Veterans attending City College can expect improved benefits from a revised policy expected to pass later this month, according to college officials.

Currently, City College policy requires at least 45 units to be completed on campus for an associate’s degree.

If approved by the Board of Trustees, the new policy will require only 15 units of curriculum be completed on campus by students.

This is a mandate imposed by the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium, an organization that helps veterans navigate between military branches and academic institutions.

This means that more students will be able to take advantage of distance learning and will not have to physically attend classes for the better part of their course load.

The new residency requirement will apply to all students, but is especially helpful for service members seeking a college degree.

If called to duty, veterans will therefore be able to continue their education or even begin it while stationed elsewhere.

As part of the expanded policy, a service member’s training will be acknowledged academically. Up until now, veterans could only receive physical education credits for their military experience.

But that could change as soon as Fall 2009.

The Servicemembers Consortium now recognizes City College as compliant with its program and will assist individuals with the accreditation process.

Keith McLellan, dean of student affairs, will translate what kinds of military experience will translate to academic credit. McLellan recommends that veterans speak with an academic counselor about what kinds of experience will transfer into college credit.

“It’s good they’re getting the SOC,” said Victor Farley, a veteran and part time student.

“I have dealt with some community colleges in San Diego that do not accept the SOC or they just give you credit for physical fitness or health.

“The universities are all the same way as well, unless you go to a college that specializes in military history or warfare – they might give you more credit,” Farley said.

Superintendent-President Andreea Serban wrote in an e-mail that until now, City College “policies were such that veterans were not given appropriate credit for military experience.”

That was due in part to how the district policies and district administrative procedures were set up.

Last year former President George W. Bush signed into law his last war-spending bill. It provided, among other things, expansion of veteran educational benefits for those who’ve served after Sept. 11, 2001, effective this year.

Serban noted that due to the expanded policy, City College expects enrollment of veterans to more than double.

That figure is higher than the national average, according to Dr. Kathy Snead of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges in Washington, D.C.

Snead said the director of educational benefits at the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs anticipates a nationwide increase in veteran enrollment of 20 to 25 percent.

The Academic Senate reviewed and approved the proposal on Feb. 11. The proposal was moved to the Educational Policies Committee, where it was also approved, but with changes.

The Board of Trustees will vote on the proposal in their next regular meeting on March 26.

The policy revision is part of City College’s attempt to be better recognized as what academic advisor Magdelana Torres called “a veteran friendly school.”

“I definitely agree with that,” said Robert Gomez, a 26-year-old philosophy major and Iraqi War veteran.

Student veterans interested in learning more about the policy should visit City College’s Veterans Affairs website.