A Middle Ground

In an attempt to alleviate the objections of both sides, Rudenstine has proposed the creation of a special fund. Several alumni have already come forward and offered enough money to fund Harvard's continued involvement with ROTC for the next three or four years, Rudenstine wrote in the proposal.

These funds would be held in a special account--separate from the FAS' general unrestricted funds, but administered by the University, according to Acting President and Provost Albert Carnesale.

Rudenstine's proposal has met with positive reactions from many student groups. Representatives from the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance and the Civil Liberties Union of Harvard expressed satisfaction with the proposal after its release last December.

But other groups on campus, particularly the faculty, have lambasted the Rudenstine compromise.

At a faculty meeting last month, a majority of those speaking criticized the proposal as being inconsistent with Harvard's nondiscrimination policy.

And Carney, now a student at the Business School, agrees with them.

"My emotional response to this proposal is disappointment," Carney says. "Four years ago, when this whole thing happened, I was one of the strongest advocates of a tempered approach--not serving ties. I got a lot out of the program."

But the Rudenstine proposal isn't acceptable, says Carney.

this would be a good blow quote:

"It seems as though he's trying to get around the University's commitment to only support activities that don't discriminate," Carney says.

Carney's objections to the ROTC program mirror those of the faculty and other groups which oppose the Rudenstine compromise. And interviews with alumni who played important roles in Harvard's stormy history with the program reveal a split that is very much a microcosm of the current debate.

A number of alumni support the compromise. While others oppose it.

Although Rudenstine says alumni will come up with an unsolicited $500,000 for the ROTC compromise, quite a few alumni say they don't know about that plan. Many say they just don't care.

Alumni on ROTC