Columbia University Votes To End 4-Decade ROTC Ban

NEW YORK -- Student and faculty leaders at Columbia University have voted to welcome the military's ROTC program back to campus four decades after it was banned during the Vietnam War peace movement.

The University Senate voted 51 to 17 with one person abstaining Friday to "explore mutually beneficial relationships with the armed forces of the United States, including participation in the programs of the Reserve Officers Training Corps."

The vote was reported in The New York Times.

Columbia is the latest in a string of Ivy League schools to consider overtures to ROTC following the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which many universities considered discriminatory.

Harvard University officials announced last month that they would formally recognize the Naval ROTC 40 years after the program was banned, and Yale and Brown universities are considering lifting their bans. ROTC has units at more than 300 campuses nationwide.

Columbia banned ROTC in 1969 amid student outrage over the Vietnam War. The move came during a period of campus unrest that included student strikes and the occupation of a main academic building.

Militant members of Columbia's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society helped form the radical Weathermen.

At least one former Weatherman was critical of Columbia's decision to bring ROTC back.

"The U.S. armed forces are a blight on the planet," Brian Flanagan told the Times. "I don't support soldiers – I think they're war criminals. So obviously, I'm against ROTC coming back."

Columbia's University Senate, which helps set university policy, voted 53 to 10 six years ago to keep ROTC out. The decisive issue this time was the repeal of the military's ban on openly gay service members.

Comments

[amtrak92]

05:13 PM on 04/04/2011

All I want is Peace. I don't care how we get it. A world without bombs, a world without weapons, a world without war. And I want One Human Race.

"I'll we are saying is Give Peace A Chance"John Lennon

[MMRDO]

11:30 PM on 04/04/2011

Lol you're funny.

[amtrak92]

11:49 PM on 04/04/2011

Thank you

[norm57]

02:48 PM on 04/04/2011

"The U.S. armed forces are a blight on the planet," Brian Flanagan told the Times. "I don't support soldiers – I think they're war criminals. So obviously, I'm against ROTC coming back."

What a great country we live in that this person can open his hole. He should thank a soldier.

[bluguy8]

12:45 PM on 04/04/2011

until they start a draft again . then it will be rebanned

[KPoggiali]

09:01 AM on 04/04/2011

I do not support everything our military does and I too have become shocked, saddened, and disillusioned by what our government has done and continues to do. However, I also do not support bans on ROTC (unfortunately, my university still holds one). Unfortunately, higher education is becoming more and more favorable to the elite, due to rising tuition and decreasing financial aid (so much for my university's "social justice" ideals). ROTC gives people an opportunity to afford college, not to mention excellent training in leadership skills and quick thinking. Further, our military does do good things, such as responding to humanitarian crises and can provide support to oppressed people (who ask for it). I think it's a shame that people who claim to uphold values of tolerance would be so intolerant to different opinions and choices.

For the record, I am liberal, a student of international development, I've lived in Kenya, and, while I haven't been in the military, I have not done drugs and I worked and paid my rent throughout most of my college career. So, no, not all of us non-military youth are privileged deadbeats.

[MMRDO]

11:32 PM on 04/04/2011

That's ridiculous that people even suggest that.

[am10]

10:28 AM on 04/05/2011

"So, no, not all of us non-milita ry youth are privileged deadbeats."

No one said that - I'm not military either. But to hear jerks like Flanagan and others on this board say junk like that, then I do think they are either privileged deadbeats, ungrateful brats, or very stupid people who watch too much TV.

[UnRed]

12:00 AM on 04/03/2011

What we need is a good ol' fashioned draft to start scarin' these folks into some social responsibility.

Little Juniors start comin' home in boxes, things start gettin' sane again, like back in the day.

[Parade Keegan]

12:45 AM on 04/03/2011

Approximately 5900 service members killed to date in Iraq/Afghanistan. Here's a thought for you; they all volunteered! Because this 5900 volunteered does that make them less significant? No. I'm not condoning war/wars but pi**y, vindictive comments "what we need is a good old fashioned draft to start scaring these folks" is disingenuous.

[eljefefx]

07:36 AM on 04/03/2011

Son, I don't want to serve next to slaves. I want to serve next to people who chose to be there.

[Chris Herz]

11:43 PM on 04/02/2011

All this means is that all elements of the US polity now understand how important to the almighty economy is the military led plundering of countries beyond our borders.

[Sock De Jour]

10:23 PM on 04/02/2011

Bad news for America, and for students.

[mike dougles]

11:16 PM on 04/02/2011

Freedom of choice, is a good thing, right?

[Sock De Jour]

07:22 AM on 04/03/2011

Joining an entity that funds the MIC and murders_human beings in the name of the state, is not freedom. It's reprehensible.

[k man]

12:12 AM on 04/03/2011

What? The repeal of DADT?

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

10:20 PM on 04/02/2011

Serving in a self-defense force meant to protect the citizens and help out is noble.
Serving in the largest military on earth, meant to protect corporate interests and America's rich elite not so much.

Went through NROTC and served in the Navy as a SWO. Could not pay for college, that was pretty much my only ticket to what I'm doing now. Doesn't mean I have to approve imperialism. I still have problems accepting that somehow Bush made me an accomplice to his war crimes, albeit indirectly. But it's true and I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life.

