How fortunate that Michelle Engelson was better able to access a Tufts education ("Re-addressing ROTC" April 22)! Certainly, no one is arguing that her commitment requires an enormous amount of time and dedication.
I, however, do take issue with Engelson's characterization of my viewpoint ("Don't ask, don't tell" April 8) as "partially misleading." I interpreted the anti-discrimination policy with an appropriate academic slant. Why should the University grant its own academic credit to courses which ease access to the University for some, and not for others? That is the critical question my viewpoint addresses, and Engelson misses an important opportunity to discuss a possible answer.
The ROTC program is a scholarship program. If not, the Paul Revere Battalion ought to update its website to adjust to ROTC guidelines. It's "scholarship" page literally features revolving dollar signs in addition to the information I used for my viewpoint. Not everyone enters into the ROTC program with need -- this is supposedly a scholarship for everyone who is physically qualified, granted they don't partake in "homosexual conduct," and so it goes. For some, the military service is what leads them to ROTC scholarships. A loan is a loan, a scholarship is a scholarship. I don't play the semantics game.
If I had been in Engelson's particular situation, I would've had to transfer. In the end, taking those courses opens the door to a Tufts education for physically qualified heterosexuals, but not so for me or other LGBT students on campus! This theoretical situation would ultimately cheapen the meaning of a Tufts credit. If this is a message that Tufts wishes to engrain into its academic policies, the University's anti-discrimination policy becomes meaningless.
I hold utmost respect for anyone participating in the ROTC program. However, I believe that Tufts should uphold its own institutional principles. Therefore, I will stand by my belief that cadets should receive no credit for their participation in the ROTC program.
Matthew Pohl
LA '05
