Student Tribune
Chancellor Launches SUNY Veteran and Military Action Council, Eric Wheeler Named to Council
SUNY Veteran and Military Action Council to Help Expand Access and
Lower Cost to a College Education for All Military-Connected
Students
As we honored our servicemen and women on Veterans Day, State University of
New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced the formation of the SUNY Veteran
and Military Action Council (VMAC). Co-chaired by University at Albany
President Havidán Rodríguez and Finger Lakes Community College President Robert
Nye, the Council will work directly with college leaders, elected officials,
and state agencies to implement a series of policy shifts that increase access
and improve the educational experience for all current and prospective
military-connected students.
The council will make SUNY the most inclusive system for military-connected
individuals in the nation, starting with their work to enact the following
changes by fall of 2021:
- Program to close a key gap in tuition assistance for all Active Military,
Reserve, National Guard, specifically reducing tuition to $250 per credit
military-connected students. Overall, the goal of VMAC would be to save
military-connected students $5,000 over the course of four years. Studies have
shown that closing the tuition gaps for active servicemembers, veterans, and
their families has increased overall enrollment in college. For example, at
SUNY Empire State College where the campus expanded its fee waivers for the
spouses of all veterans, enrollment rose more than 50 percent over the prior
year period.
- Releasing comprehensive implementation strategies to transfer military
service to college credit at all SUNY schools.
- Establishing priority registration for all military-connected students.
"These heroes who have put their lives on the line for this country deserve
all the assistance we can provide to make it possible to pursue a higher
education and transition to their next career," said Chancellor
Malatras. "Our new Veteran and Military Action Council include
professionals who understand the unique needs of student active service members
and veterans, some of them being veterans themselves serving our country. They
will work collaboratively with colleges, elected officials, and state agencies
to reduce the cost of tuition for veterans, count military service for college
credit, and reduce barriers for veterans' families. We want to make SUNY the
most inclusive system of higher education for these heroes and their
families."
University at Albany President and SUNY Veteran and Military
Advisory Council Co-Chair Havidán Rodríguez said, "My service in the
Air Force was a critical part of shaping the person I am today--including
making it possible for me to complete my undergraduate degree. I am honored to
be a part of this new Council, and thank Chancellor Malatras for ensuring our
veterans have the benefit of a life-changing education worthy of the selfless
sacrifices they make on our behalf every single day."
Finger Lakes Community College President and SUNY Veteran and
Military Advisory Council Co-Chair Robert Nye said, "Our military and
veteran students have much to offer our institutions and communities. I am
proud to be part of a team seeking more ways to make them feel welcome and to
foster their academic and personal success."
Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett
said, "New York is home to among the greatest number of veterans of
any state in the country. As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veteran's
Affairs, one of my biggest priorities has been to create pathways for our
veterans and military families to successfully transition from service,
empowering them to utilize their skills and training to engage with their
communities and grow our economy. I applaud Chancellor Malatras and SUNY
leaders for taking this very important step forward on behalf of those who have
selflessly served our country."
NY Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chair John Brooks said,
"On this day, we pause to recognize those who have served our country
in the most honorable way, as veterans of our armed services. These men and
women have committed themselves to safeguarding the freedoms that we as
Americans enjoy. I commend Chancellor Malatras for addressing the unique needs
of our veterans, as well as our active military and their families by providing
an even greater opportunity to earn an excellent college education to pursue
their dreams."
SUNY Veteran and Military Advisory Committee Members
Photos are available online here for the committee members, which include:
- Co-Chair Havidán Rodríguez, President, University at
Albany
- Co-Chair Robert Nye, President, Finger Lakes Community
College
- Executive Director Aaron Gladd, Chief of Staff, SUNY
System Administration
- Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, Chief of Staff, Buffalo State
College
- Desiree Drindak, Director for the Office of Veteran and
Military Education, SUNY Empire State College
- Eric Farina, Director Veteran Affairs, Farmingdale State
College
- Patrick Massaro, Director of the CREST Center and Veteran
Coordinator, SUNY Canton
- Shannon O'Neil, College Director of Veterans Affairs,
Suffolk Community College
- Diana Pasterchick, Coordinator of Veterans and Military
Affairs, SUNY System Administration
- Benjamin Pomerance, Deputy Director of Program
Development, New York State Division of Veteran Services
- Dan Ryan, Director, Veteran Services, University of
Buffalo
- Eric Wheeler, Asst. Director, Veterans Services, Monroe
Community College
Yule, Rosanna
Government and Community Relations
11/12/2020