Accommodations and provisions for reservists at Reichman University for the 2025-2026 academic year

 

Dear students,

 

As we begin the 2025-2026 academic year, we would like to present you with the current list of provisions and accommodations for reservists studying at Reichman University.

 

These protocols are in full accordance with the directives published by the Council for Higher Education (CHE) for all institutions and include additional extensions and accommodations for reservists, career soldiers serving in designated forward units, wounded members of the defense establishment, and their spouses.

 

For the sake of clarity, in this document, the term “reserve service” encompasses both reserve duty and career service in designated forward units, as well as absences due to injuries sustained in the Swords of Iron War that required hospitalization.

 

In addition, this year the university has again decided to extend certain accommodations to the following groups: immediate family members of the wounded, the fallen, and the hostages; students serving as career soldiers or in the armed forces (beyond those serving in designated forward units, as mentioned above); “Atuda” students called up for temporary regular service; members of the rescue and medical forces; and students who are partners (married or in a recognized domestic partnership) of career solders or defense establishment employees and are parents of young children.

 

Students who were severely impacted by the war and do not fall under any of the above categories may submit an application for accommodations through their track coordinator. These requests will be reviewed by the Dean of Student Affairs.

 

For the sake of clarity, these protocols apply to reserve service and other relevant eligibility criteria for the current academic year — 2025-2026. The implementation of accommodations granted to service members during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 academic years will be possible in cases where the university’s announcement of April 15, 2024 explicitly states that the requested accommodations are defined as cumulative.

 

 

Please note that a separate list of accommodations and provisions for reservists, adjusted to students at the School of Medicine, will be published soon. 

 

 

Schedule of eligibility periods for accommodations for the 2025-2026 academic year 

 


 
1.  Academic accommodations for reservists will be provided based on the length of service during a specific semester or throughout the entire 2025-2026 academic year, according to four defined groups. In line with the CHE directives, accommodations are allocated separately for each semester, based on the length of service during that semester.

 


2. For eligibility in the first semester, reserve duty will be counted from October 26, 2025 until March 14, 2026 (the last day before the start of the second semester).
2.1. Accommodations for graduate programs: For graduate degree programs taught in a mini-semester format, eligibility for mini-semesters 1 and 2 will be based on reserve duty performed between November 9, 2025 and February 13, 2026.

 


3. For eligibility in the second semester, reserve duty will be counted from March 15, 2026 until the last day before the start of the following academic year (2026-2027).
3.1. Accommodations for graduate programs: For graduate degree programs taught in a mini-semester format, eligibility for mini-semesters 3 and 4 will be based on reserve duty performed between March 1, 2026 and June 6, 2026.

 


4. Students who serve over 70 days of reserve duty in the first semester may submit a request to the Dean of Students Affairs through their track coordinator to extend their eligibility to the second semester.

 

 


 
Groups eligible for accommodations:

 

 


 
5. Group 1: Students who served up to 20 cumulative days of reserve duty during a semester in the 2025-2026 academic year (applicable for that semester).

 


6.  Group 2: Students who fall into one or more of the following categories and students who are parents of children up to the age of 13 whose partner falls into one or more of these categories:


6.1. Students who served 21 or more cumulative days of reserve duty during any semester in the 2025-2026 academic year (applicable for that semester).
6.2. Students who served 35 or more cumulative days of reserve duty throughout the entire 2025-2026 academic year.
6.3. Students who served 60 or more days of reserve duty during the 3 months preceding the start of the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year (August, September, October 2025). 

 


7. Group 3: Students who served 35 or more cumulative days of reserve duty during any semester in the 2025-2026 academic year (applicable for that semester) and students who are parents of children up to the age of 13 whose partner meets this service requirement.

 


8. Group 4: Students serving in designated forward units who have served 300 days or more over the course of their studies since October 2023, as well as students who are parents of children up to the age of 13 whose partner meets this service requirement.

 


9. Accommodations for graduate programs: For graduate degree programs taught in a mini-semester format, the provisions applicable to the first semester will apply to mini-semesters 1 and 2, and those applicable to the second semester will apply to mini-semesters 3 and 4.

 


 
General guidelines and accommodations 

 


 
10. The following accommodations are available to all reservists, regardless of unit or length of service:
10.1. Expansion of accommodations: The accommodations detailed in this document supplement the standard rights provided to reservists at Reichman University under the university’s standard reservist regulations.
10.2. Lesson recordings: All classes taught during the 2025-2026 academic year will be recorded and made accessible to students serving in the reserves. In cases where recording is not possible, the course staff will proactively assist reservists in obtaining and completing the study materials.
10.3. Progress in studies without enforcement of prerequisites: Students who were registered for a prerequisite course but were unable to take the exam due to reserve duty will be allowed to continue their studies in subsequent semesters without enforcement of the prerequisite requirement.
10.4. Procedure for submitting requests for accommodations: Requests for accommodations, accompanied by relevant documentation, should be submitted through the track coordinators at the student administration offices or via the student’s personal portal on the university website.

