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Show Signpost Page 3 New amendment Feb. 25, 1977 Major change in GI benefits Veterans going to school under the GI Bill could wind up in debt to the Federal government if they drop courses or receive non-punitive grades under certain circumstances, the Veterans Administration announced. A VA official explained that a recent Congressional amendment to the GI Bill requires the agency to retroactively cancel assistance payments for a course dropped without a grade. This applies also in cases when a course is completed but the grade assigned is, in effect, ignored by the school for graduation requirements. The new regulations do not apply when the situation was caused by circumstances beyond the student's control. The new regulation was described as a major change in GI Bill benefit payments policy. The new law provides that VA may not pay educational benefits for any part of a course which is not used in computing graduation requirements, it was explained. Many students will find themselves overpaid under the GI Bill for courses from which they withdraw and for courses in which the assigned grade is not used in computing the requirements for graduation, the spokesman added. Payments for such a course must be stopped as of the first day of the school term, or December l, 1976, whichever date is later. For example, if a student withdraws from a course on April 1, under the conditions outlined, VA payments will, in effect, be terminated retroactively to the beginning of the term. In the past, GI Bill payments would have been continued up to the date of withdrawal but the new law prohibits this. The VA spokesman urged students enrolled under the GI Bill not to drop a course or request a non-punitive grade until they have contacted their school's veterans affairs office and understand what effect the withdrawal from a course or grade may have on their monthly VA checks. The agency also recommended that both students and school officials provide a brief statement concerning circumstances of the withdrawal or grade assignment when reporting it to the VA. VA will then determine the effect of the circumstances on (he withdrawal, or more punitive grade, and notify the student of the action taken to adjust his or her educational benefits. Students organize to retain instructor "My main concern is that the administration knows the petition was not mine. I found out about it last Wednesday and am flattered, but I recognize administration has a problem," said Gene A. Sessions, instructor in the History Department at Weber. His response was made in regard to a petition some of his students have been circulating on campus to retain Sessions, who may be leaving the institution next year. There are nine positions justified in the History Department and Sessions is sitting in the tenth position. Sessions was hired last year on a one year contract to fill the gap left by Dr. Richard W. Sadler and Dr. Richard C. Roberts, who are Chairman of Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate and Chairman of the General Education Committee respectively, and who are also teaching part-time. According to Sessions, the way the petition started is a student this quarter asked about his classes next year and the student began to circulate the petition. THE ORIGINAL warn A total concept in natural hair design for men & women "I 1 JREDKEN 443 - 39th Str. RETAIL CENTER 394-7900 Please phone for appointment. Library still catching up Personnel and facility wise, the Weber State College library could handle a graduate program, according to Craige S. Hall, Director of Libraries at WSC Stewart Library. "The single problem we would face would be basic size of collection," Hall said. According to Hall, fifteen years ago Weber had a very strong and adequate library but when Weber went to a four year college, the library collections were behind and "we're still trying to catch up." Funding for the new materials needed to update Weber's library could come from the state legislature and the college has submitted a preliminary cost estimate of approximately a $30,000 base. This funding estimate would only provide for the proposed master's program in the School of Education. If any additional schools are proposed for a Master's program, additional funding would be the primary problem and would be necessary, said Hall. In response to the parking problem the library has, Hall said, "Yes, we do need more parking," but Weber is primarily a walk-on campus and some of the buildings more heavily used could use more parking. "We have requested additional parking, but there is not much space available," said Hall, "and not much can be done with the mountain behind us." Discussion will be held A panel discussion on Abortion and Birth Control" will be held Tuesday March 1, in Room 109 of the Social Science Building. The discussion is a presentation given by the History Department and in conjunction with the History Course "Women in America." The discussion has been organized by Gene Sessions ol the History Department and all students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Concert at Tower Singer-songwriter Paul Thorson will be in concert at Promontory Tower Monday at 7 p.m. in the lounge. Thorson has been on the road six years, and has performed before 40,000 college students across the country. He writes most of his songs, plays the guitar, piano and electric organ. Thorson has also recorded a long play album. The concert is free to all dorm students and the public. It is presented by Campus Crusade for Christ. 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