I would like to supplement the
otherwise excellent coverage of the
ROTC committee meeting appearing
in The Cavalier Daily March 19.
As people arrived at the meeting
they were greeted with a sign over
the lectern reading "Off the Pig,
Off the War Machine, Off ROTC,"
and a large inscription chalked on
the board "Oh this Pig Committee."
As the meeting progressed,
speakers were frequently interrupted
by derisive applause,
laughter, and loud, sarcastic remarks.
Two of the most outspoken
present had no connection with the
university, but had come as students'
guests. But for the unflappability
and good humor of the
chairman a much worse situation
might easily have developed.
If this sort of behavior is
tolerated as the norm, it is small
wonder that so few students or
faculty (one or two per cent in this
case) bother to attend such meetings.
No one should blame
"apathy" or "Establishment plots"
as students and faculty increasingly
avoid serving on such committees
or attending meetings. No one likes
to give up an evening with his
friends or his work just to be
insulted.
Christopher Collins
Assistant Professor of
Russian
