A New Jersey lawmaker has introduced legislation to support students with military obligations when they're suddenly called away from school.

Thinkstock Images, Getty Images
Thinkstock Images, Getty Images
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“Our military members who are also in college shouldn't be penalized in the classroom because of the many sacrifices they make outside of it in protecting our country, we need to ensure that all colleges and professors are providing appropriate support when military duties take students away from classes,” says State Senator Gerry Cardinale.

His measure would specifically require all colleges in New Jersey to adopt policies and procedures to support students in the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve members when they miss classes because of deployment, calls for monthly drills, annual training and any active duty service whether voluntary or involuntary.

Bob Salvini, the County Commander of the Bergen County American Legion says, “This amendment will protect students with a military obligation and insure that they have adequate time to complete their courses without the fear of receiving an incomplete when activated.”

Senator Cardinale’s bill would provide several grade options for students who are unable to complete a course because of their military service duties and require students be allowed five days per each missed class to make up homework and be given access to lecture notes and a tutor.

“Students who slough off on their course work and skip class for no reason deserve to fail,” he says. “But our hard-working service members who have to juggle classes with military training and other duties deserve assistance when their service obligations take them away from the classroom.”

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