More than a dozen National Guardsmen have signed up for Nicholls classes. Formal registration ended Sept. 15, but Nicholls will still accept National Guardsmen on a case-by-case basis, according to the office of enrollment services. All National Guardsmen who have registered were already enrolled in other colleges when they were called upon for active duty following Hurricane Katrina.

“We have been treating these students in the same way as other displaced students at the University,” Courtney Cassard, director of enrollment services, said.

Lt. Lance Beal said, “(University President Stephen) Hulbert gave us the opportunity to allow my men to continue their education while they are here.” Beal met with Hulbert and provost and vice president for academic affairs, Carroll Falcon, to arrange the admission of his troops.

Beal has said he is in favor of his men enrolling in classes, but only if they believe it will not interfere with their mission.

“I have encouraged it, but all have been informed that the mission comes first,” Beal said.

Specialist Josh Sigue, who has registered for a class in business administration, echoes Beal’s words.

“Mission comes first for me,” Sigue said. “It has been so much of a burden to drop all of my classes. But if they need me, I will walk right out of class.”

National Guardsmen who have enrolled have signed up for one or two classes.