Ceremony Must Go

While we empathize with and understand the staff's concern for the Harvard students who participate in ROTC, we believe that Harvard's non-discriminatory policy supersedes the privilege of holding a commissioning ceremony on campus.

The non-discrimination policy holds a central place at Harvard University. Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation is arbitrary and unfair, and Harvard can not survive as a diverse, open community if it sanctions discriminatory organizations in any way.

The staff acknowledges that the military's ban on openly gay cadets is unfair, and yet it would still allow ROTC to use precious Harvard Yard space during Commencement Week. This strikes us as inconsistent and wrong; Harvard should not give any kind of support to organizations or programs that discriminate against its own students.