(This is a recent letter to the editor of Marquette University Tribune that went unpublished.)

Dear Editor,

Over three years ago, in the January 26, 2006 issue of the Marquette Tribune I wrote a viewpoint titled: “ROTC has no place at MU.” My viewpoint and my character were widely attacked by readers of the Marquette Tribune. Despite these attacks I pursued the truth of this moral and ethical issue.

After some research and discussion with friends, faculty and students, including MU ROTC students, I have changed my viewpoint. Because of Federal laws governing military scholarships and Federal Funding to universities I can now understand why colleges and universities are partner ROTC schools. Students from ROTC Partner schools, like Harvard or Concordia, are eligible for ROTC military scholarships and these schools, like Columbia or Mount Mary, qualify for Federal Funding. ROTC students from these universities go to military bases or Host schools for military training. This ways schools can avoid teaching war and values contrary to the ethics and morals the school was founded on.

Marquette University is a military host school for Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, only one of two in the State of Wisconsin. Host schools have no control over the curriculum of the Departments of Military Science they host. Host military schools, like Marquette give creditability to the teaching of war and military values that often contradict the values and principles that Marquette professes. For more information on the difference on partner ROTC schools and host ROTC schools check www.nonviolentcow.org .

Yes, ROTC has a place at Marquette, but No, teaching war and values contrary to the Catholic faith, have no place at MU.

Bob Graf (MU student 61′65′ & 67′68′)