A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling not only allows military recruiters the same access to college campus as other employers but reinforces an Ohio University policy already in existence.
The unanimous decision rejected a free speech challenge to the 1996 Solomon Amendment, which cuts federal financing to universities that ban military recruiters from campus. A coalition of law schools said the law violates First Amendment rights for universities that hold nondiscrimination policies on sexual orientation and disagree with the military's Don't Ask
Don't Tell policy, according to a March 7 New York Times article.
To me I guess I wasn't overly surprised that that's the way (the decision) went said Mickey Hart, assistant director of campus life for OU's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Programs Center. I have continually found the 'Don't Ask
Don't Tell' military policy frustrating
and I find it frustrating that our leaders talk about spreading freedom and often the vehicle of that freedom is the U.S. military
yet discrimination is prevalent in the military itself.
According to the Solomon Amendment, if the secretary of defense determines an institution of higher education prevents Reserve Officers' Training Corps access or military recruiting on campus that it will be denied federal funds.
Some colleges and universities look at ROTC as being forced down their throats; OU is absolutely enthralled that we are here
said Major William Hurley, enrollment/program adviser. We have a tremendous relationship with the university.
Like most universities, OU complies with the Solomon Amendment.
(We don't) judge the content of what people are trying to express
said Nicolette Dioguardi, associate director of legal affairs for OU. We try to have a policy that says whatever that message is
you can give it
but you have to go through a process to give it.
OU's general policy and procedures state, External groups may be approved for the use of university space if and when facilities are available. This includes
but is not limited to
