Universities around the country tussle with military recruiters

The United States has always heavily depended upon the participation and willingness of the nation's youth to join the military. But lately recruiters have received harsh reviews from universities that do not agree with their recruiting procedures. In February the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia said that specific law schools had the First Amendment right to prohibit military recruiters whose policies discriminated against homosexuals.\nThis policy was passed by Congress in 1996, when it officially became known as the Solomon Amendment. In essence it is composed of "a series of provisions that deny colleges and universities federal funding -- including federal contracts and grants -- if the universities inhibit military recruiters or ROTC programs access to their campuses," according to The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association.\nIn response to the reaction being received in 2000, the U.S. Defense Department exclaimed it would eliminate funding for parent universities if their affiliated law and medical schools denied access to military recruiters. With the pressure of losing such an exorbitant sum of money resting upon their shoulders, law schools across the nation were forced to open their doors to recruiters for the first time in many decades.\nAccording to the NLGLA, "The suit seeks to restore the First Amendment right of law schools and law professors to use their experience and judgment to decide what messages to articulate to their student populations and how best to advance their educational missions free from government interference."\nHowever, law schools across the nation are not the only institutions upset by this "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The issue has also caught the attention of many of IU's students and law faculty. \nJohn Applegate, associate dean and Walter W. Foskett professor of law, said he wants the federal government to get a better handle on the situation before making such a decision. Since IU's law school policy is based upon the entire University's position, it is too early to have a definitive answer.\n"I have no sympathy with the military ban on gays, lesbians and bisexuals," he said. "It is just wrong, and I think it's horrible that Congress forced us to cooperate with them. Financial aid is crucial for our University's funding, so we have no choice but to comply."\nFreshman Nathan Igdaloff supported Applegate's statement. \n"The fact that IU currently allows such a group on campus could give our University a bad reputation concerning the gay/lesbian controversy present today," he said. "I think the Solomon Amendment should be revised to keep up with the attitudes of modern society."\nHowever, army recruiters themselves have a different view to this multi-faceted debate. Capt. Patrick McDaniel, an IU alumnus who works at Bloomington's Army Recruitment Headquarters, provided insight into the recruitment process. They work through the ROTC Department on campus and reach out to students through table set-ups.\nIn addition to personal bonuses and presentation of the latest warfare technology, "Any ounce of interest is worth time to come in and see what we have to offer," McDaniel said.\nSSG (Staff Sergeant) Stephen Downs expanded upon the recruitment process by stating some of the necessary standards a student must pass. In addition to height and weight measurements and a clean criminal record, they must also be within the top 50 percentile on the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery Test. He stated that competency was the most important factor for any soldier to possess, and he wants people who can be counted on when things are tough. \nRegarding homosexuality in the ranks, Downs said he thought as long as they did not have the propensity to perform homosexual acts, said they were engaging in it or involve themselves in gay marriage, they could keep it to themselves. He added that they could not be openly homosexual, but if they kept a low profile and worked very diligently, they could remain an active soldier and treated with respect. He mentioned that there are homosexuals in the army, and he knew one who he worked alongside at one point. \n"Everybody who wears this uniform is in essence my brother or sister," Downs said. "From my perspective, if I was to find out (one of my comrades) was leading an alternative lifestyle, I would continue to love them just the same as my own brother or sister."\nThe federal appeals court has put its decision concerning the matter on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court comes to an agreement.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Jacqueline Faine at jfaine@indiana.edu.