[am10]

12:16 PM on 04/03/2011

The military is full of many different personalities and political opinions. However, your story is very formulaic and I'm suspecting BS. Please let us know more details on your service and education to prove me wrong.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

03:35 PM on 04/03/2011

"your story is very formulaic and I'm suspecting BS"

This is from a guy who called Ann Coulter "a bright woman." I'd say your powers of perception aren't too sharp... BTW, plenty of stories like mine, if you had ANY idea what you're talking about.

[MMRDO]

07:58 AM on 04/04/2011

She was in the Navy, I've spoken to her in the past.

[Fretchen]

01:57 AM on 04/05/2011

"Serving in the largest military on earth....". That is a false statement.

The US military is probably the best trained, equipped and effective, but it is NOT the largest by size or by military members per capita.

The figures below are from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_troops

About the List:
The numbers are rounded and provided in millions.
Key: AD = Active Duty OT = Reserve, National Guard, and Paramilitary

United States: AD: 1.6 OT: 0.9 Total: 2.5 million

Russia: AD 1.0 OT: 20.5 Total: 21.5 million
North Korea: AD: 1.1 OT: 8.3 Total: 9.4 million
South Korea: AD: 0.7 OT: 8.0 Total; 8.6 million
Vietnam: AD: 0.5 OT: 5.0 Total: 5.5 million
India: AD: 1.3 OT: 3.4 Total: 4.7 million
China: AD: 2.3 OT: 2.3 Total: 4.6 million
Iran: AD: 0.5 OT: 2.3 Total: 2.8 million

[am10]

10:31 AM on 04/05/2011

Don't post facts. It wouldn't go along with the romance novel she's writing.

[AgedInWood]

10:20 PM on 04/02/2011

Good decision. If students at Columbia want to join the ROTC, they should be able to do so AT Columbia. They shouldn't have to travel to Fordham or where ever they're currently being sent to.

ROTC graduates serve as engineering officers on submarines, pilots transporting troops to combat or food and materials on humanitarian missions, administrative officers in personnel and finance, medics, etc. People need to get it out of their heads that if you join the military, you're going to be given a M16, dropped off in the middle of Afghanistan, and forced to shoot "brown people" for x amount of time. If you want to be an infantry officer, then try to be one. It's not the only option available, though.

Also, a lot of companies like to hire vets because of their military training and the skills they acquired during their service. Remember US Airways flight 1549, the plane that landed in the Hudson? The pilot, Capt. Sullenberger, graduated from the Air Force Academy and flew fighter jets for 5 years. He credits his military training for the quick decision making he had to do to successfully land/ditch flight 1549. If Capt. Sullenberger hadn't retired, do you think Brian Flanagan would want him piloting his next flight? I know I would.

[Nancy Lynne Kriescher]

10:27 PM on 04/02/2011

Agree to some of this, but remember, the Country is differant now.. and I feel Parents are not so Trusting of Military now.. and I fear ""Head Cases maybe the ones accepted..

[am10]

12:19 PM on 04/03/2011

It's been my experience that parents that "refuse" to let their kids join the military are too controlling and not realistic. It's like parents who don't want their kids to be police or firemen but think nothing of calling 911 when they are in trouble.

[theaustralian]

10:17 PM on 04/02/2011

Only a really ignorant person would join the u.s military at this stage when it is obvious beyond a doubt that they are just an expeditionary force ready to loot foreign countries and have nothing to do with the defence of the nation. So i think that there wont be many people with promising futures joining the military.

[rightstroke]

10:20 PM on 04/02/2011

what country have we looted?

[theaustralian]

10:41 PM on 04/02/2011

iraq, south korea, vietnam, saudi arabia and the list goes on. In so many countries the us state department gets the military to sell weapons to oppressive regimes so that american corporations can then get cheap contracts. Getting the oppressive dicatorships to sell water rights, electricity rights, allowing cheap subsidised american imports into the country. All so corporations can make extra bucks.

[eljefefx]

07:42 AM on 04/03/2011

Wow, thank you for insulting me and all of those who are currently serving.

[theaustralian]

10:19 AM on 04/03/2011

I'm sorry the truth hurts. But it really isnt my fault you didn't see what was really going on. War and the military have only served the interests of the elite rich and powerful. You might of joined for watever reason, but have no doubt the elite who never send their children into battle think your a fool. Unless they think you so subhuman that they have no greater expectations of you then for you to risk life and limb.

[Jason Tien]

09:25 PM on 04/02/2011

What about the fact that the military still discriminates against women? When will women be allowed to serve on the front lines?

[eljefefx]

10:04 PM on 04/02/2011

When the public finds it acceptable.

[JoeTheProgrammer]

10:22 PM on 04/02/2011

Women should not serve on the front lines.

[warmandfuzzy]

09:12 PM on 04/02/2011

Congratulations on a good decision.

[hagagaga]

08:48 PM on 04/02/2011

Brian Flanagan is "a blight upon this planet."

Don't stand behind them? Stand in front of them!

Hooah!

After I finish my education (not including a Ph.D. or two), you will be referring to me as either "lieutenant" or "ensign," I haven't decided yet.

In the immortal words of Robert A. Heinlein in his book Starship Troopers, "The most noble fate a man can endure is to place his own mortal body between his loved home and the war's desolation."

[eljefefx]

10:05 PM on 04/02/2011

Amen.

[MMRDO]

08:03 AM on 04/04/2011

Get them to pay for the Ph.D. if you can, they might knock you to O-3 or 4 with it too, if they're paying, take it.

[Duppy]

08:42 PM on 04/02/2011

I loves me some progressives ! Go Columbia !

[bamfBeverly]

08:14 PM on 04/02/2011

Good news!