Army Will Hear Dupuy On Harvard ROTC Plan

The future of the University's plan to revise the ROTC program at Harvard may be decided in two weeks when three members of the Faculty meet with a high Army official in Washington.

Lt. Colonel Trevor N. Dupuy, professor of Military Science and Tactics, disclosed yesterday that he, Dean Bundy, and Donald C. McKay '28, professor of History have been summoned for a conference in Washington with Assistant Secretary of the Army Hugh Milton Oct. 12. Both Dupuy and McKay were members of the seven-man committee which drew up the sweeping new program last spring.

Since the Faculty approved the plan last spring, the Army has made no statement concerning further action. After the Washington meeting, it is believed the Army may finally decide on the plan.

If the Army approves the program, it will probably be on an experimental basis with a view toward expanding the program nation-wide.

The plan, as presented to the Army, would expand summer camp training to 12 weeks, and would shorten ROTC class work to three years. In addition, civilian instruction in ROTC classes would be greatly extended. At present, all ROTC students spend six weeks in summer camp, and four years in classes.

Under the proposal, a student would begin his ROTC work in his sophomore year and would spend his entire 12-week summer training period between his sophomore and junior years.

Dupuy said he has no idea how the Army will finally decide, but said there are at least three reasons why the Army has reserved judgment up to now.

Twelve Week Camp

Under the new plan, Dupuy said, the Army's summer training facilities would be severely taxed. At present, National Guard and Reserve units both share the same camps with ROTC groups. By extending the ROTC's six weeks to 12, the Army would be forced to erect new camps at considerable expense.

Due to the difference in academic standards throughout the nation, Dupuy said, the Army might be afraid to risk the new plan because it calls for more civilian courses, putting certain schools at a disadvantage.

Since the Army tries to keep its ROTC program uniform, Dupuy said, it might be difficult to find suitable textbooks under the new plan. At present the Army allows a 25 percent leeway in selecting texts.