University of Virginia Library

I am a tolerant man, and I have
been able to tolerate many things
from the military establishment at
this University. I have been able to
politely ignore the fact that students
are receiving credit for such
courses as "The Art of War." I have
accepted being on the same faculty
with "professors" appointed by the
Pentagon, not by the faculty. I have
managed to turn my head when I
see young men walking around
wearing the uniforms of war and
carrying the implements of destruction.
But, gentlemen, how can I
tolerate the military's disruption of
my class? My Tuesday afternoon
class and I are each week interrupted
by the tramping of young
feet and the harsh notes of some
tune composed in the midst of
some insignificant war during some
forgotten battle by some dying
soldier. Should the ROTC troops be
allowed to interrupt the business of
this academic community?

The impetus for severing the
connections of our University with
the military establishment must
come from the students. We have
all been reading of the expulsion of
ROTC courses and instructors from
many universities. From personal
experience, I can tell you that the
action that is occurring in universities
arises out of the efforts of
students.

The time has come when tolerant
men must act.