It's time to help called-up military members by supporting SB-1557

Can we get a shout-out for Senate Bill 1557, the bill that would make academic accommodation for Oregon military members called up for active duty? 

This exhortation is necessary because the bill has bipartisan sponsors and enjoys widespread bipartisan support.

More importantly, it is a no-nonsense modification bill that will help Oregonians in the military who are called on to serve their state and country to do so without worry about how it will affect their home lives. 

If it passes, and it should, Oregon National Guard members responding to natural or man-made disasters will be able to without forfeiting their enrollment or fees in college classes.

Service members should never have to choose between selflessly serving others and continuing to better themselves by seeking higher education.

But current law only offers college and university tuition and enrollment protections for longer active-duty assignments.

Oregon law recognizes that college or university-enrolled military members often have to withdraw or miss finals or other exams because they are called to active duty help or training. As worded now, the law allows them to seek redress only if they are called to duty lasting 30 days or longer.

This bill would close the loophole in Oregon law, and help service members before they are discharged by covering military assignments of 30 days or less.

Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, one of the bill's chief sponsors, has drafted the minor change to the current law so that it includes military members who are called up for a shorter duration.

This ensures that military members like those enlisted in the National Guard won't be penalized for trying to better themselves academically when they're called to respond to wildfires or other disasters.

The bill will get a work session Wednesday, and it deserves support for encouraging the academic success of those who serve our state.

Our military members shouldn't have to continually start over when it comes to their education.

Our military should be allowed to retake a class without additional cost if active duty causes them to withdraw.

They should be entitled to the same benefits afforded military members who serve longer, such as professorial flexibility with grading, class attendance and the like. 

Thatcher believes Oregon should be mindful of how National Guard members' lives are disrupted when they're called on to help the state or others in peril.

This is good for members of the military and it's good for the state now and in the future.

Let's say thank you to those who serve by ensuring it gets Oregonians' support as well.