Yale Law School announced Feb. 1 that it will prevent military recruiters on campus starting this spring.
The decision follows a Jan. 31 Connecticut District Court ruling that declared the Solomon Amendment unconstitutional as it applies to Yale Law. The amendment, enacted in 1996, blocks federal funding to schools that ban military recruiters from campus.
A similar ruling by a U.S. Court of Appeals on Nov. 29 made the amendment unconstitutional in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Though Princeton's administration opposes the Solomon Amendment, it has not taken legal action against it.
The ruling against the Solomon Amendment did not affect the University because Princeton allows military recruiting and ROTC on campus.
Many universities have opposed the amendment due to the Department of Defense's "don't ask, don't tell" policy towards homosexuals. Some schools have considered this policy contradictory to their nondiscrimination policies toward gay students.
In a December Daily Princetonian article, Provost Christopher Eisgruber '83 defended the University's decision to allow military recruitment on campus.
"Princeton is committed to principles of equal opportunity, including with regard to sexual orientation," Eisgruber said, "but we do not believe that our opposition to the military's policies should interfere with the ability of interested students to pursue military careers."
Some students who support gay rights consider the University's position on military recruiter access misguided.
"As far as I am concerned as [a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered] ally, this is entirely unacceptable. In fact, it's disgraceful," Emily Aull '08 said. "The 'don't ask, don't tell' clause is like a brush under a rug. It says you can be what you want to be as long as we don't have to see it ... This is certainly not what I would call ideal."
Currently, Princeton and Cornell are the only Ivy League universities that have ROTC programs.
Many programs were discontinued in response to student and faculty opposition and antiwar strikes during the Vietnam War.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Brown, director of the army officer education program at the University, said ROTC has survived at Princeton because of the University's commitment to national service.
"I know a lot of people attribute this to 9/11 ... but a lot of students want to serve their country; it's the motto of Princeton," said Brown, referring to Woodrow Wilson's coining of the unofficial motto for the school: "Princeton in the Nation's service, and in the service of all nations."
"It's possible that the Wilsonian doctrine has contributed to [Princeton's strong ROTC]," Brown said.
While other Ivies lack ROTC programs, Princeton's program, which began in 1919, has been expanding since 1998 with roughly 30 people in the Army section this year.
There are seven seniors, nine juniors, 13 sophomores, and three freshmen in the program this year, according to Brown.
Jordan Brock '06, a member of Army ROTC, said the current situation in the world motivates students to join and increases the necessity of ROTC programs.
"We can attribute the rise in popularity to 9/11 and the War on Iraq...Princeton has a very strong program," he said.
Other factors motivate students to join ROTC.
"I'm developing real leadership skills that can be applied after getting out of the army. There's the financial aspect: my tuition is paid in full. But still there's my wanting to serve my country, a sense of duty, and a family tradition," Brock said.
Read More
Joseph ’25 next Young Alumni Trustee in 21 percent turnout election
Vitus LarrieuGil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
Gil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
‘A brilliant young contemporary writer and a beautiful human being’: Remembering Lauren Blackburn ’26
Victoria Davies and Caitlyn TabladaBlackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
Blackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.