Dartmouth, with its serene location and Ivy League charm, doesn't exactly project a warlike image. But the College has a centuries-old relationship with the military that has at times sparked fierce debate.
The Army ROTC's presence on campus represents one of the school's closest ties to the armed forces. The ROTC has had a College organization since the 1950s, and currently has 26 members, according to 2nd Lt. Mike Breen '02.
The ROTC has a fairly unobtrusive presence today, but until recently it was the focus of bitter controversy. All ROTC programs were dismissed from the campus during the Vietnam War, a time when rioting students also took over the administration building to protest the College's stance on the conflict.
Although it was allowed back in the mid-1970s, the ROTC was very unpopular as recently as 1994. The advent of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuality spawned a move to ban the ROTC from the College because it violated Dartmouth's nondiscrimination standard.
But the Trustees chose to allow the program's continuation. The Student Assembly at the same time issued a report calling for the ROTC to remain on campus. However, Dartmouth's faculty did not support the Trustee's decision.
Some students still find the ROTC's presence offensive. Kristen Foery '04, who is involved in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender affairs at Dartmouth, said that the presence of the ROTC and the military recruiters also allowed on campus "flies in direct contradiction of the College's equal opportunity policy."
The military's policy on homosexuality, she said, perpetuates stereotypes, denies homosexuals access to a significant source of education funds and denies them the right to participate in what Foery called "the ultimate act of patriotism," serving in the military.
"It's telling us that we aren't good enough," Foery said.
While Dartmouth may have chosen to allow the ROTC to continue on campus, the presence of military recruiters is mandated by the Solomon Amendment, according to Robert Donin, general counsel.
"It is a federal law that the military must be permitted to have access to college campuses," Donin said. "If Dartmouth did not allow military recruiters, it would lose federal funding."
According to Career Services Director Skip Sturman, Dartmouth has always allowed military recruiters to come on campus, although the recruiters sometimes opt for low profile activities like booths or individual mailings rather than scheduling interviews.
"They participated last week in our employer's fair," Sturman said. "They have all the rights and privileges of other recruiters."
While Dartmouth grants the military equal rights and privileges, some say the armed forces don't offer equal opportunities. For example, military recruiters are unable to sign the College's statement for recruiters that affirms their commitment to nondiscrimination. According to Sturman, the Marine Corps responded to the contract this year by writing that "the US Marine Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not illegally discriminate."
Sturman added that there are always some students who join the military after graduating from Dartmouth, and this year the Marine corps experienced a surge of interest due to Sept. 11.
Not every branch of the military comes to Dartmouth to recruit each year, he said. "Some just send notices," Sturman said. "The Marine Corps seems to be the most active right now, but in the past it has been the Navy or the Air Force."
He admitted that there have been concerns in the past surrounding sexual orientation issues. "Basically, it is a balancing act to try and accommodate the right of the military to recruit and stay true to our guidelines," Sturman said.
Despite the controversy, Dartmouth ROTC coordinator Maj. Greg Goth said that he doesn't perceive the student body's attitude towards the group to be hostile. "I don't see that they perceive us as anything other than another organization," Goth said.
Foery admitted that because the ROTC is relatively small and "not visible," the issue of its presence isn't widely discussed.
Natalie Adams '03 said that because the military keeps a low profile on campus, it is difficult to be opposed to its presence, although she believes that the College should uphold its standards against discrimination.
"It's not like they are plastering posters everywhere," Stephan Wood '05 said. "I do think there is something wrong with the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, but personally I don't have a problem with them being here."
Far from protesting, several students stopped to thank ROTC members for their service to society while they recruited in front of the North Mass dorms on Oct. 1, Goth said.
"They would say, 'It's not what I choose to do, but thank you for doing it,'" Goth said.
Breen said that his membership in ROTC turned into a great discussion topic with other students.
"The reaction I got was overwhelmingly positive, and I got into a lot of great late night conversations about it," Breen said.
Goth sees the ROTC as part of the College's long and rich military tradition. "Dartmouth's military history dates back to the revolutionary war," Goth said. "During the Civil War, groups formed their own units and fought for the Union. In World War II, Dartmouth had more naval students than civilian ones."
The main goal of the ROTC is leadership training and preparation for military service. "If you go through the ROTC, you are commissioned as an officer," Goth said. "You do four years of active duty or eight years in the National Guard."
Participation in the ROTC is relatively sparse at Dartmouth, Goth said, but he attributes this in part to the many other activities students engage in. Also, he said that the Dartmouth education is of such a great value in the business world that the pecuniary rewards of military service don't seem particularly attractive for students.
"The army can't compete with corporate salary," Goth said.
He believes that the Army does offer students much greater market value in the long run, however. Having been through the Army demonstrates character, Goth said, that would make students even more marketable.
"After four years in the army, you will be in even greater demand than after just graduating from Dartmouth," Goth said.
