report Post »  
  • chkiaar
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:11am

    They obviously want more Federal $$

    Report Post »  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 8:52am

    What self respecting future soldier would want to rub elbows with snobs who hate and villify the millitary. Its on par with if Jessie Jackson would want to “hang” out with the KKK.

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
  • truthncharity
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 8:50am

    Why now?

    Report Post » truthncharity  
  • ares338
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 8:29am

    This is as it should be. They now have a choice to decide whether or not to be in ROTC.

    Report Post » ares338  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 7:58am

    The only caveat is…all ROTC personel on campus must be gay.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 7:49am

    That is a real toss up. Don’t ask/don’t tell v.s. ROTC. How about ROTC, don’t ask/don’t tell, and get rid of Kagan on the Supreme Court. Now that would be a perfect triangle.

    Report Post »  
  • emertz8413
    Posted on March 4, 2011 at 7:46am

    40+ years of anti-military sentiment can’t be extinguished with the stroke of a pen. It’s my guess is those that choose to serve in ROTC will be harassed and villified on these snobby elitist campuses.

    Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on March 4, 2011 at 8:48am

      Your absolutely correct. On this campus they believe it is the in thing to put down our military. These people and their progressive professors are all cowards.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:10am

      This is an Anti-American university. Do not hire anyone with a degree from this school.

      Report Post »  
    • canuck44
      Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:27pm

      I am disappointed that the ROTC is returning…we do not need officers to be drawn from the ranks of leftists and other socialists. Instead of putting resources into Harvard there should be an effort to remove funding. They are unique only in their own minds…I have no problem with pulling virtually all the liberal arts grants, all the affirmative action money wasters and anything to do with the law school.

      Report Post »  
    • jackrorabbit
      Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:52pm

      Save the money ROTC and leave the pipe smoking elites to themselves. The less the know about how to use a gun, the better for the rest of us.

      Report Post »  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love