A war of words has developed between a top state legislator and a northeast Iowa college over a program that trains military officers. House Speaker Brent Siegrist is criticizing Wartburg College for denying the R-O-T-C access to its Waverly campus. Siegrist says he will introduce legislation to require Iowa colleges to assist in implementing R-O-T-C.Siegrist says R-O-T-C has served the military well and may be even more popular after the September terrorist attacks.Wartburg College president Jack Ohle issued a statement saying the school takes exception with the assertion it has closed its doors to the R-O-T-C program. He says while Wartburg doesn’t offer the program, the school has made every effort to accommodate students who wish to take the courses through the University of Northern Iowa. Ohle says Wartburg maintains a good working relationship with R-O-T-C administrators.
