Montana State University-Northern announced this week it will extend deadlines for students who are fighting fires this year.
Chancellor Alex Capdeville said that while the Montana State University system has not adopted a systemwide policy to accommodate students who are fighting fires, Northern will adopt the same policy it used last year to benefit those students.
The main points of the policy are:
Montana State University-Northern will extend registration, financial aid, housing and other deadlines for students who are fighting forest fires until Sept. 26, three weeks after fall semester classes begin.
The deadline also applies to any members of the National Guard who are called out to help with firefighting.
To take advantage of the extended deadline, students should notify the registrar's office of their intent to take advantage of this internal policy.
If any member of the academic community is aware of students in this situation, or if firefighting students have talked to members of the academic community about their situation, those names should be given to the registrar's office.
If possible, students should give the registrar's office their name, Social Security number, and the name and location of the firefighting agency that they work for. Students should also retain proof of their employment.
The extension to Sept. 26 applies to all students working in the firefighting effort, including those providing support services for fire crews.
Students whose service prevent them from returning to campus by Sept. 26 will receive a total refund of their money.
Faculty members are expected to accommodate students who take advantage of this policy.
