"The direct payment option was apparently rejected," said Flier. "The report said it was unfeasible, but do we know it was rejected?"

"Some alumni donors have come forward with money; why do we have to administer this money?" asked Weary Professor of German and Comparative Literature Judith L. Ryan. "I simply don't understand why Harvard has anything to do with the administration of these funds."

In response, Carnesale said Rudenstine felt a responsibility to the students admitted under ROTC scholarships to guarantee they can continue in the ROTC program for their time here.

Skocpol said that by accepting the money from the donors, the University is tacitly giving its approval to Harvard's continuation of ties to ROTC.

"I personally think that the fig leaf here is extremely transparent. It isn't the case that the University will accept money from just anyone," Skocpol said. "Endorsing fundraising is probably the most official act that Harvard could make."

In an echo of the 1969 discussion that pushed ROTC off campus, some faculty members talked about the value of the military itself.

Professor of Yiddish Literature and of Comparative Literature Ruth R. Wisse, a supporter of the Rudenstine compromise, said Harvard students should be allowed to participate in ROTC so that the military will benefit from their service.

Another professor echoed that view.

"I for one feel more comfortable with a military which continues to be infused with civilians and with Harvard-educated civilians," Oettinger said.

If Harvard students no longer participated in ROTC, then many fewer Harvard students would enlist in the military, and at that point "we may not have the luxury of this kind of debate," Oettinger said.

But Gomes said it was ridiculous for the Faculty to turn the discussion into a debate for or against the military or for or against ROTC.

Professors also debated whether Harvard's decision matters in the world beyond Cambridge.

"I know there's a feeling here that what Harvard does is decisive, but as a student of American politics, I don't think that's true," Skocpol said.

Wisse said she did not feel comfortable saying that Harvard had a moral code that is higher than the code of the American people.

But Mansfield vociferously disagreed.