DADT

A recent staff editorial took issue with Columbia’s policy on ROTC and the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. The editorial has generated various responses, positive and negative, the voicing of which I appreciate and encourage. I believe our condemnation of DADT was clear, but I want to use this chance to apologize to those whom the editorial may have offended

The way in which Spectator sought to problematize the perceived lack of the military’s presence on this campus, through the article by Josh Hirschland erroneously categorized as “News” and the subsequent editorial, seems to function inconsistently with Spec’s intended role as an objective instrument of campus media, and instead implies a conservative, moralizing mission.

By welcoming ROTC back to campus, Columbia has the opportunity to gain a more diverse student body and an improved connection to national issues. At the same time, the University can take a stronger stance against DADT by actively engaging with the military.