ROTC Does Not Belong At Dartmouth

THIS IS THE FOURTH IN A series of debates between our editorial self at the Alumni Magazine. A few readers have already accused us of favoring one side over another. We've half a mind to agree.

AT THE BEGINNING of the current term the College's Trustees put an end to a glaringly public hypocrisy. The Board said it would eliminate the Dartmouth ROTC program in three years unless the Pentagon lifts its ban on homosexuals.

This would actually be the second time the College bumped officer training. The program was phased out from 1969 to 1973, and then re-established on campus in 1985. Last year the army "deactivated" the College's ROTC, but Dartmouth students are still eligible for the program; they now train at Norwich University, 50 miles away.

While ROTC is no longer at Dartmouth, the military and its antiquated policies are certainly a part of it. The College is in the untenable position of having a strong anti-discrimination policy that covers race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and status as a disabled or Vietnamera veteran. Oh, uh, except (ahem) for Dartmouth students joining ROTC. Gays and lesbians need not apply.

Eventually, of course, the Pentagon will see the error of its ways and grant the same privileges it now gives its own civilian employees, some of whom are openly gay and lesbian. When homosexuals are allowed into ROTC, Dartmouth Trustees say, the program will be welcomed back.

We hope the Board changes its mind by then. The Pentagon's ridiculous policy toward homosexuals shows the problem of having a government presence on campus in the first place. Daniel Webster didn't struggle to keep Dartmouth private for nothing. The needs of government and those of a small college will necessarily diverge from time to time. Government policy will conflict with Dartmouth policy. (In the case of homosexuals, government policy even conflicts with itself.)

The less government at Dartmouth the better. Let's keep the military at arm's length.