As the Trump administration sends National Guard soldiers to Chicago, a half dozen Illinois State University students have been called to active duty this week.
ISU currently has about 160 students enrolled in fall courses who are serving in the National Guard or Reserves, according to Patrick McGuire, coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel Services.
Associate Dean of Students Donald Reed said to have six students notify his office in two days raised his eyebrows.
"Now, can I tie that to the recent deployment in Chicago? I don't know that for sure," Reed said.
ISU is eight weeks into the fall term. Reed said the timing may complicate what professors try to do to help.
"Some of that depends on how well the student is doing in the class, and each student is different," said Reed.
The duration of the call-up can also affect a professor's decision. Many Guard units deployed to cities are serving for 30-60 days.
"We might be able to work with the professors to get them excused and allowed to make up for any missed assignments, quizzes, missed attendance points, or what have you," said Reed.
The nature of the course may vary as well, and some classes do not lend themselves to remote learning. Reed said some students might have to take a break from school and start those courses over.
"Students can get a leave of absence from Illinois State University anywhere from one to six semesters, and that includes the summer semester. So, roughly about two years," said Reed.
There are currently 370 students on the ISU campus who are either active-duty veterans or currently serving in the National Guard or Reserve.
Other campuses
Illinois Wesleyan University said it has no members of the Guard or Reserve in its student body.
According to a spokesperson, Heartland Community College has about 150 students who have reported they are either veterans or on some form of military duty. There could be Guard members who do not say anything until they ask for a leave.
“If students are deployed but still able to take classes in a hybrid or remote format, we work with them to make that happen if it is feasible. We have had students take courses while deployed overseas,” Heartland said in a statement.
Heartland students called to active duty for two weeks or more have the right to receive a refund of tuition and fees applicable to their registration.
Heartland did not immediately have a count of students who have been recently deployed.
ISU has long maintained a status as a military-friendly school. It was ranked the No. 2 Military Friendly school in the country for Tier 2 Research Institutions.
“This is owed largely to our service provided to over 500 veterans and dependents using GI Bill benefits and other scholarships,” said McGuire.
A Veterans Study Center in Moulton Hall is exclusively for use by veterans, students serving in the National Guard or Reserve, and ROTC students. The campus also has a chapter of Student Veterans of America.
