Letter to Mr. Lee Lambert, Chancellor of Pima Community College - Concern Over Mishandling of Student Veterans' Benefits by Pima Community College

Letter

Dear Chancellor Lambert:

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the Pima Community College (PCC) Veterans Affairs mandated audit of Veterans Education Benefit recipients due to the mishandling of the certification of these benefits by PCC.

As the relatively new Chancellor of PCC, I understand that you have unfortunately inherited this student veteran issue. But, immediate action to remedy this widespread problem is essential. I appreciate your willingness to meet with my office on three separate occasions since the veteran audit was announced in March 2014. Following those meetings, I understand that PCC has announced a public outreach campaign aimed at directly assisting past and present PCC student veterans. I have directed my Tucson office staff to attend these sessions and further support our student veterans wherever possible. Furthermore, I understand that you have pledged PCC's support to financially assist student veterans who receive debt letters from the VA due to no fault of their own. This is a positive first of many steps to correct past mistakes and ensure that Arizona's veterans receive the educational benefits they have earned.

Our student veterans are a tremendous resource that should be fully supported on your campuses. The University of Arizona (UA) has developed perhaps the most prolific veteran support and education system in the country and I encourage you to work with the UA and other colleges in Arizona that have made veteran education a top priority.

My staff will be in touch for further details concerning the June 21st and June 23rd PCC hosted sessions.

Sincerely,

John McCain
United States Senator

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