Latest from the ROTC debate which is getting more and more attention from the national media: check out two recently published articles by important members of the Columbia community.

Yesterday Katherine Franke, Professor and Director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at the Law school, wrote an opinion piece for the Huffington Post. In it, she spoke out against increased military engagement:

Now, as a generation ago, I would object to the conferral of Columbia University credit for ROTC courses taught by instructors who have not received an academic appointment. Now, as a generation ago, I would object to the furnishing of space and related facilities to the military for the administration of the ROTC program. Now, as a generation ago, I would object to the integration of military training and values into the fabric of civilian teaching, learning and research at Columbia.

And today, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Jacques Barzun, CC ’27, former provost, professor of history and literary luminary, gave a Core-tastic defense of ROTC:

Pericles concluded his remarks in ancient Athens by reminding his people that in detailing the merits of their city-state (in contrast to the characteristics of neighboring Sparta) “we are contending for a higher prize than those who enjoy none of these privileges.” A citizenry’s willingness to serve in its defense makes a “government that does not copy our neighbors, but is an example to them.” Most will choose not to answer the call—that is acceptable, the natural result of relying on an all-volunteer military. What is not acceptable is denying the army the opportunity to even make that call.

Hint: You can get past the WSJ pay-wall by searching “Jacques Barzun” in Google News and clicking the link there.