Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) and the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs hosted a conference this afternoon at the Binghamton University Downtown Center for regional colleges and universities on "Veteran Friendly Campuses." The event was to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by veterans in higher education and discuss the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which took effect on August 1, 2009. Professionals from 9 regional colleges and universities, as well as the Broome-Tioga and Chenango, Otsego, Delaware Workforce Investment Boards attended the event.

"This is an important step in making our campuses better for those men and women who have given so much," said Assemblywoman Lupardo, a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Women Veterans. "This was an opportunity for higher education professionals to meet with representatives from the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs and to speak with other administrators about veteran related issues in higher education. Together, we can limit the obstacles facing veterans and ensure that they achieve success in our colleges and universities."

Among the student population, veterans experience a high drop-out rate despite strong tuition assistance. This high rate of failure to retain former military can be attributed in great part to lack of a support system on campus to help veterans transition from military to student life. Many veterans experience feelings of alienation from the rest of the student population and they are often unaware of the full range of benefits to which they are entitled.

Additionally, a majority of colleges and universities do not yet have the tools in place to effectively implement the Post 9/11 GI Bill which took effect August 1, 2009. According to the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs, the Veterans’ Administration projects a 20 percent increase in the number of veterans who will use GI benefits for education in the coming academic year.

New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs staff participating in the event included: Col. James McDonough, Director; Andy Davis, Training Coordinator, NYS Division of Veterans’ Affairs; and, Ed Simmons, Deputy Director for the Western Region. For additional information on veterans’ benefits in New York, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, please visit www.veterans.ny.gov or call (888) 838-7697.