 

 

Accommodations by eligibility group

 

 

11. Accommodations for Group 1:
11.1.  All existing accommodations provided under the university’s standard reservist regulations, student rights policies, and Section 10 above.
11.2.  Extensions for the submission of assignments due within the week preceding a special exam date for reservists.


12. Accommodations for Group 2:
12. 1. All existing accommodations provided under the university’s standard reservist regulations, student rights policies, and Section 10 above, as well as all accommodations for Group 1 (as stated in Section 11 above). 
12.2. Reduced study load:
 
12.2.1.  Exemption from academic credits up to the maximum limit approved by the CHE: Exemption from 6 academic credits in an undergraduate program or 4 academic credits in a graduate program, applicable to non-mandatory courses (electives, general courses, and other courses approved by the university). This exemption is valid for the entirety of the degree. Please note that, in accordance with the decision of the CHE, credit exemptions due to reserve duty are capped at a maximum of 10 credits for an undergraduate degree (8 in Law School) and 4 credits for a graduate degree, cumulatively for the entire degree.
12.2.2. Exemption from attendance for a limited period: Exemption from attendance for an additional week immediately following the period of reserve duty.
12.2.3. Reduced assignment load: Reduction of the number of required assignments in a given course, based on the proportion of reserve service weeks within the semester’s teaching weeks and in accordance with the nature of the course. In courses with weekly assignments, students will be exempted from submitting assignments during their reserve service and the week following their return. For other courses, it will be the lecturer’s responsibility to determine an appropriate reduction in accordance with the general provisions.
12.2.4. Labs: The course staff will arrange accommodations for students to either make up the labs required to fulfill the course duties or alternatively, to reduce the number of required labs. The solution will take into account the length of reserve service and will be decided upon by the lecturer responsible for the course.
12.2.5. Flexibility in schedule adjustments: Students will be granted flexibility in modifying their semester schedule beyond the official change deadline, and may withdraw from courses late without incurring any fees.
 12.3. Accommodations for exams and grade adjustment:
 12.3.1. Conversion to a passing grade: Students may convert a numerical grade to a verbal “pass” grade in two undergraduate courses or one graduate course during the 2025-2026 academic year, in a course of their choice, provided they have met the course’s requirements for passing. For this purpose, a final grade of 55 will be considered a passing grade. 

 

Please note I:  This option is not available for courses where a numerical grade is required for professional licensing, compulsory courses, or core courses in a graduate degree program. 

 


Please note II: According to a CHE directive, the maximum number of courses in which a numerical grade can be converted to a “pass” grade throughout a degree program is capped at five courses for an undergraduate degree and two courses for a graduate degree. For an undergraduate degree, the total credits for all courses graded as “pass,” including under accommodations made in previous semesters, must not exceed 10% of the total credits required for the degree. 

 

12.3.2. Alternative assessment and modified exams: Based on the nature of the course and exam format, and at the discretion of the lecturer and the university, students in this group are entitled to alternative assessments for at least three exams, chosen from among the courses that allow such alternatives.

 


Please note I: Each school may designate specific subjects for which alternative assessments will not be available, provided that each eligible student has the option of alternative assessment in at least three subjects. 

 


Please note II: Alternative assessment for computer science students — Students enrolled in a full curriculum are entitled to an alternative assessment in two exams per semester, a modified exam, or the higher grade out of two exam sittings. Alternatively, the university may predefine at least two courses within each curriculum, in each semester and academic year, in which an alternative assessment, a modified exam, or the higher grade out of two exam sittings will be granted to students in this group.
In all cases, the choice of the applicable accommodation from among these alternatives will be at the university’s discretion.
In graduate degree programs, including the MBA, Financial Economics, and Behavioral Economics tracks, the alternatives and accommodations will be determined in accordance with the nature of the course and the exam, and at the discretion of the dean.


For the remaining courses in the same semester, students in this group will be entitled to take exams on three separate dates, as detailed in Section 12.3.4 below.

 

Alternative assessments by schools for Semester A

 

Alternative assessments by schools for Semester B

 

 

12.3.3. Exemptions due to previous studies: Students may submit a request for examination and exemption from a course due to previous academic studies at another Israeli institution, provided they obtained a passing grade in the relevant course.
12.3.4. Third exam date: Students enrolled in computer science programs are entitled to a third exam date, to be scheduled within 30 days of the student’s completion of reserve service. A student who chooses not to take this exam will be eligible for the alternative options available under the standard rights granted to reservists.

