Students and community members learned Saturday at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center how to become a conscientious objector to a military draft.

"A C.O. is someone who can't serve in war because of ethical, moral or religious beliefs," said Bill Galvin, a representative for the Center on Conscience & War. "This can include beliefs gathered from religious training or other life experiences, such as involvement with boy scouts or another organization."

In the event of a draft, Galvin said anyone wishing to apply for conscientious objector status must fill out an application that would include questions about how one's beliefs were formed. Galvin said applicants must appear before the Selective Service draft board for a hearing to determine the validity of their claim. "This is where the people who are not sincere about their beliefs will be found out," he said.

Galvin said those given conscientious objector status can either serve as a military non-combatant or can do alternative civilian service in areas such as education and health care. He added that it is important for students to start thinking about their beliefs now, because a draft may be in the near future.

"In my time lobbying on Capitol Hill, I have seen more and more discussions take place regarding the possibility of a draft being reinstated," he said.

A bill to reinstate a military draft, introduced by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., was rejected on Oct. 5 by a vote of 402-2 in the House of Representatives. Galvin said he has spoken with Rangel, and the House member is currently looking into reintroducing the draft bill this year.

"He hasn't made a definite decision yet, but he may decide to introduce the bill this year," he said.

David Miller, pastor of the University Mennonite Church, 318 S. Atherton St., said applying for conscientious objector status is not necessarily an easy way out of going into combat.

"It would be much easier for someone who didn't want to serve to try and flunk the physical or file for an educational exemption," he said. "People applying for C.O. status are usually serious about their beliefs and their reasons for objecting to violence."

About 10 people attended the workshop, sponsored by the State College Peace Center, the Penn State chapter of Amnesty International and Lambs Among Lions campus ministry.

Greg DiCristofaro (junior-music education) said he has already been preparing to file for conscientious objector status. "When I sent in my registration card to the Selective Service, I wrote conscientious objector on it," he said. "But I am preparing to fill out the full application in case the draft comes back. I've already talked to my pastor about writing a letter of support for me."

Catherine Decker (sophomore-English education) said she was surprised to learn how difficult the conscientious objector application process was, but added that she would do it if the draft were extended to women.