Courtesy of Congressman Jimmy Panetta:
This week, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Resource Center Act. The legislation authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide federal grants to public universities to establish, maintain, and provide services at Veterans Resource Centers on campuses. Moreover, it incentivizes priority registration for veteran and military-connected students. The bill is cosponsored by Republican co-lead, Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE).
The legislation would empower universities to establish support centers, modeled after the proven success of the California State University system’s Veteran Success Centers. The California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Veterans Resource Center provides veteran and military-connected students a dedicated space to access information on campus resources, veteran benefits, Veteran Service Organizations, and social and study opportunities.
“Federal tuition support under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill expires after three years, pressuring veteran students to complete their degrees early. In addition, many veteran students are older than their classmates and may face unique responsibilities outside the classroom, including childcare and service-related healthcare concerns. This bill will help our veterans choose classes that fit their personal needs allowing them to graduate on time, while simultaneously providing them social and educational support,” said Congressman Panetta. “While these support resources are utilized throughout the California State University system, including here at home at CSUMB, I look forward to expanding this service to universities and veterans across the country.”
“A critical piece of CSUMB’s vision statement is our commitment to provide a rich living and learning environment for all of the diverse people of California. We greatly value the uniquely diverse experiences and backgrounds that our military-connected students bring to our classrooms and to our community,” said CSUMB President, Eduardo M. Ochoa. “The Veterans Resource Center Act will further increase CSUMB’s, and the entire CSU system’s, ability to support our student veterans and military-connected students to ensure resources are available to help them excel in their academic endeavors.”
