Excused Absence (Withdrawal)

Many student veterans are continuing to fulfill service obligations either in the Reserve or National Guard. It is recommended that your institution’s polices and regulations provide specific protocols for these students in the event they are mobilized or receive orders that conflict with their course schedules.

Students are certainly responsible for keeping their instructors informed of all military-related absences, but faculty and staff should be encouraged to familiarize themselves with the relevant policies and regulations as well as the contacts for veteran student support services so that they can help the activated service member either leave or re-enter the classroom environment. Faculty should be familiar with excused absence policies as well as appropriate campus offices to engage should a situation arise.