As the debate about the sexual orientation clause of the University's nondiscrimination policy garners attention, the effects it will have on the ROTC program have also come to the forefront.

The assumption Bob Connor made in the Collegian (March 22) concerning Michael LaFlam's alleged anti-ROTC stance is false. Michael was raised as an "Air Force brat" in Europe and the United States. Michael's sister and cousin served in the Persian Gulf War.

The "ROTC sucks" flyer has been mentioned out of context. The actual text of the flyer reads "ROTC sucks campus funds to build straight white male castles." It then enumerates issues of discrimination within the military. It does not imply that ROTC should be removed from campus, but that issues of discrimination need to be addressed in our community.

Leslie Osborn and Michael LaFlam have stated that they want to address discrimination against any member of the University community. This includes gay, lesbian and bisexuals. But what many people don't realize is that the issue of discrimination also extends to people who rely on ROTC to subsidize their education.

The solution is not to institute an all-inclusive nondiscrimination policy and kick ROTC off campus. Nor is the solution to ignore the injustices done to the gay community. The solution is to find a method of coexistence between ROTC and an all-inclusive nondiscrimination policy.

This can be done by encouraging the Department of Defense to dissolve their policy against homosexuals. This may sound like an impossible task. But Leslie and Michael have heard that before.

Michael was told the University would never consider adding "sexual orientation" to the nondiscrimination policy, yet it is now being considered.

Leslie has been told that opening the budget and stabilizing tuition were impossible, but through her Student Coalition for Commonwealth Education, she has mobilized 50,000 parents of Penn State students to ask their state representatives to make education a priority.

These accomplishments prove that Leslie and Michael can affect long-lasting, important changes.

The concerns of the gay community should not be ignored because of difficulties encountered in providing for their protection. Leslie Osborn and Michael LaFlam have done the "impossible" before and, as USG president and vice president, are prepared to do it again. So vote for Leslie Osborn and Michael LaFlam on March 27 if you belive in the power of change!