From: President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Art Johnson
We want to thank everyone who has participated in recent discussions about applying to become a host site for Army ROTC. In the academy, and particularly at UMBC, we respect and value people’s right to express different points of view. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and civility with which members of this community have comported themselves during these deliberations – in town meetings, in meetings of our faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate student Senates, and finally in the University Steering Committee (with representatives from all five Senates). We also want to thank those who have directly conveyed to us their perspectives, both in conversations and in writing. Most important, throughout this process, it has been clear to us that everyone, regardless of point of view, has had the best interests of our students and UMBC at heart.
Having carefully considered the various points of view, we have decided that the campus should move forward to apply for Army ROTC host-site status. Most immediately, UMBC students will be able to complete Army ROTC program requirements here on campus, and more of these students will benefit from scholarship support.
During our recent campus conversations, a number of people made important points about process. This situation has underlined the importance of having ample time for discussion and deliberation when considering new initiatives and major decisions, and we sincerely regret not having had more time in this instance. If our application is accepted, we will continue to work closely with the University Steering Committee and representatives of the Faculty Senate on the various aspects of the implementation process.
With process in mind, the University Steering Committee has made a number of recommendations that the leadership of the campus will address over the coming months. Perhaps the most important has to do with the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which many of us mentioned as an area of concern during the town meetings. It is our intent to continue expressing strong concern about this policy because we, as a campus, oppose discrimination against any group. We are in conversations with members of the Executive Board of the UMBC Freedom Alliance and will continue talking with them and others on campus about ways to express the need for the military to be supportive of all people and not to discriminate against anyone based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity.
It also is our intent to continue encouraging conversations about the relationship between the military and public universities. Given UMBC’s reputation for excellence and diversity, we intend to add our voice to those of other academic leaders in conversations about the future of higher education, the military, and our country.
Finally, we are a very special community. The past few weeks have re-emphasized to all of us how much we care about this university and our students. During our discussions, we have shown our commitment in both substance and approach. We will continue to communicate with you throughout the summer. Thank you.
