Only a few weeks into the war in Iraq, Penn State is seeing a drop in the number of students being called to active military duty.

During the spring semester, 196 students withdrew from classes to serve in the military. Only two students withdrew in the past week, compared to the weeks leading up to the declaration of war when the Office of the Registrar was seeing as many as 10 students per day initiating military withdrawal procedures.

"The numbers are definitely way down," said Kaye Keith, administrative assistant to the registrar. "I am much relieved for the kids' sake. Two [withdrawals] in one week is more the norm."

Although the withdrawals are less frequent, officials are not ready to say that they have seen the last military withdrawal this semester.

"Yes, it has slowed down slightly, but you never know what could happen next week," Allison Kessler, university spokeswoman, said.

The total number of withdrawals since Sept. 11, 2001, stands at 280 students.

Military withdrawals have been continual since then, with the bulk of them happening in December 2002.

The most recent comparable situation was the first Gulf War, when activations occurred in November and December 1990 and the war was over by March 1991, Keith said.

"This is the highest number of student call-ups in recent memory," Tysen Kendig, university spokesman, said.

The current policy for military withdrawal went on the books in 1991 with Operation Desert Storm. This policy ensures ease in leaving and re-enrolling at Penn State. It includes early registration preference, guaranteed return to their campus and major and refund of tuition, Keith said.