12.4. Addressing the need for extended studies: 
12.4.1. Extension of studies (if necessary) without additional fees: Students who have completed a cumulative reserve service of at least 42 days during the 2025-2026 academic year will be entitled to extend their studies by one semester without incurring any additional tuition fees.
12.5.  Assistance in completing studies:
12.5.1. For computer science students — completion of coursework following reserve service: Individual or small-group tutoring will be provided to help students make up the study material covered during their reserve duty.

 

13. Accommodations for Group 3 
13. 1. All existing accommodations provided under the university’s standard reservist regulations, student rights policies, and Section 10 above, as well as all accommodations for Group 1 (as stated in Section 11 above) and Group 2 (as stated in Section 12 above).
13.2. Extra time for exams:  25% extra time on both exam dates in the semester in which the student served in the reserves. A student who is entitled to additional time as a reservist and also has additional time allowances for other reasons will receive both extensions, up to a maximum of 50% of the original exam time.
13.3. Reduced study load:
 
13.3.1. Exemption from attendance for a limited period - Exemption from attendance from the end of reserve duty through the remainder of the semester.
13.3.2. Exemption from academic credits up to the maximum limit approved by the CHE: Exemption from 8 academic credits in an undergraduate program or 4 academic credits in a graduate program, applicable to non-mandatory courses (electives, general courses, and other courses approved by the university). This exemption is valid for the entirety of the degree. 

 


Please note: In accordance with the decision of the CHE, credit exemptions due to reserve duty are capped at a maximum of ten credits for an undergraduate degree and four credits for a graduate degree (in Law School up to 8), cumulatively for the entire degree. 


 
13.4. Grade adjustment:

13.4.1. Conversion to a passing grade: Students may convert a numerical grade of 55 and higher to a verbal “pass” grade in three undergraduate courses or two graduate courses during the 2025-2026 academic year, in a course of their choice, provided they have met the course’s requirements for passing. 

 

Please note I:  This option is not available for courses where a numerical grade is required for professional licensing, compulsory courses, or core courses in a graduate degree program.

 


Please note II: According to a CHE directive, the maximum number of courses in which a numerical grade can be converted to a “pass” grade throughout a degree program is capped at five courses for an undergraduate degree and two courses for a graduate degree. For an undergraduate degree, the total credits for all courses graded as “pass,” including under accommodations made in previous semesters, must not exceed 10% of the total credits required for the degree. 

 

13.4.2. Highest grade option: The right to choose the higher grade from among two exam sittings taken by the student.
 
13.5. Addressing the need for extended studies:
 
13.5.1.  Extension of studies (if necessary) without additional fees: Students who have completed a cumulative reserve service of at least 84 days during the two semesters of the 2025-2026 academic year will be entitled to extend their studies by two semesters without incurring any additional tuition fees. This provision will be updated in the university’s tuition billing mechanism to ensure that no extra charges are applied due to the study extension.

 

14. Accommodations for Group 4 

 

14.1. All existing accommodations provided under the university’s standard reservist regulations, student rights policies, and Section 10 above, as well as all accommodations for Group 1 (as stated in Section 11 above), Group 2 (as stated in Section 12 above), and Group 3 (as stated in Section 13 above).
14.2. Completion of coursework following reserve service: For computer science students — individual or small-group tutoring.
14.3. Advisor/mentor: The university will provide each student with a designated advisor for the entire duration of their studies until the completion of their degree. The advisor will assist the student in planning their academic track, addressing needs that may arise over the course of their studies, formulating personal accommodations, and related matters. Advisors will be appointed from among the reserve coordinators in each school. Students will be referred to them via the student administration coordinator.
14.4. Academic tutoring hours: To the extent possible (given that a significant portion of the tutors are also regularly called up for reserve duty), the university will provide students with free academic tutoring hours each semester until the completion of their degree.

 


15. Accommodations for graduate programs: Individual or group tutoring will not be provided in graduate programs. If necessary, students may contact the Dean of Student Affairs to review and determine suitable accommodations as required.

 

 

Accommodations for career soldiers, defense establishment employees, and those wounded during the Swords of Iron War

 


  
16. As stated in the introduction to this document, the university has decided to expand the scope of assistance to include additional populations who have encountered academic and other difficulties due to the war, including the wounded (beyond what is outlined in this document), the families of the wounded, the fallen, and the hostages; students serving as career soldiers or in the defense establishment (beyond those serving in designated forward units, as mentioned above); “Atuda” students called up for temporary regular service; members of the rescue and medical forces; and students who are partners (married or in a recognized domestic partnership) of career solders or defense establishment employees and are parents of young children. 
All those mentioned above are encouraged to contact their track coordinators in the student administration offices along with the appropriate documentation to request accommodations similar to those offered to reservists. Each request will be considered seriously and with the sincere intention to provide as much individualized support as possible. 

 

17. Accommodations for students in practical training programs, especially in the medical professions:
17.1. Accommodations and make-up options for students in practical training in non-medical professions will be determined at a later date by the institutions, in accordance with the requirements of each field.

