Sonoma State University Academic Senate
Resolution regarding Military Recruiters On Campus
WHEREAS Sonoma State University has a long-standing policy of nondiscrimination,
which extends to the category sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS the University requires all employers coming onto campus for recruiting
to certify that they subscribe to this non-discrimination policy; and
WHEREAS the U S military is unable honestly to so certify due to its open and
blatant policy of discrimination against gay and lesbian persons; and
WHEREAS this campus has therefore been closed to the military; and
WHEREAS the U S Congress has passed a law known as the “Solomon Amendment”
which provides that any campus which is closed to the military is ineligible
to receive federal funds, including student aid; and
WHEREAS this University, as well as hundreds of others across the nation, has
been forced to admit military recruiters in violation of its own principles
in order to avoid severe injury to innocent third parties, namely, its students;
and
WHEREAS the U S military has scheduled appearances on this campus on three occasions
in the near future for the purpose of recruiting;
therefore be it
RESOLVED that this Senate reaffirms its policy of non-discrimination; and furthermore
be it
RESOLVED that this Senate deplores the methods by which the U S military has
forced its way onto this campus, and calls upon the Congress to rescind the
Solomon Amendment forthwith; and furthermore be it
RESOLVED that this Senate hereby notifies U S military recruiters that, notwithstanding
the legal right which they have by these unethical means obtained to secure
access to Sonoma State students, they should have no illusion that they are
welcome on this campus as long as they continue to practice blatant discrimination
against members of the community.
Approved March 12, 1998