Spring Break
CSUs save seats for veterans, active duty members
Bianca deCastro
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
The California State University announced on Nov. 11 that it will be guaranteeing admission to 115 active duty and veteran military members.
The number of military men and women who are admitted will be equally divided among the 23 CSU colleges, totaling about five enrollments per university, said Erik Fallis, media relations specialist for the California State University system.
At the wake of an impacted number of applicants to the CSU system, the 115 new students may slightly affect the already tight enrollment conditions.
"(The service members) will have to go through normal admission processes," said Andrei Ingalla, special programs coordinator for SJSU.
Fallis said military members of the new program would be part of the total number of students admitted to a CSU, only they have reserved seats already. Adding to the already low admission rates, however, the number of program enrollees is too small to make a significant difference.
"It is such a small number compared to the large number of applicants every year," Fallis said.
The program, which will begin in the Fall 2009 semester, is in addition to current benefits, such as the G.I. Bill, which benefits veterans wishing to pursue an education and programs already being offered such as Troops to College, offering educational opportunities and assistance to veteran and active duty military members.
"This will not impact veterans' priority admission to the CSUs," Fallis said. "It is different criteria worked out with the military command."
As veterans and active duty military members have provided a great service to the U.S. by protecting the country, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger felt it is a matter of importance to secure higher education access for military service members.
"The sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces have made for our freedom truly earn them a place of honor in California and a seat in our state's great colleges and universities," Schwarzenegger said, according to the CSU Web site. "It is crucial that our dedicated service members have increased access to higher education."
In a time when the country's economic crisis is affecting many people, including veterans, school may seem to be a logical first choice.
"In financial times like this, education is always a good step to take, a good choice," Ingalla said.
Pat Lopes Harris, media relations specialist for SJSU, agreed that education has benefits in the time of such a difficult job market.
"I think that veterans who choose to go to college not only make a choice that is good for them, but good for our country. Lessons learned in the military and combining them academically help them become outstanding citizens. The government made it clear that providing a college education to our veterans is a paramount importance."
The number of military men and women who are admitted will be equally divided among the 23 CSU colleges, totaling about five enrollments per university, said Erik Fallis, media relations specialist for the California State University system.
At the wake of an impacted number of applicants to the CSU system, the 115 new students may slightly affect the already tight enrollment conditions.
"(The service members) will have to go through normal admission processes," said Andrei Ingalla, special programs coordinator for SJSU.
Fallis said military members of the new program would be part of the total number of students admitted to a CSU, only they have reserved seats already. Adding to the already low admission rates, however, the number of program enrollees is too small to make a significant difference.
"It is such a small number compared to the large number of applicants every year," Fallis said.
The program, which will begin in the Fall 2009 semester, is in addition to current benefits, such as the G.I. Bill, which benefits veterans wishing to pursue an education and programs already being offered such as Troops to College, offering educational opportunities and assistance to veteran and active duty military members.
"This will not impact veterans' priority admission to the CSUs," Fallis said. "It is different criteria worked out with the military command."
As veterans and active duty military members have provided a great service to the U.S. by protecting the country, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger felt it is a matter of importance to secure higher education access for military service members.
"The sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces have made for our freedom truly earn them a place of honor in California and a seat in our state's great colleges and universities," Schwarzenegger said, according to the CSU Web site. "It is crucial that our dedicated service members have increased access to higher education."
In a time when the country's economic crisis is affecting many people, including veterans, school may seem to be a logical first choice.
"In financial times like this, education is always a good step to take, a good choice," Ingalla said.
Pat Lopes Harris, media relations specialist for SJSU, agreed that education has benefits in the time of such a difficult job market.
"I think that veterans who choose to go to college not only make a choice that is good for them, but good for our country. Lessons learned in the military and combining them academically help them become outstanding citizens. The government made it clear that providing a college education to our veterans is a paramount importance."
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