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
Text Box: It’s Not Too Late to Sign Up! The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Progress, Potential and Pitfalls ... What you Need to Know A free statewide conference on providing access to higher education for veterans and servicemembers in the 21st century November 10, 2009 8:00 a.m.—12:00 noon Kean University—Kean Hall, Room 127 Register now! To learn more, click here. Text Box: Dear Student Veterans and Supporters: Approximately 200 college administrators, state and federal policymakers, veterans and support agency representatives participated in the Operation College Promise kick-off event at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette yard—the first of 10 events scheduled over the next two years. The event was made possible with the generous support of the American Council on Education (ACE) and a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Welcoming remarks were offered by Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of the Trenton-based Thomas Edison State College. Dr. Pruitt noted that, “New Jersey’s state colleges and universities are honored to serve those who have served our country and that both Operation College Promise and this conference will better enable New Jersey’s colleges and universities to serve the unique needs of our veterans and their families.” The day included a keynote address by Major General Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General for the State of New Jersey National Guard, and a tireless advocate for unprecedented transition support services for our nation’s armed forces as they return to their civilian lives. “The nation has called upon our sons and daughters to defend this great nation and the freedoms that we all enjoy. Now more than ever, we must ensure that those servicemembers returning to our communities are afforded every opportunity to succeed. This program is yet another tool that the State of New Jersey is utilizing to embrace our veterans and their families, ensuring that we keep New Jersey strong now and in the future,” added Rieth. Consistent with the OCP objectives of providing outreach to student veterans and each of the state’s institutions of higher learning, the day-long conference offered interactive panel discussions on contemporary issues facing student veterans and college administrators alike, including the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill; transfer of military credits; traumatic brain injuries; and building military-friendly campuses. These conversations engaged state, county and independent college representatives in the type of candid idea-sharing intrinsic to establishing atmospheres for success on college campuses. All sectors of higher education participated, representing counties from Warren to Atlantic. Jim Selbe, Assistant Vice President at the American Council on Education (ACE) summed up the day’s activities with a national perspective, stating “The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities and its member presidents demonstrated insightful leadership in recognizing early on the need to prepare their campuses for the arrival of this latest generation of returning veterans.” “The American Council on Education was pleased to participate in this timely discussion, and we look forward to collaborating on the proposed solutions that are to follow,” he added. We heard you! Operation College Promise takes pride in the collaborative approach of our project and has asked all conference attendees at the September event to provide feedback for future workshops. We are pleased to report that the input received has been tremendously positive, with more than 95% either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the event. In addition, the comment section is currently being used in planning future agendas that respond directly to your requests. Keep them coming! On that note ... November is coming fast and many of you have asked for more, more and even more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill. On November 10, 2009 at Kean University, we hope to provide greater specifics and updates on this monumental and historical piece of legislation. Register now—seating is limited for this event and going fast! Coming in November ... OCP launches “Thank a Soldier Campaign”

National News

 

“Week of the Women Warriors”: Launch of Groundbreaking Report on Female Troops and Veterans; Newest Report on Women’s Unique and Urgent Service and Homecoming Challenges  (Published on Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (http://iava.org), October 14, 200)

Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, released its new issue report, “Women Warriors:  Supporting She ‘Who Has Borne the Battle,’” on the unique service and homecoming challenges facing female troops and veterans.  The report is the cornerstone of IAVA’s first annual “Week of the Women Warriors,” a multi-faceted effort to honor the courage and sacrifice of female servicemembers.  Read more, here.

 

Afghan Corruption Could Loom as Surge Factor (The Associated Press, October 13, 2009)

Rampant government corruption may derail the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan even if as many as 80,000 additional U.S. troops are sent to the war, the top military commander there has concluded, according to U.S. officials brief on his recommendations.  Read more, here.

 

Doors Open to Health Claims Tied to Agent Orange (New York Times, October 12, 2009)

Under rules proposed this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to add Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease and hairy-cell leukemia to the growing list of illnesses presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange, the toxic defoliant used widely in Vietnam.  Read more, here.

 

VA Tries to Remedy Delinquent Payments to Vets for College (Star Ledger, October 2, 2009)

Read more, here.
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OCP Member Spotlight

Elaine Gargiulo, NJCU

The 55th Annual Meeting

of the Independent College Fund of New Jersey

New Jersey and the New GI Bill:

The Yellow Ribbon Program at New Jersey’s Independent Colleges and Universities

October 29, 2009

9:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

 

Sheraton Meadowlands—East Rutherford, NJ

 

Interested?  Register here.

HISTORY invites you to participate in Thank a Veteran at Work 2009. Last year, our Take a Veteran to School Day program received a warm reception nationwide, linking veterans with young people in our communities and schools. Thank a Veteran at Work builds off that program, encouraging employers to take time out of the day to thank the many veterans in our workplaces. In 2009, Wednesday, November 11th is Veterans Day, the official day of appreciation for our veterans. Take the time to thank the veterans at your workplace on or around that day.

Major General Glenn K. Rieth, Adjutant General of the NJ Army National Guard and Wendy Lang, Coordinator, Operation College Promise at the September 15, 2009 Kick-off conference at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard.

To see more photos from the September 15th conference, click here.

New Jersey News

 

Vets Waiting for Education Benefits Will Get Emergency Funding (CNN.com, September 29, 2009)

A backlog in processing education benefits has forced the Department of Veterans Affairs to authorize millions of dollars in emergency funds for veterans who need the cash to pay for school.  Read more, here.

 

Colleges Try to Help Vets Re-Adjust to Civilian Life (Press of Atlantic City, September 21, 2009)

Last year, Charles Kern, a three-year Army veteran, juggled a 30-hour work week at Shore Toyota in Mays Landing to help pay his school fees at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.  Read more, here.

 

On Campus

 

Montclarion Highlights Students Who Have Served — “Coming Home—8 Years Later”, October 8, 2009.  Yesterday marked eight years of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.  Almost 100 veterans study at Montclair State University, and nine of them willingly shared their experiences, thoughts and stories of their journey overseas, and the transition coming home.  Read more, here.

A History-Making Event

 

The commissioning of USS New York on November 7, 2009 will mark a significant milestone with its entry to the U.S. Navy fleet and an opportunity to show appreciation to the men and women who have chosen to go in harm’s way to protect and defend the American way of life.

 

Learn more here.