Students: Sever Ties To ROTC

Two student leaders presented President Neil L. Rudenstine with requests Monday by 508 undergraduates for a refund of tuition monies paid to the Reserve Officers Training Corps program in which Harvard students are enrolled.

The requests were collected on petitions distributed by the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Student Association (BALSA) and the Civil Liberties Union of Haggard (CLUE).

The two groups are pressuring Harvard to cut its financial ties to ROTC because of the military's discrimination against gays who are open about their sexual orientation.

"It's important to have him realize that students care," says Jeff A. Redding '96, who works as gay projects leader for Harvard's civil liberties union and helped deliver the petitions. "He recognizes that students are concerned." The petitions represent a request for more than$10,000 in refunds.

"It's a significant amount students are askingback," Redding said.

The Petitions delivered to Rudenstine expressoutrage at Harvard's continuing ties to ROTC.

"I believe that Harvard should fund education,not discrimination," the petitions, said. "Forthat reason I am requesting the refund of my shareof Harvard's annual payment to MIT's ROTC program.Harvard's current contribution of $130,000 a yearto MIT's ROTC program ($20 per undergraduate) isunacceptable..."

Redding and Dennis K. Lin '94, former BGLSAco-chair, said they also asked Rudenstine duringhis office hours Monday about ongoing discussionswith MIT regarding a settlement of the ROTC issue.

They said they were concerned by statementsmade last month--but recently recanted--by a MITofficial who said the two schools were notdiscussing a settlement.

"We're really concerned about the recentdevelopment. It's very important that PresidentRudenstine by upfront with us," Redding said. "Wewant to hear directly from President Rudenstinethat he's negotiating in good faith."

Redding and Lin said Rudenstine told them he isnegotiating with MIT President Charles M. Vest.

"I believe him," Lin said. "He has been verygay-friendly. I think he's sincere."

"He is an intelligent person who has theability to see what's right," Redding said.

Lin and Redding also said they feel it isimperative that the issue be resolved quickly,especially since the Faculty has voted recently tostop the University's $130,000 payment to MIT.

"If they decide to delay this, there will beprotests," Lin said. "A year should be a more thansufficient amount of time."

"It's not because we want to screw the ROTCpeople," he added. "It's a matter ofdiscrimination.

"It's a significant amount students are askingback," Redding said.

The Petitions delivered to Rudenstine expressoutrage at Harvard's continuing ties to ROTC.

"I believe that Harvard should fund education,not discrimination," the petitions, said. "Forthat reason I am requesting the refund of my shareof Harvard's annual payment to MIT's ROTC program.Harvard's current contribution of $130,000 a yearto MIT's ROTC program ($20 per undergraduate) isunacceptable..."

Redding and Dennis K. Lin '94, former BGLSAco-chair, said they also asked Rudenstine duringhis office hours Monday about ongoing discussionswith MIT regarding a settlement of the ROTC issue.

They said they were concerned by statementsmade last month--but recently recanted--by a MITofficial who said the two schools were notdiscussing a settlement.

"We're really concerned about the recentdevelopment. It's very important that PresidentRudenstine by upfront with us," Redding said. "Wewant to hear directly from President Rudenstinethat he's negotiating in good faith."

Redding and Lin said Rudenstine told them he isnegotiating with MIT President Charles M. Vest.

"I believe him," Lin said. "He has been verygay-friendly. I think he's sincere."

"He is an intelligent person who has theability to see what's right," Redding said.

Lin and Redding also said they feel it isimperative that the issue be resolved quickly,especially since the Faculty has voted recently tostop the University's $130,000 payment to MIT.

"If they decide to delay this, there will beprotests," Lin said. "A year should be a more thansufficient amount of time."

"It's not because we want to screw the ROTCpeople," he added. "It's a matter ofdiscrimination.