National Guardsman Files Grievance With UNI After Missed Exam

Updated 3:44 p.m.

Cathy DeSoto, the professor named in a grievance filed by an Iowa National Guardsman, has issued a response. Read what she has to say.

Original story:

An Iowa National Guardsman has filed a grievance with the University of Northern Iowa after he said he was denied the chance to make up an exam he missed due to Guard duties.

Freshman James Roethler, who had spent time on active duty in Afghanistan, said he missed a test last week because he had to attend a four-day Guard drill, the Associated Press reported.

He said his professor, listed in the grievance as Cathy DeSoto, told him he would not be able to make up the exam. Students in the class are allowed to drop their lowest test score, and he said he was told this would have to be the dropped score.

DeSoto did not immediately return a call from Patch asking for comment Wednesday.

UNI's top official criticized the decision and says the school is working with the student.

"As university president and a veteran, I strongly disagree with the decision made by the professor in this case," UNI President Ben Allen said in a press release. "We have been working with the student involved from the beginning, and continue to work with him to help ensure he won't be penalized for serving his country."

Allen said UNI has 250 students in the military, and it has been named by G.I. Jobs as a “Miltary Friendly School.”

The Faculty Senate leadership has agreed to review the policies in question as soon as possible, Allen's statement said.

According to the UNI’s grievance policy, student body president Jordan Bancroft-Smith must hold a meeting with Roethler, DeSoto, Department of Psychology head Carolyn Hildebrandt, at least two tenured faculty members and one student.

The Associated Press reported Bancroft-Smithe said he is currently arranging the meeting, to be held by the end of the day Oct. 29. 

The professor and university are taking criticism over the incident.

Here is a sampling from UNI's Facebook page:

• Not proud to be a Panther today. Shame, UNI
• What a disgrace! I bet if he went to a political rally instead of drill the prof would have gladly let him re-take it.
• Sorry this a weak response. Your the president of a major university. Demand this student is able to retake the test. First day I am not proud to be a panther. BA 2001
• This is disappointing news. As a UNI Grad (BA 2011) and Iowa National Guard Member (2006-2012) I never had any problems working with professors. I agree Michael that the President of the University is not possibly doing enough. Its rediculous that those of us who volunteer to serve our country and put our lives on the line have to deal with stuff like this.