º£½ÇÉçÇø

Veterans

Date: November 2024

Supersedes: October 2016, May 2003

---

Purpose

This policy will affirm and describe the commitment of Montgomery County Community College to the principles of equal employment opportunityies for veterans and service members, and educational programs for all qualified veterans. 

Qualified individuals include: 

1. Disabled Veterans - A person entitled to disability compensation under laws administered by the Veteran's Administration for disability rated at 30% or more, or a person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. 

2. Qualified Special Disabled Veterans - a Special Disabled Veteran as defined in 41 C.F.R. Part 60-250.2 who satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of the employment position such veteran holds or desires, and who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of such position. 

3. Veterans of the Vietnam-Era - a person who served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 or between August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975 in an area other than Vietnam with a discharge or release other than dishonorable discharge. 

4. Other Eligible Veterans - A person who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. 

Applications from veterans for employment with the College are welcome. and the College will not discriminate in its educational programs or employment practices against individuals who are veterans or servicemembers. 

The College provides fair employment, educational and career opportunities to every qualified individual. Accordingly, the College will take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat qualified special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-Era and other eligible veterans and servicemembers without discrimination in all employment and educational practices. 

Specific Policy – Employment

1. The College will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because they are a special disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era or are otherwise eligible. The College will recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to veteran status, disabled veteran or Vietnam-Era veteran status; and ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements. 
2. The College employs, advances in employment and otherwise treats known qualified veterans without discrimination based upon their veteran status in all employment practices, including but not limited to the following: application, testing, hiring, work assignments, evaluation, promotion, transfer, disciplinary actions, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff/recall, termination or demotion, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
3. Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged in or may engage in any of the following activities: (1) filing a complaint; (2) assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of the affirmative action provisions of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974 ("VEVRAA") or any other federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity for veterans; (3) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by VEVRAA or its implementing regulations or any other federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity for veterans; or (4) exercising any other right protected by VEVRAA or its implementing regulations.
4. The College further confirms that it is in compliance with:
   1. the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the applicable Federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers. Accordingly, persons who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard or other uniformed services are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service; are promptly reemployed in their civilian jobs upon return from duty; and are not discriminated against in employment based on past, present or future military service.
   2. The Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2021 (CREW) which, extends     employment protections under USERRA to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reservists who deploy to major disaster sites. 
   3. Pennsylvania law which prohibits employment discrimination for military membership or duty and provides other benefits.

Educational Programs

Regarding students who have been called to active duty for federal activation, specialized training, disaster, and civil relief efforts (federal or state) or reassigned for military service in order to appropriately maintain the student’s academic and financial records with º£½ÇÉçÇø, refer to Student Withdrawal for Military Activation or Reassignment Policy (3.7). 

Veterans Resource Center

The College’s Veterans Resource Center provides services to current veteran employees and students.  Additional resources for employees are available through Human Resources. 

Information about ongoing activity and assistance for veteran students, employees, and their dependents can be accessed online at Veterans Resource Center.  Any questions can be directed to veterans@mc3.edu or 215-461-1177 or hr@mc3.edu