Council Asks ROTC Enlargement, Awaits Reply on Organization Rules

The Student Council voted unanimously last night to ask the College to request that the Defense Department greatly expand Reserve Officers Training Corps--perhaps three times larger than now.

Council members Richard E. Johnson '53 and David L. Stark '53 introduced the proposals because, they said, Harvard's ROTC program compares unfavorably with those of other colleges as well as with past programs here. The recommendations are:

1. Immediately expand the enrollment in all basic courses.

2. Immediately request that advanced course quotas be increased in proportion to increases granted other colleges throughout the United States.

3. Go back to the former policy of allowing ROTC courses to be taken concurrently. Also, admit any sophomore or junior without previous military experience to ROTC basic courses whether they can complete the advance program or not.

4. Offer all basic military courses as half courses. Allow students to enter basic ROTC courses at the beginning of any semester.

Johnson and Stark arrived at the proposals after comparing the University ROTC with two midwestern colleges. If the proposals are accepted, Stark estimates ROTC enrollment will be tripled.