printable versionOfficials criticize 'don’t ask, don’t tell'
President John Hennessy and Law School Dean Larry Kramer issued statements last week critical of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and the Solomon Amendment, which requires higher education institutions to provide access to military recruiters or risk losing federal funds.
The statements were included in materials provided to admitted students who attended the Law School's Admit Weekend last week.
"Don't ask, don't tell" is the common phrase for current U.S. military policy that prohibits any homosexual or bisexual from disclosing his or her sexual orientation or from speaking about any homosexual relationships while serving in the armed forces. The 1996 Solomon Amendment provides for the secretary of defense to deny federal funding to institutions of higher learning if they prohibit or prevent ROTC or military recruitment on campus.
"We believe that the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy is a mistake and that it deprives the military of many qualified candidates," Hennessy's statement said. "Second, we believe the Solomon Amendment's requirements on access of military recruiters, although clearly supported by the Supreme Court decision, create an unhealthy precedent of using the government's funding of research and education to restrict other university freedoms."
Hennessy has said that although he disagrees with "don't ask, don't tell" and the intent of the Solomon Amendment, he could not set a university policy that would be in direct conflict with established federal law.
Kramer's statement said he was proud of what Law School students and faculty have done so far to "cast light on these issues."
"We will continue to work with students to protest the Solomon Amendment and military recruitment on campus, just as we will work with students and legal scholars to devise strategies to change current government policy and the mind set it reflects," the statement said. "These tasks will take resolve, but I am confident that the commitment of the Law School community will provide the energy needed to help bring about change."
Spencer Jones, co-president of Stanford OUTLAW, said he was pleased to see the university's leaders speaking out. OUTLAW is a student organization that serves the university's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender law students.
"The Supreme Court's decision last month affirming the Solomon Amendment makes it clear that, if universities cannot enforce non-discrimination inside their own walls, they can and must work to end discrimination outside of them," Jones said. "It is therefore gratifying to have such strong statements of support from President Hennessy and Dean Kramer, and I hope to see continued backing and affirmative leadership from them on these issues as we work to further advance equality for LGBT individuals both at Stanford and in the nation as a whole."
Hennessy's statement also encouraged students who disagree with the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy to make their opinions heard. "I am hopeful," the statement said, "that such advocacy will hasten the day when the military adopts a policy that treats all individuals willing to make the supreme sacrifice for their country with equal respect under the law."