Youngstown Daily Legal News

Bill would give veterans college credit for training done in military

TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: March 17, 2014

With the signing of legislation that revises the state’s occupational licensing law regarding military service members and veterans and a proposal to boost support and services for veterans at state institutions of higher education, Suzette Price says Ohioans are “well on our way of closing the gap to ensure our veterans become personally and professionally successful.”

Price, service director of the American Legion Department of Ohio, has joined a slate of university officials in backing Senate Bill 13.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, would require state institutions of higher education to develop a policy for awarding academic credit to veterans for training received while in the military.

The bill is before the Senate Public Safety, Local Government and Veterans Affairs committee.

“We believe that what is being proposed within SB 13 will serve to assist in increasing the success rate among the student veteran population within the great state of Ohio,” Price said in proponent testimony for the bill.

“Recent media (have) reported that the student veteran drop-out rate within the first year is 88 percent. Currently, research on the success rate of student veterans is minimal, at best, and most likely reflects a much lower percentage.”

However, Price noted that it may take years for the correct data and until the numbers are confirmed “we must continue to establish laws that serve to solve the problem.”

Under SB 13, the Ohio Board of Regents would collaborate with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services to develop a model for training counselors of student veterans at state institutions of higher education regarding the unique needs of and challenges faced by student veterans.

The Board of Regents would also facilitate regular statewide meetings for personnel at institutions of higher education who regularly provide services to student veterans.

The meetings would enable the personnel to discuss and develop best practices, exchange ideas and experiences, and hear presentations by individuals with generally-accepted expertise in subjects relevant to the needs of and challenges faced by student veterans.

The meetings would also help improve communications between institutions of higher education, military bases in the state, and veteran organizations to advance causes that benefit student veterans.

Price, who has given proponent testimony for the bill alongside officials from Ohio University, Hocking College and the University of Cincinnati, suggested adding another provision to the proposal.

“As a non-traditional student veteran who experienced first-hand all of the challenges outlined within SB 13, I would encourage an amendment to include the establishment of an on-campus veterans resource center,” she said.

“The benefits of a resource center is vital. We ask for this to be part of the bill because unfortunately some higher education campuses will only provide the minimal requirement as outlined. A veteran resource center is a safe place where student veterans can depend on others to understand what they may be experiencing and also promotes a continued environment of camaraderie.”

SB 13 has not been scheduled for additional hearings.

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