1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; requiring the Minnesota State Colleges and 
1.3 	Universities to adopt a veteran's preference policy in graduate student 
1.4 	admissions; requesting the University of Minnesota and private institutions to 
1.5 	adopt similar policies;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 197.775, by 
1.6 	adding a subdivision.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 197.775, is amended by adding a 
1.9 	subdivision to read:
1.10 		Subd. 2a.Recognition of veteran status. (a) With the policy in this subdivision, 
1.11 	the state recognizes veterans' selfless sacrifices in service to our nation, and their varied 
1.12 	and specialized military education and training, as well as the need for their timely and 
1.13 	meaningful reintegration into civilian society. The state also recognizes the special value 
1.14 	of veterans in furthering the goal of creating a diverse student population in the state's 
1.15 	postsecondary institutions.
1.16 	(b) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must adopt a policy recognizing, for 
1.17 	applicants who are veterans, the applicant's veteran status as a positive factor in determining 
1.18 	whether to grant admission to a graduate or professional academic degree program.
1.19 	(c) The University of Minnesota, and private colleges and universities in Minnesota, 
1.20 	are encouraged to adopt a policy recognizing, for applicants who are veterans, the 
1.21 	applicant's veteran status as a positive factor in determining whether to grant admission 
1.22 	to a graduate or professional academic degree program.