University of Virginia Library

The present R.O.T.C. units at the University of Virginia, starting with the
Navy in 1940, have been organized at the request of the University. The enrollment
in these units is covered by public law. Enrollment is entirely voluntary. (This
is not the case at the so-called land grant colleges and universities). The first
two years (first year only for the Naval ROTC Regulars) a member may withdraw at
his own request. Approval of the resignation is accomplished at the Unit Command
level. Starting with the third year, ROTC members receive subsistence
compensation, and approval of the resignation can only be made at Departmental
(or delegated) level.

Each R.O.T.C. unit is an integral part of the University, and student
membership cuts across the lines of the college, the schools, and all of the
departments (with the exception of the School of Medicine and the Department of
Nursing).

Each of the three R.O.T.C. units is welded together through wearing the
uniform of one of the armed services. Within each unit is a spirit of comradery
which it is believed should be fostered to the fullest in order to enhance the
morale of the service of which the unit is a part. Such morale building effect
has in the past been improved through extra-curricular gatherings and activities
as have been properly connected with and sponsored by the unit(s). Social
gatherings, not the least of which is the annual Military Ball, parade participation
and competition and the like, are examples of these extra curricular activities.
Such activities do require a slight monetary outlay for which there is no
provision within available public funds. It has long been a principle of service
life that the financing of such activities should be equally borne by all, and
hence, that all should be fully eligible to participate in such activities.
Whether or not a member does participate in a particular activity is a matter for
him to decide, but being a member of the unit would and should constitute his
eligibility. In short, his ticket for participation is his uniform and his
pride in wearing it.

Each of the R.O.T.C. units has in the past collected a fee to defray such
expenses. In the Spring of 1956 the Student Council considered this fee to be a
matter, the collection of which should be properly considered by the Council.
Accordingly, they made a very thorough, and it is believed, completely unbiased
review of the matter. As a result of the review the President of the Student
Council addressed a letter to each of the R.O.T.C. unit commanders. This letter
contained the following.

"First, if the fee is to be compulsory for all those who enroll in a
particular ROTC, the Council believes that it should first be officially approved
by the University. This is to be distinguished from the present informal
arrangement, whereby the University has agreed to bank these fees. It is felt
that such approval is necessary to justify its collection at registration. It
would also alleviate the confusion now existing as to the exact status of the
fee."

The units concur with the President of the Student Council, particularly as
to the clarification of the status of the fund and the manner of collecting it.

The R.O.T.C. unit student activity fee should be kept small, so as to be as
little burden on the individual as possible. It is strongly recommended that it
not be permitted to exceed $5.00 per student per annum and that $3.00 (about 1
cent per day) only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances. It is believed
that inasmuch as membership in the R.O.T.C. unit is voluntary each member should
be required to participate in the fee or to withdraw from the unit, or in the
case of third and fourth year members, to submit a request for withdrawal.

It is recommended:

• (1) The Board of Visitors approve the collection of this fee.

• (2) The fund be held in the custody of the Bursar.

• (3) The fund be administered by the unit student organization, subject to
  the approval of the unit commanding officer.

• (4) Withdrawals from the fund only be made with the combined approval of
  the senior student member of the unit organization and the commanding
  officer of the unit.