As tensions mount between the United States and Iraq, UB officials are developing official plans for how the university will secure the enrollment and handle the financial situation of Army reservists who may be called into active service.
According to Joanne Plunkett, director of UB's Student Response Center, the university is aware that student reservists could be called to service any day.
"We have started getting calls from students who know they will be called soon, and since they are already in classes, they want to know whether to drop the classes," Plunkett said. "We are going to be a one-stop shop for dealing with those type of problems."
The guidelines currently being drafted by the Student Response Center are meant to protect the affairs of UB student reservists while they are on a tour of duty. Plunkett said that any UB student called into active duty would have to provide the Student Response Center with formal military orders to secure their financial stability, as well as their enrollment at UB.
"We heard from the U.S. Army that (the reservists) would be called up rather quickly," Plunkett said. "Since the call will come so quickly, we need to have a plan already in place."
To help ease possible confusion, the UB administration has determined that the Student Response Center will be the official liaison between the university and students affected by call-ups.
Aside from potentially failing classes, Plunkett said students who leave the university suddenly are also in danger of defaulting on student loans.
The guidelines are in the final stages of being drafted and should be official soon, said Plunkett.
She also said it is crucial for any UB student enlisted in the Army Reserves to contact their advisor immediately.
Students can contact the Student Response Center at 645-2450.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
