Reilee Brown: MJC has become unfriendly to veterans
Re “MJC disputes ex-worker’s worries on veterans” (Page 3A, May 16): For the last two years I have participated in the work-study program through the Veterans Resource Center on the East Campus of Modesto Junior College. Great strides have been made due to Veteran Center staff – program specialist Michael Howen and certifying official Alberto Aranda, among others.
Aranda was relieved of his position on May 5. Priority registration for veterans began May 8. This left veteran students without a certifying official.
The school president had Michael send out an email claiming “there is a district certifying official on campus.” I was at MJC for the entire day May 10 and there was no certifying official on campus.
This worries me because either school officials are lying or they were referring to Michael as a certifying official, which is not true. He has no formal training and only understands a small portion of the certification process that approves benefits for veterans. Many veterans are having to pay out of pocket for fall classes or will be unable to receive VA payments for the summer. MJC has become an unfriendly environment for veterans.
Do what you can to help us shed light on the situation at MJC.
Reilee Brown, Modesto
This story was originally published May 18, 2017 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Reilee Brown: MJC has become unfriendly to veterans."