With Repeal Of DADT Law Schools Ending Ban On Military Recruiters

The military policy prohibiting openly gay service personal has long been a source of controversy at law schools, and the end of the policy means that law campuses will become less hostile to military recruiters, The National Law Journal reporting that one of the two law schools with an outright ban on military recruiters — Vermont Law School — announced that it had lifted that prohibition on July 22, the day President Obama certified the policy's repeal. "This law school has stood fast to our position of principle, in the face of significant pressure, to insist that the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law be repealed," said Dean Jeff Shields. "That day is finally here." The other school, William Mitchell College of Law, is moving forward on the assumption that administrators will soon end the recruiter ban, said spokesman Steve Linders. "Our position is not anti-military," Linders said. "It is pro-opportunity — we want all of our students who wish to do so to have the opportunity to serve their country. Now that Congress has voted to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and President Obama has signed the certification to end the ban, all will have the opportunity to serve, regardless of sexual orientation, and William Mitchell will once again allow military recruiters on campus." Both William Mitchell and Vermont have been ineligible to receive certain types of federal money for more than a decade as a result of their decision to ban military recruiters. The Association of American Law Schools has formed a committee to examine changes to its policy requiring member schools to take certain steps when military recruiters appear on campus, including scheduling interviews in less-visible locations and putting up signs warning students that the military discriminated against gays and lesbians. The organization took that stance because Don't Ask, Don't Tell was seen as violating the AALS's non-discrimination policy. "We will be issuing guidance for our member schools on placement, non-discrimination, amelioration and the like," said AALS President Michael Olivas. "[The repeal] is a major, helpful change for our membership review process."