ROTC Gets the Boot
Final Decision Wilson's
 
by XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX
 
        The California State University, Chico State Faculty Senate voted 24-
7 to phase out the campus ROTC program because of Defense 
Department discrimination against gays and lesbians. If the advisory 
action is implemented by CSUC Pres. Robin Wilson, the university will 
be among the first public colleges to ban ROTC.
 
        In his commentary published in the _Sacramento Bee_ Wilson says 
he cannot "maintain the silence prudence suggests" and has officially 
stated his disapproval of ROTC's ban on gay and lesbian cadets.
 
        In a reversal of his earlier opposition to eliminating ROTC, he cited a 
Pentagon study that states "the military cannot indefinitely isolate 
itself from the changes occurring in the wider society.
 
        "As to the supposed security risks gay soldiers might present, it is 
absurd to think openness about sexual orientation could do anything 
but eliminate such perils" he wrote.
 
        But Wilson was noncommittal after the vote saying, "I'm not going to 
talk about this right now." Wilson is know for his media dodging style.
 
        The _Chico Enterprise Record_ reports that ROTC Maj. Doug Campbell 
met with Wilson in the hallway after the vote. "He told me "the ROTC 
vote's through, but I'm in no hurry to implement this'" Campbell said.
 
        The Faculty Senate resolution calls for an end of the program
 starting Jan. 1, 1992.
 
 
[From _CenterStone_ the news magazine of the Stonewall Alliance of 
Chico, Winter 1991]