While running through the Arb on the first warm day of spring, Rackham student Ronald Holzhacker was surprised by a blur of fatigues and weapons pointed skyward.
Holzhacker, a graduate student and member of Citizens for the Preservation of Nichols Arboretum, said he thinks the Reserve Officer's Training Corps should train elsewhere.
"It was the first sunny day and I decided to go jogging in the Arb, when all of sudden I see a woman in fatigues and boots carrying a machine gun," Holzhacker said.
"I thought it was very inappropriate, even after I learned they were only replica guns."
But Holzhacker said he became even angrier when he observed the rest of the ROTC training in progress.
"A few moments later I saw a large group of soldiers marching in two columns, singing their military fight songs," Holzhacker said.
Kris Sullivan, an LSA senior and ROTC member, said ROTC members are not trying to harm anyone or anything while in the Arb.
"When we are participating in drills, we always make sure to try not to disturb any of the wildlife or visitors. I think it would be wrong to say that we were disturbing the peace," Sullivan said. "We work very hard and we don't want to have anyone feel frightened or uncomfortable."
Holzhacker said he plans to bring the issue before the Board of Regents at their monthly meeting next week and has already delivered a letter to President Lee Bollinger.
"It was really a scary experience. With all these new age militia groups, I didn't know what was going on out there," Holzhacker said. "A couple that I saw looked like they were in complete terror. (ROTC) shouldn't be out there. There are safety and environmental concerns at hand."
Director of the Nichols Arboretum and SNRE Associate Dean Harrison Morton said the Arb has various uses for local residents. "The Arboretum is a place for everyone to enjoy and use," Morton said. "As part of the University, the Arb is also a research facility and is used by different schools within the system."
Morton said he has no problem with ROTC members using the Arb for training.
"Like many other classes, ROTC has used the Arb for many years for educational purposes," Morton said. "In addition to exercise, they practice map and compass training as well as movement techniques."
Local resident Patrica Canton said the whole issue has been blown out of proportion.
"Leave them alone," Canton said. "They're just students participating in a great tradition and everyone should be proud of them. They are just doing what they have to do."