"I ask whether it would be the case that ROTC policy discriminated against Jews, would Harvard University continue to write the check?" Potebnja Professor of Ukranian Philosophy Michael S. Flier said. "I ask whether it would be the case that ROTC policy discriminated against African-Americans, would Harvard University continue to write the check? I ask whether it would be the case that ROTC policy discriminated against women, would Harvard University continue to write the check?"

One professor spoke on a more personal level.

"In the four years I have been at Harvard, I would say a half dozen of my colleagues know I'm gay and have no problem with it," said Aga Khan Professor of Iranian P. Oktor Skjaervo.

"They might not think it is such a big deal being gay. But gay people do have problems," Skjaervo said. "I do think personally that Harvard does have a more important function in the society," a responsibility to set moral precedents.

Another professor took issue with the discussion's sharp division between the "practical" argument--keeping ROTC for the benefit of the students who get scholarships--and the "principled" argument--cutting ties to ROTC because it discriminates against homosexuals.

"It distresses me to see one side of this argument characterized as principled and the other as practically expedient," Oettinger said. "I see no hypocrisy on either side."

Hypocrisy or not, many faculty members asked whether Rudenstine's decision meets the stipulations of the 1992 Verba report.

"I think the proposal is a tricky one, but nonetheless not inconsistent with the Verba report," said Pforzheimer University Professor Sidney Verba '53. "It would be better if this fund could be distanced more from the University, but the fact is that the real world doesn't work that way."

"It is an extremely tough call," Verba said. "It is hard to know what is University activity and what is not University activity."

Professor of English and Comparative Literature James Engell said the consistency of the Rudenstine's compromise with the Verba report is "very good." But Engell cautioned that he is not convinced the report should become a long-term solution.

Plummer Professor of Christian Morals Peter J. Gomes also said that he would like to see more thought go into Harvard's position on ROTC.

"I took no pleasure in any of the proceedings or conclusions to which we came, and I take no particular pleasure in the report the president has given to the Faculty," said Gomes, a member of the Verba committee. "I am in favor of the report, I am reluctant to say, simply because it provides useful and constructive time for the president to continue his negotiations."

Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. '53 had a slightly different reaction to the validity of the Verba report.

"You're a bunch of liberals, and you passed a nutty ultimatum on the Pentagon, and you received a humiliating rebuttal," Mansfield said.

Another issue that arose was whether the anonymous alumni contributors could pay the ROTC funds to MIT directly, without using Harvard as a conduit.