BILL REQ. #:  S-0981.1 

Read first time 02/01/11.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to assistance for student veterans at institutions of higher education; adding a new section to chapter 28B.35 RCW; and making appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.35 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Currently, more than two million veterans are eligible to enroll full time in colleges across the country, however, many are not fully accessing their veterans' educational benefits. Due to time restrictions on these benefits, it is essential that colleges coordinate services that allow veterans to enroll and complete their degrees in a timely manner. A coalition has been formed in Washington state to bring together community colleges and a public university in regional capacity to meet the needs of student veterans and to benefit veterans in ways including a more seamless transition from community colleges to four-year institutions of higher education.
     (2) Western Washington University shall coordinate a program that leverages leadership of returning veterans. Olympic College, Everett Community College, Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College, and Western Washington University are the participating institutions.
     (3) As a central resource, Western Washington University is responsible for, but not limited to:
     (a) Providing leadership opportunities for interested veterans that draw upon veterans' military experiences;
     (b) Identifying resources and pooling efforts among veterans to address barriers to education such as child care and transportation, and to create connections among student veterans;
     (c) Reviewing and revising policies to improve the transfer experience, with particular emphasis on reducing barriers unique to student veterans, including difficulties encountered by student veterans with mixed federal veterans' administration benefits and state financial aid awards;
     (d) Developing partnerships between the institutions and outside agencies to bridge veteran support and services;
     (e) Providing training for certifying officers on changes to benefits processing and relevant laws;
     (f) Providing training to faculty and staff on student veteran-related issues; and
     (g) Providing training for faculty, staff, and student peer volunteers.
     (4) Each participating institution under subsection (2) of this section should endeavor to:
     (a) Create a full-time dedicated veterans' coordinator or certifying official;
     (b) Create a dedicated veterans' office presence, both in-person and online, to provide a place for veterans to meet, study, and connect with other students who share in their transitional challenges returning to civilian life and to access referral information;
     (c) Collaborate with student representatives from organizations and clubs to promote programs that will engage and support veterans and help in the transition from military to civilian life;
     (d) Provide direct assistance in areas such as academic advising, career planning, tutorial services, financial literacy, and services tailored to meet veteran's individual needs such as counseling and disability services.
     (5) Western Washington University shall allocate funds to the participating institutions based on the number of veterans receiving services at the institution.
     (6) Western Washington University, with input from the participating institutions, shall report by November 1st of even-numbered years to appropriate committees of the legislature on outcomes of the program in this section, including:
     (a) The change in numbers of student veterans transferring from two-year to four-year institutions;
     (b) The change in numbers of student veterans graduating, and of those graduating in a timely manner;
     (c) Any increased opportunities for student veterans to be engaged in leadership activities and their preparedness to use leadership skills in a nonmilitary setting;
     (d) Whether student veterans exhibit a stronger connectedness with institutions and other veterans through mentoring, leadership opportunities, and resource sharing;
     (e) Any improved access to services and resources through partnerships, collaborative efforts, and direct assistance;
     (f) Enhanced knowledge for service providers, faculty, and staff on each campus; and
     (g) The improvements in basic infrastructure needs at individual campuses.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The sum of eight hundred seventy-two thousand seven hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, from the general fund to Western Washington University for the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of one million ninety-seven thousand five hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, from the general fund to Western Washington University for the purposes of this act.