Veterans Non-Discrimination Policy
For Active Duty Military, Reservist, National Guard, and Veterans
The State University of New York Downstate Medical Center (Downstate) welcomes students with military experience. Downstate will not discriminate against any employee, or applicant for employment, student, or perspective student seeking admission to or enrolled in an, educational program because (s) he is active duty military, in the military reserves of the United States armed forces, National Guard of any state or territory of the United States, veteran of the armed forces of the United States, special disabled veteran, Vietnam era veteran, or Iraq or Afghanistan veteran, in regard to any position for which the employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant to an educational program is qualified.
Re-Employment Rights When Returning From Active Duty
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and members of the active and Reserve components of the U.S. armed forces. USERRA provides that returning service-members must be promptly reemployed in the same position that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority.
Instruction For Students Called To Or Returning From Active Duty Military Service.
Students called to or returning from active duty military service should contact the Downstate's Department of Student Affairs for information.
Who is a Covered Veteran?
"Covered" Veterans as defined by the Vietnam-Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) of 1994, (VEVRAA) amended by the Jobs for Veteran's Act of 2002, are the following:
Disabled Veteran – A "disabled veteran" means (1) A veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or (2) A person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
Vietnam-Era Veteran – A "Vietnam-era veteran" refers to a person (1) served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days, and was discharged or released there from with other than a dishonorable discharge, if any part of such active duty occurred: (i) in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975; or (ii) between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, in all other cases; or (2) was discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability if any part of such active duty was performed: (i) in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975; or (ii) between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, in all other cases. (41 C.F.R. § 60-250.2(p) (2001).)
War / Campaign / Expedition Veteran – A "War/Campaign/ Expedition Veteran" is a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
Recently Separated Veteran – A "recently separated veteran" is any veteran separated during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
Armed Forces Service Medal Veterans – An "Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran" is any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.