The ever-controversial issue of whether ROTC should remain on campus or be kicked off for its policies on homosexuals will come to light again tonight.

“ROTC in the Crossfire,” a 8:30 p.m. debate sponsored by NIU’s Young Democrats, will unfold in room 305 of the Holmes Student Center. Thomas Gary, Student Association president pro tem will act as the moderator.

Tom Elkins, Kevin Shramek and Michael Tovar will argue the affirmative and Galvin Kennedy and Jim Mertes will offer the negative debate.

“There was a lot of controversy of the actual wording (of the resolution),” Kennedy said. The group spent about two hours developing and revising the resolution, Tovar said.

The resolution reads, “That the ROTC has a policy of discriminating against homosexuals that denies them scholarships and commissions, which violates NIU’s constitution.”

Kennedy said the purpose of the debate is “to inform the public of the issue.” Fliers were posted “all over the place,” he said.

The debate will follow a standard format, Kennedy said. The affirmative side will present arguments for five minutes, followed by two negative arguments amounting to eight minutes. The group will then enter rebuttals.

Audience members will have a chance to question the debaters, Kennedy said. ROTC and Gay/Lesbian Union members are expected to attend, Tovar said.

The audience will vote on a winner after the debate, Kennedy said. However, the object is not to reach an actual conclusion. “There’s no right answer,” he said.

The YDs are sponsoring the panel because the debaters “wanted the most neutral group,” Tovar said.