 


   
Additional accommodations and provisions 

 

 

18. This year, too, Reichman University will implement an extension of its protocols and accommodations, in coordination with the Student Union. Following the Student Union’s request and the approval of the Council for Higher Education to permit institutions to offer additional accommodations, Reichman University has decided to introduce further measures to support reservists from two specific groups:

18.1. Students enrolled in double major undergraduate programs (law and business, law and government, law and psychology, business and psychology) (hereinafter referred to as “double major undergraduate students”)
18.2. Students who have already utilized the maximum number of CHE credits for reserve soldiers in the 2024-2025 academic year and are also performing significant reserve service in the 2025-2026 academic year

 

19. Double major undergraduate students:

19.1. As study requirements for double major undergraduate programs are 150% of those required for a regular degree, these students will be eligible for a proportional credit exemption, up to 150% of the maximum credit exemption under their accumulated or future entitlements, in accordance with the original provisions. The exemption will be distributed between each of the two-degree programs, ensuring that the credit exemption for each individual degree does not exceed 100% of the maximum exemption approved by the CHE for standard undergraduate programs. As with the regular provisions, the exemption applies only to non-mandatory courses (electives, general courses, and other courses approved by the university). This exemption can be utilized throughout the entire duration of the degree.

19.2. For clarification, these provisions do not apply to students enrolled in dual-track programs that are not structured as a double major degree program.

 

20. Undergraduate students who have utilized the maximum number of CHE credits for reserve soldiers before the 2025-2026 academic year and are also performing significant reserve service in the 2025-2026 academic year

20.1. Undergraduate students who have exhausted the maximum number of CHE credits due to extended reserve service before the 2025-2026 academic year and have served additional significant duty in the 2025-2026 academic year will be eligible for additional credits for 2025-2026 beyond the CHE maximum, as follows:

20.1.1. Reserve service of at least 35 days (per semester) — entitlement to 2 credits

 


OR

 

20.1.2. Reserve service of at least 50 days (over the entire academic year) — entitlement to 4 credits

20.2. Students belonging to this group who served in combat units may submit an individual request to the Dean of Student Affairs for up to 2 additional credits.  This addition can only be granted once per degree.

20.3. Double major undergraduate students who are eligible for credits under both Section 19 (double major undergraduate students) and Section 20 (significant reserve service in 2025-2026 after having utilized the maximum CHE credits for reservists in previous years) may choose one of these entitlements, but cannot receive additional credits under both sections.

 

21. Graduate degree students who have exhausted the maximum CHE credits for graduate student reservists in the 2024-2025 academic year and are also performing significant reserve service in the 2025-2026 academic year may submit an individual request to the Dean of Student Affairs for up to 2 additional credits.

 

 

Important notes

 

 

22. The provisions outlined here and in the standard reservist provisions are the maximum accommodations available. The decision to utilize these accommodations, to what extent, and in which of the approved courses rests with the student. It is advised to exercise discretion when applying these accommodations, as an excessive number of exemptions on a transcript may be viewed negatively by employers or graduate programs.

 


23. The courses eligible for reserve service credits and alternative assessments are determined by each individual school, at its discretion, provided that students are able to fully exercise their rights. Courses in which alternative assessments will be possible will be announced up to a month before the end of the semester. These decisions are final and cannot be appealed. 

 


24. For students in the accounting program, the use of additional reserve service credits under these provisions is subject to the program requirements, which will be published by the Student Administration Office.

 

 

Additional accommodations for the period of Operation Roaring Lion, or until further notice:

  1. For the purpose of determining eligibility for accommodations in the second semester, reserve and career service days will be counted from the outbreak of the war (February 28), rather than from the start of the second semester.
  2. Students serving in the reserves may choose whether to count their service days between February 28 and March 15 toward either the first or the second semester. 
  3. To facilitate a gradual return to campus, students who performed significant reserve duty during Operation Roaring Lion will be granted an exemption from attendance requirements during the first week after completing their service.
  4. Students who meet the required number of reserve service days for Group 3 (more than 35 days) will be eligible to receive extra time and the “higher of the two grades” option for first-semester second exam sittings (Moed Bet), even if they were not eligible for Group 3 provisions during the first semester.
  5. Until further notice, these reserve-duty accommodations will apply to students serving as career soldiers and in the security forces for service performed during Roaring Lion (from Saturday, February 28, 2026), without the need to provide confirmation of service days.

 

 

Reichman University extends its profound appreciation to all students who serve in defense of the nation, at great risk and sacrifice.

 

We are proud of each and every one of you and wish you a good and quiet year.
 


Prof. Boaz Ganor, President
Prof. Amnon Lehavi, Provost
Dr. Ayelet Ben Ezer Gelbard, CEO & Vice President