Military, not University, selects ROTC instructors

Tuesday's eloquent defense of on-campus ROTC programs and the criticism of the Ivy League schools that have banned them does overlook one significant point: The faculty who direct the military program are, unlike others of us, subjects of an external authority and are only secondarily answerable to the university. I would not challenge the view that many of the ROTC's officers are competent scholars, whose specialized knowledge makes them treasured teachers and valuable colleagues. I do challenge the view, however, that sees nothing amiss with having faculty appointed from without, whether the appointing body be the military or any other extra-university organization. Faculty governance--including the control of course content--has long been viewed as the essential element in free universities, and the appointment of our colleagues in ROTC--who, while subject to University approval, are nonetheless chosen by the military--runs counter to this important tradition.

Peter Klopfer

Research Professor

Department of Biology