Urge Universities to Provide Education Opportunities for Servicemembers

* Congressman John Adler*
* Representing New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District*
* *
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: *
June 4, 2009
*MEDIA CONTACT: *Kathryn Prael
202-225-4765 or 202-329-7341
* *
*Congressman Adler Introduces House Resolution to Urge Universities to
Provide Education Opportunities for Servicemembers *
*Praises Rutgers University for its efforts to support military and veterans
*
* *
Washington, DC - Congressman John Adler introduced a bipartisan resolution
this week urging universities nationwide to seek membership in the
Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) Consortium. The Consortium allows
service members to enroll in a participating school and continue their
bachelor and graduate-level degree programs on school campuses, military
installations, and armories within the United States and overseas. In New
Jersey, Rutgers University joined the program in April, a few months after
Congressman Adler first urged the university to participate.
 
 
"We need to increase education opportunities for our servicemembers and
returning veterans," said Congressman Adler, a member of the House Veterans
Affairs Committee. "I urge universities across the country to join this
program and support our brave military men and women."
 
 
Servicemembers face numerous challenges in their pursuit of higher
education, either while they are still on active duty or a newly-returned
veteran. Oftentimes, these brave men and women have trouble attaining
college degrees because of their frequent relocations.
 
 
Bryan Adams, a Purple Heart recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom and the
president of Veterans for Education said, "The Servicemembers Opportunity
College Consortium is going to help ease the transition from combat to
college and give our veterans a head start towards attaining a positive
future for themselves and their families. I am thankful Congressman Adler
has initiated this bill and grateful that he has taken the time to listen to
our concerns and make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of
thousands of veterans."
 
 
Congressman Adler introduced a resolution encouraging each institution of
higher education in the country to seek membership in the SOC Consortium. In
addition, he praised Rutgers University for joining the Consortium in April.
Congressman Adler introduced a similar resolution in the State Senate and
urged Rutgers University to seek membership last September.
 
 
Currently, the SOC Consortium includes more than 1,800 colleges and
universities. To ensure that servicemembers have greater access to
undergraduate educational opportunities, the SOC Consortium maintains
flexibility in university programs and procedures, especially in admissions
and credit transfer.
 
 
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Kathryn Prael
Communications Director
Office of Congressman John Adler (NJ-03)
Main Office: 202.225.4765
Direct Line: 202.226.9201
Cell: 202.329.7341
http://adler.house.gov