Florida Colleges Support Resident Status for Veterans

Dr. Donal O’Shea, president of New College of Florida, and other members of the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities (FACU), unanimously approved a resolution on January 14 that commends military veterans for their service and endorses Florida Senate Bill 84.
The bill would grant resident status for tuition purposes and waive out-of-state fees for veterans of the United States’ Armed Forces, including National Guard and reserve units. Twenty other states have passed similar legislation.
FACU represents 70 Florida colleges and universities, public and private. The resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, recognizing the contributions of those who served our country in defense of our freedom, the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities – the only organization in the state that represents all of Florida’s community and state colleges, state universities and private, independent colleges and universities – supports the professional development and advancement of servicemen and women in our state; and
WHEREAS, each year over 30,000 servicemen and women and their families attend Florida colleges and universities and claim veterans benefits; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has the third largest population of veterans in theUnited States with more than 1.6 million veterans – 12 percent of our state’s population over the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, our colleges and universities are opening our doors welcoming veterans home and improving services to meet the unique needs they present; and
WHEREAS, the Association supports Florida Senate Bill 84 and its provision to grant resident status for tuition purposes for veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the National Guard and reserve components joining 20 other states in the Union who have passed similar legislation; and
WHEREAS, the Association supports giving veterans broader educational choices that address their specific needs and helps ease their transition into civilian life afforded by the proposed G.I. Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013 that grants in-state resident tuition at public colleges and universities.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities hereby commends the contributions of active duty servicemen and women and veterans of the Armed Forces and declares our support for their pursuit of higher education in Florida.
ADOPTED this 14th day of January, 2014, by unanimous action of the Association and its Board of Directors.