CPS tightens open-door policy for military recruiters

The Chicago Board of Education voted Wednesday to set limits on contacts between recruiters and students in the city's public high schools.

This policy responds to complaints and protests about the kind of access military recruiters have to CPS students. Currently, federal law gives armed services recruiters the same access to students that colleges and career recruiters have.

According to the new policy, all recruiters must schedule visits through the school principal and give at least 48-hours notice before making an appearance. Principals must approve all visits and also may limit the number of recruiter visits per year.

The new policy takes effect immediately with the exception of an opt-out provision, which will go into effect in fall 2008, said CPS representative Michael Vaughn. Juniors and seniors who do not want their contact information released to recruiters must submit opt-out requests no later than Dec. 1.

Recruiters who violate the new guidelines can be barred from the school. Recruiters can appeal principals' decisions with the board's Office of High Schools and High School Programs.

The new policy includes some, but not all, of the recommendations suggested by the American Friends Service Committee, which led a protest at the Board of Education's downtown headquarters before Wednesday's meeting. A spokesperson for the committee called the board's new policy "a good first step.''