The Board of Trustees voted today to maintain the current existance of
the ROTC program at Dartmouth College.

The trustees originally a year or so ago  had said they would concider
a push  cancel the  program, but floundered upon hopes that the Clinton
administration would overturn the military's anti-homosexual policies. 
However, the trustees decided against the removal of the program,
citing a belief that the situation will improove, as well as the point
that the college wishes to continue to allow students the opportunity
to obtain ROTC scholarships and serve the military.

some quotes from the statement:

"the board of trustees decided this weekend that dartmouth shold
continue its participation in the army ROTC program. the board also
decided that Dartmouth shold make concerted efforts to change the
federal policy discrimnating against homosexuals in the military. among
the actions that the college may pursue are joining amicus briefs in
court cases challenging the present law, pressing adminstration
officials, members of congress and the military leadership to change
the policy, and working in concert with other colleges & universities
to revise the law."

"the trustees believe that American society is in a period of
transition that will ultimately lead it to embrace full and equal
participation of homosexuals in the military. president clinton's
attempt to change military policy while not wholly successful has
nonetheless accerlated this development. the trustees now commit
dartmouth college to help push this transition forward."

"the board emphasised that its vote to retain ROTC shld in no way be
read as altering the colleges policy of non-discrimination agst
individuals on the basis of sexual orientation. the trustees call on
all members of the dartmouth community to observe the fundamental
standards of tolerance and respect for others that this policy
embraces."

"the trustees are aware that many faculty, students and alumni havew
firm convictions on the subject and that many members of the community
are deeply offended by the presence at dartmouth of a government
program with a policy of discrimination. the boartd hopes that these
persons will join in its efforts to alter that policy."