Local colleges accommodate students in Guard, Reserves
Charles Williamson has 24 folders on his desk at California University of Pennsylvania that represent 24 soldiers called away from their studies to military service in some capacity as a possible war with Iraq looms over the nation. “We will probably have some more in the next couple of weeks,” Williamson said of the university’s students called to active duty in the Reserve and National Guard.
Williamson, assistant dean for student development and director of veterans’ affairs at Cal U, said the university has about 50 other students enrolled who are in the military but not activated.
Eleven students had been deployed in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, and have since returned to their classes, while a recent May graduate is serving and a couple of students withdrew last fall and continue to serve.
The situation is similar at other local campuses, where officials said they are doing everything they can to accommodate those students answering Uncle Sam’s call.
“We make sure that no student is penalized academically, financially or etc. We go out of our way. We have experience with Desert Storm, when we had students activated and some injured. Number one, we talk to the student,” Williamson said.
Activated early in the semester, Williamson said, a student soldier can withdraw “100 percent” with his tuition returned, books sold back and no recorded grade. Late in the semester, he said, the student soldier may decide with his professors to be awarded a grade or take an incomplete and make up the missed studies later.
Williamson said Cal U President Dr. Angelo Armenti Jr., in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, charged the Veterans’ Affairs Office with putting a team in place to help those called to duty make the transition out of college and back in as painlessly as possible.
“California has a tradition of veteran service first of all and a tradition of veteran students and veteran involvement,” he said. “Southwestern Pennsylvania is rich in service to our country. Large numbers have served in the military. It’s part of our make-up, I think, and we’re here to help and guide these young people. Putting obstacles in the way is not the way to do that, so we take the obstacles out of the way.”
Williamson said he has witnessed a good attitude among the student soldiers and support from their peers for them as individuals, regardless of how they may feel about war.
He noted Cal U’s veterans’ club is planning a “We Support Our Student Soldier” campaign to recognize those in military service.
“I see these young folks when they walk into my office, every single one. Maybe it’s because they were around for Sept. 11, 2001, and they see the relevance. Every single one is well prepared. I can’t say eager, but they are prepared and ready. They are leaving, knowing that it’s their duty, and that makes me very proud,” he said.
Penn State Fayette has a dozen reservists on the active duty list. Officials of the local campus follow the lead of Penn State University in responding to the soldiers.
“Approximately 12 Penn State Fayette students have been called to active duty. Our campus is proud that our students are a part of our national defense. The Penn State Fayette faculty and staff have worked diligently to accommodate the unique academic needs of our student soldiers. We respect their commitment and dedication, and we wish them well with a speedy, safe return,” said campus executive officer Dr. Gregory Gray.
University spokesman Tysen Kendig said 113 students throughout he Penn State system have been deployed already in this spring semester, with the registrars’ offices helping as many as 10 students a day called to duty.
He said 38 students were activated last fall.
The student’s first step in getting a military withdrawal from Penn State is to take his activation orders to a registrar’s office.
The withdrawal means tuition is refunded and no grades are recorded, regardless of the time elapsed in the semester. On return, the student soldier has direct access back into his academic major and campus, with priority during advance registration.
“They can essentially pick up right where they left off at Penn State,” he said. “The university feels its responsibility is to the troops in service of the country.”
At Waynesburg College, where four students are on active duty, the response is similar to Penn State’s.
The Rev. Richard Noftzger, vice president for educational services, said the student is allowed to withdraw from the college at any time during the semester, for a full refund.
“The only place maybe that they do not get refunded for is meals that they already ate,” he said. “We’re trying to be accommodating. Obviously, it’s not their choice to go. They made the choice to join the Reserves, but they are called by national dictate.”
He said the response was the same when about a handful of students served in Desert Storm.
The local colleges have had no formal programs on the possibility of war with Iraq, although Waynesburg College has hosted relevant presentations, such as a recent program on Islamic women, and the regularly scheduled faculty/student dialogs have addressed related topics.
“We’ve had services on trying to understand Islam. Understanding is the first step toward being able to know what we’re getting into. You need to understand to love your neighbor,” Noftzger said. “I think whether you are in favor or opposed to a potential strike in Iraq, we need to be able to have dialog. Talk about it.”
At neighboring West Virginia University, where 234 enrolled students are members of the Reserve and National Guard, officials have compiled lists of resources for students who are called to active duty and also support services for students left behind at the Morgantown, W.Va., campus who may have questions and concerns.
One list includes suggestions for transforming stress into positive energy, encouraging students to get involved in campus activities.
WVU Provost Gerald Lang said students called to serve more than three-quarters into the semester may receive credit for their courses or may complete the studies later.
Those withdrawing for military service before the 12th week of the semester receive a full refund. The student soldiers also get room and board refunds or credit on their return.
Fifteen students have left WVU this semester for active duty.