Sean,

As a graduate of Columbia College (2003), member of the Young Alumni Steering Fund Committee, a John Jay level supporter of the College, and member of the Board of Governors of the Columbia University Club of New York, I just wanted to tell you how opposed I am to the idea of returning ROTC to Columbia. If ROTC were to return to campus, I would find it difficult to continue to support Columbia, either financially or with my time and involvement, and would likely begin to discourage other alums from supporting the College as well.

I firmly believe that Columbia can be a stronger force for change in the military by refusing to participate in the program. While I have heard the argument that Columbia can be a more potent force for change by graduating officers of the military, I have too many friends who already serve in our nation's military to believe that this could be the case.  Several of my high school friends attended West Point, the Air Force Academy and Annapolis. In addition, one of my closest friends from Andover, graduated from ROTC at BC and is currently serving in Iraq.  All of these individuals have told me that Columbia's participation in ROTC will not help to end discrimination in the military.

In addition, I do not believe that Columbia should grant academic credit for ROTC classes, something that I understand to be a requirement of the program. To do so would seriously undermine the academic integrity of the school.

I will be forwarding my objections to members of the Senate early next week.

Cordially,

M Foss, CC'03