The Student Affairs Committee of the University Senate sent out an email today announcing the formation of a Task Force on Military Engagement in light of Congress’s decision to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell”.

During the spring semester, the Task Force on Military Engagement will:

• Hold Senate hearings open to the University community.
• Conduct a survey on campus that will gauge ROTC interest.
• Serve as a resource by providing the campus with information about the issues involved.

The notice also restates its Fall semester policies towards military engagement and affirms that as of now, the committee will continue taking no position on the ROTC until a poll of the student body has been taken. Full email after the jump.

NEW YORK, December 20, 2010 — The Student Affairs Committee of the Columbia University Senate announced today the formation of a Task Force on Military Engagement in light of the U.S. Congress’s recent repeal of 10 U.S.C. § 654 (commonly termed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”).

The Student Affairs Committee is the mandated body to lead the discussion on the Reserve Officers Training Corps. The Student Affairs Committee will govern the task force and continue the Senate’s work in handling issues affecting Columbia University students and the military.

One of the major military issues affecting students is whether or not the University should formally participate in a Reserve Officers Training Corps program.

During the spring semester, the Task Force on Military Engagement will:

• Hold University Senate hearings open to the University community.
• Conduct a survey with respect to Reserve Officers Training Corps.
• Serve as a resource by providing fact-based information about the issues involved.

Dates for the public events will be announced by the beginning of the spring term. Tao Tan, CC ’07, MBA ’11, chair of the Student Affairs Committee announced the appointment of Ron Mazor, CC ’09, Law ’12, as chair of the Task Force. Other members of the Task Force are drawn from across the Student Affairs Committee and include both undergraduate and graduate students.

“The Senate’s top priority is that the student voice is heard. Ron is deeply familiar with the culture and academic environment at Columbia, particularly its undergraduate programs. We are fully confident he will use this, along with his knowledge of law and procedure, in a way that uphold fairness of process, and that best represents the student body,” Tan said.

Since the fall semester, the Student Affairs Committee’s governing principles with respect to examining military engagement are:

• Our top priority is that the student voice is heard. Thus, this will be a student-driven, not a faculty-dominated process.
• We will take no action until and unless “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed legislatively or judicially.
• We will take no position on Reserve Officers Training Corps at present, until and unless student body opinion is gauged.

For further information about the Task Force on Military Engagement, or to provide feedback, please contact the Task Force at rotc-taskforce@columbia.edu.