By Jordan Morris
Assistant News Editor
For several decades, Pepperdine has been one of more than 50 universities in an ROTC cross-town contract with Loyola Marymount University, which welcomes qualified students from each of these universities to participate in two-, three- or four-year programs on its campus.
Pepperdine has offered academic credit and government-funded scholarships for ROTC cadets, who must give back at least four years of active duty and four years of reserve duty to the U.S. military following their undergraduate studies.
But Pepperdine’s participation in the program became uncertain last week.
Col. Richard A. “Mac” McIntosh, Detachment 040 commander for the Air Force ROTC at LMU, notified Pepperdine ROTC cadets about a letter he received March 17 from Seaver Dean of Admissions Dr. Paul Long placing doubt on the university’s continued participation in the program.
“We’re still looking at all the implications,” McIntosh said in an interview with The Graphic. “We obviously don’t want the relationship to terminate.”
He added that he was trying to set up a meeting with Long to resolve the issues that face the two parties.
The five ROTC representatives from Pepperdine, including freshman Monica Pharaoh, were “shocked and confused” upon hearing McIntosh’s report.
“Still I’m not sure what happened or anything,” she said.
Sophomore Jami Lambert, a member of the ROTC for the past two years, summed up her reaction to this news with bewilderment.
“I’m confused,” she said. “We called several people to find out what’s going on, but no one would tell us … it’s completely out of the blue.”
Although Long was not available for comment, Dean of Seaver College Dr. David Baird sought to eliminate the confusion surrounding ROTC members by stressing the uncertainty of the situation.
“I don’t think a final definitive decision has yet been made,” he said.
He further emphasized that any future decision by the university would not impact students currently involved in ROTC.
“I am told, however, that by supporting ROTC as we do … we are in danger of being defined as a federal contractor,” Baird said.
He added that such a status could compromise the university’s independence as a private institution with a Christian mission.
Baird stressed caution in characterizing the conflict while the university studies the situation.
“The handful of current Seaver students who participate in ROTC programs at (LMU) … are exceptional young men and women,” he said.
McIntosh also expressed overwhelming satisfaction with the students.
“We’re very happy about the quality of students,” McIntosh said. “It’s critical that our Air Force officer corps has Pepperdine grads in it. You want to get your officer corps to be diverse … it’s a plus for the Air Force and for the university as well.”
Lambert also discussed the importance of the program’s continuance.
“It’s an awesome leadership program that other people won’t get to experience,” she said. “The people are amazing, and I do believe it makes you a better person.”
Pharaoh agreed, saying ROTC has brought her a variety of personal benefits.
“I’m continually learning, and breaking through my fears,” she said.
She added that the organization helped her win a scholarship for SOAR, an Air Force program this summer that instructs cadets with an interest in aviation.
“I’m going to learn how to fly,” Pharaoh said.
March 27, 2003