Columbia University Vote Clears Way For ROTC To Return To Campus
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- It has taken more than 40 years, but it looks like ROTC could be making a comeback at Columbia University.
The Columbia University Senate voted 51-17 with one abstention Friday to open negotiations with the military to allow Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) back on campus.
Student reaction to the vote -- held after a passionate debate -- was mixed.
"In general, I do oppose bringing the ROTC back to campus because they do kill people and I don't believe in that," one student told 1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan.
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1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan gets student reaction from the Columbia University campus
"It's a victory. I think it was a disgrace that it took so long," another student said.
ROTC has not been on the Columbia University campus since the late 1960s.
Some students argued the process used to vote on and pass the resolution was "not transparent and not democratic."
Still others said the move to open discussion on the bringing the ROTC back was "overdue."
The university said the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" removed the last stumbling block to voting on the resolution.
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