U. Council to discuss ROTC plans at mtg.

The recently released report dealing with the Reserve Officers' Training Corps will be discussed at the University Council's first meeting of the academic year today. The Committee to Review the Status of ROTC at Penn released its final report this week dealing with President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and the University's non-discrimination policy. The report discussed many possible solutions, and advocated an "arm's length" arrangement that would maintain the presence of ROTC on campus, but would increase the distance between the organization and the University. The military units would be established as an outside program, instead of an "educational program or activity" or "other University administered program." Council's meeting will be the first of many meetings and discussions held to debate and consider the report. University President Judith Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow will ultimately make the final decision in regards to ROTC's future with the University. Council is also planning to discuss safety and security at the University. The issues have received more attention recently because of the early September murder of fifth year Mathematics graduate student Al-Moez Alimohamed, along with several other crimes during the past month. Council, which includes University faculty, administrators, students and staff, will also discuss revisions to its by-laws, which will then be voted on by mail. Debate is expected about a permanent seat on the body for a representative of the United Minorities Council. In May, Council rejected an amendment to the group's by-laws by Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Dan Debicella to give the UMC chairperson one of the UA's permanent seats on Council. In the past, the UA has voted to give one of its seats to the UMC chair. Council will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. today in McClelland Hall in the Quadrangle.