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OCP Mail Call The E-newsletter of Operation College Promise www.operationcollegepromise.com November 2010 |
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Operation College Promise is funded in part through a grant from the American Council on Education & the Wal-Mart Foundation Operation College Promise A NJ Association of State Colleges & Universities Initiative 150 West State Street Trenton, New Jersey 08608 609-989-1100 Director of Programs and Policy Analysis – Wendy Lang |
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Dear Friends and Supporters: OCP and the New Jersey State Senate have teamed up to establish the nation’s first “Veterans Education Awareness Week” from November 13-19, 2011. The designation will encourage all to help spread the word on educational benefits and support veterans and servicemembers as they pursue a college degree. The measure was sponsored by Senator Diane Allen and Senator Jim Beach. Go to the OCP website for more information. We’d like to express our appreciation to the Senate and the Legislative Staff for making this happen! Post-9/11 GI Bill Updates Speaking of educational benefits, changes made to the Post-9/11 GI Bill—or “Post-9/11 2.0” are now fully in effect. There are a variety of new provisions including expanded eligibility for members of the National Guard under Title 32 orders and reimbursement of fees for national exams, on-the-job and apprenticeship training, correspondence training, and non-college degree programs. Additionally, annual tuition rates are now capped at $17,500. For a complete list of changes, go here. 11-11-11 Update OCP is gearing up for a great 11-11-11 with events at partner schools across the country. The first nationwide “Roll Call” is set to take place at 170 institutions in 50 states including Montclair State University, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Rowan University, William Paterson University, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Texas A&M University, and Texas State University. This event recognizes Remembrance Day, the 10th year of Post-9/11 combat. Participating schools will read the names of the more than 6,000 servicemembers who have died in the major theaters of operation—Iraq and Afghanistan as of September 25, 2001. For a complete list of participating schools or to volunteer as a reader, go to http://va.eke.edu/rollcall. If you’re participating, please be sure to send us pictures for the next newsletter. Other Events Montclair State University: Kudos to Denise Rodak and MSU for bringing Eric Greitens, CEO of The Mission Continues (TMC) and author of The Heart and the Fist to campus. Eric gave an incredibly inspiring presentation to a full house of students, staff and community members at Kasser Theater. Congratulations to Eric for receiving the 2011 Social Venture Network Conference Innovation Award. OCP is looking forward to working with TMC on community projects to unite the military and civilian campus communities. See photos from this event, here. Richard Stockton College of New Jersey/University of North Carolina-Charlotte—Congratulations to both campuses on holding screenings of Warrior Champions. UNC combined this event with the very innovative “From Soldier to Veterans Art Show.” Stockton also hosted the Marines for a day of high flying action. Major Nathan Hoff and Captain Shaun Vacher collaborated with OCP and the Stockton SVO to bring the USMC Flight Orientation Program to campus. Students and staff joined the Marines for a chance to show off their strength in the pull-up contest and earn a ride over the beautiful campus. We’re still talking about the 60-degree bank turns. Amazing! See pictures, here. Happy Veterans Day and Remembrance Day to All and a very happy 236th Birthday |
