Military veterans attending ASU will be granted priority registration for class when they sign up for spring courses later this year.
Beginning at the end of fall, for registration for the spring 2012 semester, veterans will get to register at the same time as athletes, honors students and students who are receiving services through the disability resource center.
Priority registration opens just a few days before regular registration, when the general student body can begin registration. General registration is tentatively scheduled to begin Nov. 7.
Christian Rauschenbach, the program manager for Veteran Services at ASU, said in an email that the decision to allow priority registration for veterans is ASU’s way of supporting the transition from military service to academic success.
Veterans have a limited time to complete their education while receiving benefits from their service, which is based on the length of active duty served. Allowing priority registration will make it easier for them to complete their graduation requirements on time.
“The Veteran’s Administration requires strict adherence to class within a program of study or the veteran will not be reimbursed,” Rauschenbach said. “It is vital for them to gain access as they progress through their program.”
Rauschenbach added that priority registration will also help in instances when members are called back to active service to fulfill deployment or training obligations, because it will give them the ability to make up for the lost time away from school.
Sustainability and global studies senior Tristan Wimmer, vice president of the ASU Veteran’s Club, said the transition from a regimented military lifestyle to attending one of the biggest universities in the nation is hard enough without having to worry about not being able to enroll in mandatory classes.
“Having priority registration will further enable veteran students to choose courses in the areas they are interested in, not just the courses left over once the best ones have been picked over,” Wimmer said.
English literature junior and military veteran David Welch said priority registration for veterans is a great way for ASU to support students who have served in the military.
“I don’t see why this hasn’t been allowed before,” he said. “Veterans do a lot for our country, it’s important for them to be recognized.”
Wimmer agreed with Welch that this is another way to respect veterans.
“This is a small but appropriate gesture on the part of the University in honoring the service of this country’s young veterans,” Wimmer said.
Rauschenbach added that the administration approved this change because ASU greatly appreciates those who have served in defense of the country.
“[Their] selfless service and sacrifices continue to make our freedoms a daily reality,” he said. “It’s an honor to help [them] make [their] transition from military life rewarding and successful.”
Reach the reporter at danielle.legler@asu.edu
