Youngstown Daily Legal News

Legislation would require policy for awarding academic credit to veterans

TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: March 12, 2013

A new Senate bill has been drafted to enhance support and services for veterans at state institutions of higher education. It would require each school to develop a policy for awarding academic credit to veterans for training received in the military.

Rep. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, the sponsor of Senate Bill 13 described the measure as a “critical first step in ensuring that Ohio’s veterans have the educational and professional resources that will allow for veterans to have an easier transition from military service to the workforce.”

The proposal would set new mandates for the chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, the board of trustees of each state institution and the county veterans services commission in each county where an applicable school is located.

“... the intent of SB 13 is simple: to support veterans by expanding both academic and employment opportunities,” Gentile said.

“SB 13 establishes a standardized system in which to award academic credit for veterans who have taken coursework or received specialized training while in the armed forces. In doing so, this would prevent veterans from having to take duplicate coursework once they enroll at a public two-year or four-year institution while also allowing veterans to focus on the specific classes that are better equipped to address their academic and professional needs.”

Gentile acknowledged that some universities already have taken the initiative to address the unique situation of veterans.

“Many of Ohio’s public two-year and four-year colleges and universities are already doing a great job of incorporating such a system right now. We simply want to make such a system a part of Ohio law to emphasize our support of and dedication to our veterans,” he said.

Gentile went on to note the challenges some veterans face in returning to the classroom.

“Some may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, some veterans may have never attended a college class before. By recognizing the unique challenges veterans face and by utilizing existing resources, SB 13 calls for at least one staff member at each two-year or four-year college or university to be liaison contacts for student veterans,” he said.

In addition, the bill calls for the establishment of a program at each public institution that connects veteran students with alumni and prospective employers.

“Such a program would further assist veteran students in locating employment opportunities while making contacts in a specific industry. For example, the 30th Senate District is ground zero for the oil and gas boom (and) this legislation would make it easier for veterans to take coursework and receive training in an industry that is growing rapidly and where employment opportunities will be significant,” Gentile said.

SB 13 has garnered support from Democratic Sens. Edna Brown, Capri Cafaro, Eric Kearney, Tom Sawyer, Joe Schiavoni, Michael Skindell, Shirley Smith, Charleta Tavares and Nina Turner.

The bill has not been scheduled for additional hearings.

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