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A CL<JJ<J.Jcr! a~-a~(f~ News: CoPI AG makes its play for MSC affiliation.
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Volume 5, Issue 27 © Metropress April 13, 1983
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Feature: A Castle Rock FM station hopes to f i 11 the Denver r~dio jazz void. Page
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Style: The UCO student art show · conveys a lot of personal involvement. · Page
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Yo 64 percent at Aurarla
~ ROTC ·enrollment by Carson Reed
.. · (CPS)--The. number of Reserve - Officer Training Corps units on college campuses has grown steadily since the height of the Vietnam war, and it continues to grow faster every year. _ _ , ~ Since 1979 the number of ~ROTC post institutions has grown · from 275 to 315, with a national enrollment of 73,819 cadets, up from a low of 41,000. in 1972. One of the programs to spring up l'" in recent years is the ROTCDenver program at Auraria. When ROTC first arrived.here in 1981, it was an extension center from the ROTC unit at CU • .,Boulder. In 1982 it became a fullfledged "post institution," and the number of students,- teachers, Jlasses and scholarships has steadily grown. Enrollment is at . an all-time high of 85 students, up '164 percent from last year, according to L~ Col. Fred Sheldon, administrator for -the ROTCDenver program. "This summer will be the first """time . we've. had a complete teachh.lg staff," Sheldon said, ad-
rising steadily
ding that rapid growth is often cadets to fit into the rollege characteristic of new programs . community, Sheldon said, restric"The more cadets we have, the tions on dress and hair styles are more visibility we have," pe said. more ·relaxed than in the past. "That generates more interest, ·~Fashions change," he said. and that means more cadets." "We have to accept the realities of Sheldon admits that high change." visibility on campus hasn't always But increased patriotism and been so desirable. good will are not the only factors !!!!!!!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We recognize that the military isn't for everyone. But for those who are interested, the opportunities available through the military ate just .unbelievable righ~ now" · - Lt. Col. Fred Sheldon "Several years ago our rapport with students ·was not good. I think attitudes have changed. Until recently, patriotism hasn't been in ·vogue," Sheldon said. He regards his cadets as ambassadors to the cause. "Personal contact is our best advertisement," Sheldon said. "When the college community sees that we are no different from them, then I think they are more open to what we have to offer." Because the ROTC wants its
involved in the increased ·interest in ROTC. "Along with the rise in enrollments, there has been·a fast rise in the number of ROTC scholarships - very fast," said Army ROTC spokesman Wesley The number of Williams. scholarships has almost doubled since 1979. Over half of the students involved in ROTC - soll}e 43,000 - received money from the Pentagon in 1982. The vast majority
of those are juniors and seniors in the ·advanced program who have signed contracts for military service following graduation. Students in those advanced courses receive $100 a month while in ROTC. In a recent Pentagon survey of 5,600 cadets, 43 percent listed college financial demands as a contributing factor in their enlistment. And siilce ROTC money is·not based on need, the money is available to students who might not qualify for Pell grants and other forms of financial aid. In addition to the stipend for juniors and seniors, ROTC scholarships have drawn more and more attention from students. "Last year, six of ou~ cadets applied for scholarships," .Sheldon said. "They all got them. This year, we have 16 applying, and our hopes are high that 100 percent of them will get the money." Sheldon cautioned, however, that not just anyone who comes to him looking ·for a scholarship is · Continued on page•