University of Virginia Library

GFAG Professor In TV Debate,
Opposes Buckley On ROTC Credit

By Don Kessler
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Danter Gemino, a professor of
government and foreign affairs at the
University, will oppose the present status
of ROTC on college campuses in a
televised debate later this month with
William F. Buckley, the noted conservative
columnist and politician.

Mr. Gemino opposed the status of
ROTC units at the University during the
faculty meetings last December. In those
meetings, Mr. Gemino co-sponsored a motion
to remove academic credit from ROTC
beginning in September 1970.

Although the motion was defeated by the
faculty, a motion to remove degree credit from
ROTC beginning in September 1971 was
approved.

In his remarks, Mr. Gemino stated that it
was regretful that "the Pentagon did not truly
explore feasible alternatives to ROTC such as
post-graduate academics and greater use of
Officer Candidate Schools and summer training
programs."

Mr. Gemino continued by stating that if
ROTC is to remain on college campuses, certain
changes in the ROTC programs would essential.

Among these reforms, he listed the need to
remove academic credit for ROTC credits. He
stated that this removal was necessary because
"the source, objective, and personnel" of the
courses "differ from all other university
courses."

Mr. Gemino also stated that he felt that
ROTC instructors should not be granted faculty
status and that ROTC units should not have
departmental status.

Also recommended were the removal of the
clause in ROTC contracts that "make students
liable to immediate draft if they disenroll after
a certain point or under certain conditions" and
the removal of "current restriction of ROTC
students' political activities, dress, and behavior."

Finally, Mr. Gemino stated tat the "whole
question of drill and visible military presence
and training for combat on university campuses"
should be reconsidered and that the
Universities should be fully reimbursed "for all
administrative costs and rent for the facilities
used by ROTC units."

Mr. Gemino concluded that these reforms
were necessary if the current ROTC program is
to be brought more into line with the purpose
of a university dedicated to the "illimitable
freedom of the human mind."

Although the program may not reach
Charlottesville, it will appear on "Firing Line,"
ETA television from Washington Thursday,
April 23, from 9-10 p.m.