The Paper Trail

Law Schools Protest 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

June 30, 2008 RSS Feed Print
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The New York Times profiled two law schools that are at the forefront of the fight against the military's controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The Vermont Law School and William Mitchell College of Law are the only two law schools in the country that bar military recruiters, which, under a 1996 law, allows the government to withhold federal research grants from the schools.

"They are the only institutions that have taken as dramatic and as principled a stance as they have, so it's certainly put in the category of profiles in courage," a Syracuse University law professor said. "They have done things that other schools have not done."

In defense of every other school out there, these two schools are both small and unaffiliated with larger universities—lifting the burden of other programs that might have been affected. But Vermont has not come out unscathed, losing up to $500,000 a year in federal research grants as punishment via the Solomon Amendment; William Mitchell hasn't been affected because it does not receive money from the four spending bills cited in the law.

Tags:
activism,
LGBT rights,
law school,
national security terrorism and the military,
military

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As someone who normally feels that discussing politicals issues is not a good move to do, especially publicly or on fb, I feel compelled to relate my personal story about an issue. It pertains to acceptance. I am very proud of a young lady from WV who has grown up to have a strong belief in God, family, and conservatism. A bit of a redneck, but very popular with all races and ranks of the society in which she has been exposed. She has very strong opinions about what she believes, and will not back down, no matter who she is up against most of the time. God took her on her path to her future by sending her 14 hrs. away from "Good Ole WV" to a New England State that is known to be the most "liberal" of all in the U.S. She has been challenged many times, just because of her background and where she is from, and her conservative beliefs. She hasn't swayed from her core values, but in turn, has opened her mind and heart to a whole new world, and has seen that God has his hand in everything and everyone, that the choices people make are their choices, and we should all be less critical, more compassionate and accepting of other peoples opinions and beliefs. She will be moving back to WV in May after graduating law school. Her job is set and her excitement is above the clouds, and I couldn't be a more proud Mama. I love you Kristin.

Robin Cook of WV 11:45AM January 27, 2011

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