Update: What we can do to help our military

Yesterday I posted regarding something we could all do for our servicemen and women: Call at least one university or college administrator and ask: "How are you responding to the needs of students who may have special problems or needs as a result of their military service?"

I mentioned the returning serviceman in Texas who was denied an in-state tuition rate by a Texas community college because he had spent too much time out-of-state (Two tours of duty in Iraq with the Marines).

And there was a Betsy Newmark, guest blogging at Michelle Malkin, post concerning the extraordinary problems a university student experienced at his school when his National Guard unit was called to active duty, first in New York City after 9/11 and later in Iraq.

Things eventually worked out for both servicemen, thanks in the Marine's case to media attention, and in the soldier's case to his persistence and his university president's intervention.

But how to make sure student/military people don't have to face the needless problems those servicemen faced?

One solution the soldier and Betsy suggested: Assign a kind of ombudsman on campus to advocate for students with military backgrounds.

Another was that we each call or e-mail those administrators today. I said, "Let me know what happens. I'll update readers."

Well, here's what happened today.

I heard from people all over the country.

Their experiences?

As you would guess, it varied from "The person didn't seem to know what I was talking about" to "They said they have someone doing that."

One e-mail came from John Byrnes, the soldier/student Betsy told us about. He wrote in part:

I'm trying to figure out a good way to maximize efficiency on this. The obvious answer is some sort of organization.

Thank you for your service, John. And you're right. I'll get back to that in a minute.

Then there was this e-mail:

In California, military stationed here from other states pay tuition at the out-of-state rate, while illegal immigrants pay at the in-state rate. Somehow, the word "injustice" seems woefully inadequate. I doubt California is the only state giving preferential treatment to illegals while sticking it to our military, but of course the problem is bigger here. Having all military pay the in-state rate wherever they are stationed would be the right answer. And stopping subsidies of illegal activities would be a common sense approach reducing incentives to illegal immigration.

I hope California-based military will tell us more about the situation there. It would also be important to hear from university administrators and state legislatures there.

Illegals getting in-state tuition rates? Our military stationed there being denied in-state tuition rates? Who will stand for that?

As John Byrnes says, we need organization to help our student/military. And we need organization to pursue questions concerning the California in-state tuition situation. We need to be asking what's happening in other states.

So how to organize to keep the ball rolling and get the job done?

As so often when we think of helping the military, Mudville Gazette comes to mind. Let Mr. and Mrs. Greyhawk know what you think, especially how they might help as the organization John Byrnes talked about or ideas about who could set it up.

I can't for lots of reasons do it, not least because I don't have the experience to do what's needed.

What I will do is serve as a place where people can send e-mails that will get some attention. I'll stay in touch with John and pass things to him. I'll e-mail Betsy and ask if she will do an update post.

Finally, I'll report tomorrow on my phone call today to University of North Carolina System President Molly Broad's office.

Here's a quick summery: Helpful responses from administrators. Lots positive to report. This is a very informative site. Note especially how North Carolina treats for purposes of in-state tuition, military personnel assigned here and their dependents who reside with them.

When I read through the site, I was proud of the 'ol Tar Heel State.

I'll update tomorrow night.