FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzanne Ernst
(702) 889-8426

FALLON, Nev. - The Nevada Board of Regents today approved policies to better serve UCCSN students and employees serving in the reserve forces of the U.S. Armed Services and the Nevada National Guard.

In a unanimous decision, the Board adopted policies that will allow students called to active duty during the semester to completely withdraw from the college or university without penalty or punitive grade. All course fees will be fully refunded exclusive of student insurance fees and other non-refundable fees. Room and board payments will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.

In addition, if students are able to re-enroll in the same institution after they return from duty within one year of the completion of their term of active service, the college or university will make every possible effort to place these students back into the academic study tracks they were in prior to their call up. Any readmission application fees will be waived.

"A college education is the doorway to opportunity," said Thalia Dondero, chair of the Nevada Board of Regents. "The Board of Regents and the eight institutions of the UCCSN feel strongly that we must do everything possible to keep that doorway open for those who are being called to service to defend our country and our freedoms."

In addition, UCCSN employees who received orders for military service will be compensated for the difference between their UCCSN pay and their military pay. This compensation will continue for the duration of the 2001-2002 contract period. Retirement contributions will also continue for this same period.

More details of the revised policies, which will be in effect for the 2001-2002 academic year only, can be found at www.nevada.edu/military/ starting Monday, October 22.

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 11-member governing body for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one internationally acclaimed research institute, the UCCSN serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to nearly 100,000 students.