New policy adopted for military reserves
By Jennifer Fisher
National security remains on high alert as the war wages on against terrorism in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, and some students are being directly affected.
A few students, belonging to the Army Reserves or the National Guard, have been called to active duty. As circumstances change, the number of students called up, currently estimated as under ten, could very well rise.
To accommodate those who are required to leave IVCC to fulfill their military obligations, Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Robert Marshall, has drawn up a policy in regard to course completion. Dr. Marshall said the new policy is an update from one written in 1991 in response to the Gulf War.
"The Gulf War set a precedent," he said.
Marshall said he knew an updated policy would be needed following Sept. 11, so he contacted various community colleges to compare procedures. A revised policy was presented to the College Board at its October meeting.
The new policy states that students will not be penalized for not completing their courses. For those called to active duty before or on the date of withdrawal, students can be reimbursed for their tuition credits and apply them upon return from duty.
For those called after the withdrawal date, students have the option of either taking an incomplete and finishing course work upon return, being reimbursed for their tuition credits, or taking an early examination to fulfill credit requirements.
Redeeming course credits or fulfilling incomplete course work must be done in a year’s time from deactivation or discharge; official documents, such as a copy of orders must be shown upon return. Taking early examinations or taking an incomplete is up to the instructor.
Even though the call ups have only affected a small number of IVCC students, having a policy in place is good idea, Marshall said.
"It is better to be ready and prepared with what is happening in the world today," he said.