AUMCC, in cooperation with Campus Life @ AU, the AU Dems, and The Bridge have scheduled multiple events to commemorate Veterans Day.
On Tuesday, November 10th, there will be two opportunities to meet or thank the local and campus veteran community:
On Wednesday, November 11th, The Bridge is honoring Veterans during open hours for Veterans Day by offering a complimentary beverage – just let them know you’re a veteran!
September 5-11, 2021, is Suicide Prevention Week, and we wanted to share a few resources with our members.
AUMCC President Jennifer Thurston would like to share this message with our military-connected community:
View it on the AU website at https://www.american.edu/veterans/newsletter-921.cfm
Make sure to read News You Can Use Volumes 1 & 2 for other important announcements!
What is the VA 6 Credit Hour Exclusion and how is it different from mitigating circumstances?
The American University Veterans Services team is excited to welcome students back to campus! Still, we recognize that returning to in-person classes will not be without its challenges. Luckily, Veterans Affairs offers two options for students that might need to drop one or more classes without disrupting the continued receipt of their education benefits or penalizing the student with an incurring debt.
So, what is the 6-hour credit exclusion?
Well, the VA permits students to continue to receive benefits relevant to their enrollment after dropping up to 6-credit hours and up to the date they dropped classes where the student received non-punitive grades (“W’). What this means is that the VA will grant a one-time exclusion and no questions asked (proof of mitigating circumstances do not need to be provided), where the VA will pay for the dropped course from the date the course began until the date they were dropped by the student after the deadline of the university or program (whichever is applicable). This is not to be interpreted as the VA paying for the courses in full up to 6 credit hours. The VA will pay for the portion of the courses the student completed and the student will be billed for the portion that was not. If you’re dropping less than 6 Credit hours, the exclusion will only be granted for the amount of credits dropped and your one-time exclusion is used. The “unused” credits do not roll over for another time.
Ok. So what happens if you need to drop credit hours beyond the 6-credit hour exclusion policy?
Dropping credits beyond the 6-credit hour exclusion is where the mitigating circumstances provision may apply. This provision works the same as the 6-credit hour exclusion in terms of payments (the VA only paying for the portion of what was completed and billing the student for what was not) however the distinction is that the provision requires proof of mitigating circumstances before it is approved, and VA payments can be dispersed. A few examples of what the VA would deem mitigating circumstances are death in the family, severe sickness or illness, unforeseen change in employment, unavoidable geographical transfer. These are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
September 5, 2021 (6:30 – 7:30 PM EST)
First general body meeting of the American University Military Connected Club held on Zoom. This meeting occurs the first Sunday of every month. Meeting Zoom Link
September 5, 2021 (8:00 PM EST)
Open discussion for student members of the American University Military Connected Club. This is a monthly event! To request membership to the American University Military Connected Club, visit the Office of Campus Life’s “Engage” platform. You can also follow the Military Connect Club on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
September 6, 20201
Labor Day! American University Veterans Services Office will be closed and will resume normal services on September 7, 2021.
September 13, 2021
Last day to drop a fall course for a 100% refund and without a “W” recorded. This date is especially important for students using VA education benefits, since our office will start certifying students’ benefits after this date for students in programs at AU’s main campus. For guidance on the add/drop period for other academic programs (i.e., online programs) visit American University’s Calendar of Events.
Mark your calendar!
Army Contracting Command – INSCOM is registered to attend the Career Fair at American Universiy on September 23, 2021. Army Contracting Command – INSCOM is made up of mostly Army Civilian Employees along with some Active Duty Soldiers. It also has a large number of former Active Duty Soldiers working in the organization now as Army Civilians.
Feel free to reach out to Jeff Martin, Supervisory Human Resources Analyst at:
Jeffrey.p.martin.civ@mail.mil with any questions.
Kai Yuen Suherwan
Communications Director,
American University Military Connected Club
Kai Yuen Suherwan grew up in Singapore and served in the Singapore Army, as part of his national service. He now attends American University and is enrolled in the School of International Studies. He is extremely passionate about helping the Veteran community and is especially looking forward to his new position as social media director for the American University Military Connected Club. Kai’s passion for assisting the American University Military Connected Club stems from his hope that American University’s military-connected students feel a sense of inclusion and appreciation that he was not afforded. He’s the youngest but among the brightest of the American University Military Connected Club’s leadership team. We’re very grateful for his communications and social media skills. Kai plays an essential role, working tirelessly for all members of the American university Military Connected Club. The club’s President, Jennifer Thurston, has expressed much praise for Kai and says “I can’t imagine where we’d be without him. Thank you, Kai!”
Meet the AUMCC team at the American University, 2021 Involvement Fair! We’ll have members of the team available via Zoom from 12pm – 4pm EST on Thursday, September 2, 2021. (Open to American University students only)
How can I prepare for the Fair?
Zoom Booth attendees:
1200 – 1300 – Jennifer Thurston
1300 – 1400 – Max Jentsch
1400 – 1530 – David Proferes
1400 – 1600 – Kai Suherwan
1530 – 1600 – Lewis Nelson
NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Aug. 22, 2021) Senior Airman Moon escorts Afghan evacuees aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Young)
We thank president Burwell for making the nominal effort in referencing the situation in Afghanistan in her Fall Welcome Letter.
In her statement president Burwell stated:
“Many in our community are struggling as family and friends endure terrible tragedies. This includes Afghan and Afghan American members of our community with loved ones at risk, and our veterans’ community, a number of whom served in Afghanistan or alongside colleagues and Afghan allies affected by the recent events. The devastating attack last week only deepens the pain, and we honor those who were lost. Our hearts are with you, and we are here to help.”
We ask president Burwell what resources at American University are available for our Afghan friends and Veteran community.
Moving on we hope that we can see more action and support given to our Afghan friends and our veteran community from our campus resources and President.
