The ASUO Senate passed a resolution expressing support for the creation of military science as an academic minor at Wednesday’s Senate meeting, which was met by public commentary showing both support and opposition.
Senate held a discussion after a short break, in which members of the public were invited to participate.
Sophomore Cimmeron Gillespie was one of the speakers at the meeting who expressed opposition to the message that the resolution sends, as well as the historical impact it has on the University.
“By endorsing this program, by proxy we’re endorsing the military,” he said. “The ROTC provides the teachers, clothing and equipment. Clearly when a teacher is being paid by a military program, (the class is) being influenced by the military.”
Gillespie also opposed the University’s financial involvement in training military personnel, the implied support for the military that this resolution represents and the timing of the resolution — he had only seen it two days before the meeting.
Sen. Tyler Griffin was the main senator showing opposition to the resolution. He said he finds the military’s don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy immoral.
“The issue is that there are gays and lesbians who cannot talk about their sexual orientation. Personally I feel I could not join military. I should be able to freely express my sexual orientation,” he said at the meeting. “In (approving the resolution), we support this institution that has these inequalities.”
Griffin said the nature of the military’s principles is contradictory, advocating candor while suppressing individuals from expressing themselves.
“I was personally hurt by this,” Griffin said. “It’s about this education in general, education of discrimination. And I cannot have that.”
In the end, support overrode opposition, and the resolution passed in a vote of 11-3-2.
Senators who voted in favor said supporting the resolution did not necessarily mean supporting the military.
Two student cadets spoke in support of the resolution at the meeting. They expressed that half of their credits each term go to military science, and they felt that they should get academic credit in return.
Senate Vice President Nick Schultz, who sponsored the resolution, said the resolution fundamentally attempts to get students academic recognition for classes they are taking.
“I absolutely stand by my support for this resolution, and the reason is that it wasn’t intended to be a resolution to support the institution of the military,” Schultz said. “Had it been intended, it would have been very simply put that way.”
Sen. Alex McCafferty, who wrote the resolution, said he appreciated hearing the views expressed at the meeting, but ultimately it was not intended to support the military.
“It was specifically written to affect students at this University — to help the 146 students attain their academic goals and to let them pursue this course of study and receive recognition for it,” McCafferty said.
McCafferty said the risk of teachers influencing the views of their students is present in any classroom setting.
“Whether or not (professors) might establish their views is a danger in every class of any discipline within the University,” he said. “Funded by the military or not, their goal is to teach students.”
After the resolution’s passing, Gillespie said he plans to counter the resolution.
“There was virtually one side speaking,” he said. “I want to try to get some more people.”
Griffin also plans to take action separate from Gillespie, but did not wish to give any details.

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