Editor:

In the 44 years since the Washington University Faculty Senate voted to deny credit for ROTC classes, the United States has been through about a dozen unnecessary wars. I suspect many ROTC graduates participated. If a student wants to join the military, great, but where does training soldiers fit within the University’s goals?

In the days before the Internet and during the Vietnam War, I registered for a ROTC class because the department claimed that it was just like every other department. However, when I appeared for my first day in 1969, I was told by the officer/”professor,” who had been selected by the Department of Defense, that I needed to be accepted by the DOD and was asked to leave. I suspect the same is true now.

If the faculty wants to give credit for this academic pursuit, it ought to apply the same standards in terms of admission, teaching and academic excellence that it applies to, let’s say, the sociology department, which was just reinstated.

Norman Pressman
Editor Student Life 1969-70