AT THE University of Virginia, students and faculty have a unique appreciation and fondness of what it means to be American. Students here understand civic duty and self-governance; they understand that diversity makes America so strong. However, for all the patriotism and reverence for our founding fathers, the University seems to be missing one key element -- the American flag.
The University differs from nearly every other public institution by not displaying American flags in classrooms. In my public high school, American flags were respectfully hung as a reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve democracy and as a reflection of the values of freedom and diversity that the flag represents. At this University, however, the walls remain bare.
The University continues its tradition of civic duty by supporting a thriving ROTC program for students. Our ROTC program continues to train some of the best and brightest, many of whom have served or will undoubtedly serve in foreign wars. These men and women carry on the tradition of those before them. In World War I, our own Woodrow Wilson served as the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. During the Second World War the University registered over 300 men in the Rotunda and President Newcomb created compulsory physical education classes. Even our founder, Mr. Jefferson, is best known as a revolutionary. This tradition of civic duty and military service has not faded. These fine men and women display their allegiance to the flag. So why should this public University not follow suit?
It is in our servicemen and women's honor, and in keeping with the values instilled in this University by Mr. Jefferson, that the College Republicans call on the University administration to place American flags in each and every classroom at the University.
With the wide success of the $3 billion Capital Campaign, the University is searching for ways to spend this privately donated money and improve our academic experience. As students, we eagerly await expanded course offerings, new faculty, and state-of-the-art buildings. But we also believe that the University should devote a small fraction of its resources to a tribute to our nation. It is the increasing diversity of our ideology, our faith, and our free speech that makes the University so strong. These values of tolerance and freedom are the same values our founding fathers fought for as they first raised the American flag.
In 2004, the Florida state legislature, in recognition of the heavy military population of the state, enacted the Carey Baker Freedom Flag Act. This act mandated that American flags be placed in every state classroom with funds raised through private donations. In a state such as Virginia, which houses the largest naval base in the world, the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, it seems logical that Virginia public institutions should be held to this same standard. The University of Virginia should once again prove that it is a leader among state institutions and be the first public university in the state to mandate that American flags be placed in each of its classrooms.
The College Republicans are not the sole keepers of these values. It is each and every diverse group, the hundreds of CIOs and countless international students and professors that evince the glory of the American flag and the responsibilities it entails. We come from diverse backgrounds, we have diverse aspirations, yet all students and faculty rally around the same American flag. It is the same American flag that represents the sacrifice our university has made to the preservation of freedom; it represents a nation of immigrants from all counties, classes, and creeds. The American flag represents our democratic way of life, the values of our founding fathers, the strength of our military, and freedom.
Simply put, an American Flag should be placed in each and every classroom at this public university as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the civic responsibilities entailed in securing an American democratic system. After all, we are sure that their current absence from our public classrooms is nothing more than an oversight by the University. I personally invite you to join this effort and full-heartedly urge the University administration to support this proposal.
Robert Martin is a fourth year and Reece Epstein is a second year in the College of Arts & Sciences. They are the president and co-director of communications of the College Republicans.
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