Cardinal Points

Issue date: 11/3/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Holly Boname Plattsburgh State University College students and faculty as well as members of the Plattsburgh community participate in the open discussion about the Reserve Officer Training Program. The discussion was held so individuals could express their opinions about developing an ROTC program at PSUC.

At an often heated public discussion by college community, students and faculty weighed in Thursday evening on whether or not to bring a Reserve Officer Training Program to Plattsburgh State University College.

"We will not militarize your university one bit," promised Lt. Col. Steve Koebrich, professor of military science for UVM and one of the coordinators for that school's ROTC program.

"We're bringing the ROTC back to Plattsburgh," Koebrich said, referencing Reserve Officer Training Program's birthplace at the Plattsburgh Army Barracks in 1917.

History Professor Dr. Douglas Skopp, who oversees the Faculty Senate, facilitated the town hall meeting, which featured a wide range of student and professor opinions.

Controversial issues ranging from the college's role in war and peace matters, the military's "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy, to the possibility of the draft being brought back were debated.

Several former and current Army officers spoke in vehement defense of the program, expressing that it built leadership and self-discipline.

In response to concerns about the military's perceived anti-gay policies, Koebrich said, "We include a lot of sensitivity training in all of our courses - seminars that speak on that subject (involve) respect and consideration for others."

Koebrich criticized the Student Association's resolution requiring ROTC students to participate in campus diversity programs.

"ROTC shouldn't be singled out - our values are your values," he said. "I'm not ashamed at what my values are and I don't need additional training in it."

Many professors emphasized that the decision to allow the ROTC needed to be made in the best interests of the PSUC student body. Some pointed out that by allowing the program, there would be greater opportunities for students interested in the military. Other speakers were not as enthusiastic.

Women's Studies Professor Lynda Ames was especially outspoken against ROTC at the discussion.

"I find this proposal problematic," Ames said. "War has never been the answer ... the U.S. military is fundamentally sexist and homophobic - the level of sexual assault in the military academies is appalling and shameful. Good soldiers are being driven out of the military for who they are. We should not be part of this system."

In contrast, PSUC Senior Andy Arthur thought the program should be accepted on a trial basis.

"I think it's worth a try, and (I hope) we try to keep an open mind," Arthur said.

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