So what is going to be the justification now?At the height of the Vietnam War and the corresponding student protests calling for an end to both it and the draft, some of the nation's most prestigious universities ordered Reserve Officers' Training Corps units off campus.

At the height of the Vietnam War and the corresponding student protests calling for an end to both it and the draft, some of the nation's most prestigious universities ordered Reserve Officers' Training Corps units off campus. In time ROTC returned to many campuses, but not all, including Yale University here in Connecticut. Yale and other colleges have made the logical argument that the prohibition against homosexuals serving openly in the military conflicted with anti-discriminatory policies on campus.

In time ROTC returned to many campuses, but not all, including Yale University here in Connecticut. Yale and other colleges have made the logical argument that the prohibition against homosexuals serving openly in the military conflicted with anti-discriminatory policies on campus.Now, with the White House and Pentagon urging Congress to end the ban, and along with it the "don't ask, don't tell" approach, universities need to reconsider their positions. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut's self-proclaimed "independent Democrat," made that point in introducing legislation that would allow openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals to serve in the armed forces.

Now, with the White House and Pentagon urging Congress to end the ban, and along with it the "don't ask, don't tell" approach, universities need to reconsider their positions. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut's self-proclaimed "independent Democrat," made that point in introducing legislation that would allow openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals to serve in the armed forces.Sen. Lieberman said he wants to see the ROTC again recruiting at all the nation's top universities. The legislation contains a not-so-gentle push to achieve just that - a provision requiring a report to Congress on the enforcement of the law that prohibits federal funds to colleges that block ROTC units. Yale and other schools circumvent the ban by allowing their students to sign up at ROTC programs at other institutions - Yale students at the University of Connecticut, Harvard students at MIT, for example.

Sen. Lieberman said he wants to see the ROTC again recruiting at all the nation's top universities. The legislation contains a not-so-gentle push to achieve just that - a provision requiring a report to Congress on the enforcement of the law that prohibits federal funds to colleges that block ROTC units. Yale and other schools circumvent the ban by allowing their students to sign up at ROTC programs at other institutions - Yale students at the University of Connecticut, Harvard students at MIT, for example.The officer commissioning program plays a major role in preparing the nation's military leaders. ROTC graduates constitute 56 percent of U.S. Army officers, 41 percent of Air Force officers, 20 percent of Navy officers and 11 percent of U.S. Marine Corps officers, according to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense. The U.S. Coast Guard does not participate.

The officer commissioning program plays a major role in preparing the nation's military leaders. ROTC graduates constitute 56 percent of U.S. Army officers, 41 percent of Air Force officers, 20 percent of Navy officers and 11 percent of U.S. Marine Corps officers, according to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense. The U.S. Coast Guard does not participate.If Congress lifts the ban tied to sexual orientation, as it should, there will be no excuse for universities to prohibit ROTC programs on their campuses. In fact, a continued ban would itself be a form of discrimination against students who want to pursue military service through ROTC. Their own colleges should not force such students to commute to other institutions.

If Congress lifts the ban tied to sexual orientation, as it should, there will be no excuse for universities to prohibit ROTC programs on their campuses. In fact, a continued ban would itself be a form of discrimination against students who want to pursue military service through ROTC. Their own colleges should not force such students to commute to other institutions.Many in the military are demonstrating a willingness to change. The nation's elite universities should do likewise.

Many in the military are demonstrating a willingness to change. The nation's elite universities should do likewise.