Oregon War Veterans Blog

OWVA Confirms Maxwell’s Re-admittance to the Oregon University System

Salem, Oregon – The Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) is encouraged to announce that Jeff Maxwell, the Western Oregon University (WOU) student and veteran Marine who was wrongfully arrested and subsequently suspended from school for lawfully carrying a concealed weapon, may now re-enter the Oregon University System.

Earlier this year, Western Oregon University demanded Maxwell write a special research paper on the importance of following their policies – essentially a denouncement of his own lawful actions.  “We appreciate WOU’s concern and cooperation on this issue,” said Jesse Barton, the Salem attorney retained by OWVA to represent Maxwell.  “Maxwell will now be able to reenroll while the court case continues.”

Maxwell recently signed an agreement, negotiated by Jesse Barton with Assistant Attorney General Gary Cordy, effectively staying the research paper requirement until the Court of Appeals has a chance to review his case. 

After Maxwell’s arrest, OWVA retained Barton, who is also a veteran member of OWVA, to defend Maxwell after it became aware of the level of humiliation forced on him. 

“He did nothing wrong, but was arrested, humiliated, and suspended without the ability to properly defend himself. WOU’s actions infuriated veterans and gun rights advocates from all over the State,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA. 

WOU’s action against Maxwell caused him to lose the funds he prepaid for his education, lose academic credits for the courses he was enrolled in, and also lose his GI Bill educational benefits during his suspension. 

“We are happy that Maxwell may continue his education,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA. “We’re excited that WOU and Maxwell could reach a compromise on this one issue.”

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OWVA Urges State Legislature to Support the Oregon Youth Challenge Program

OWVA Asks for a “Do Pass” Recommendation

Salem, Oregon – Today, the Senate Committee on Education and General Government will hold a public hearing and work session on Senate Bill 920, which allows the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program (OYCP) to receive State School Fund distribution.  The OYCP is a mentor active, cost free, drug free, coed, residential/post-residential program conducted at the Central Oregon Training and Education Facility (COTEF) in Bend, Oregon.  It is an “at-risk” youth program that targets unemployed and underemployed male and female teens ages 16 to 18 that have dropped out or are struggling with school.  The program’s mission is to provide work skills and alternative learning opportunities to meet the unique individual needs of students in order to increase positive behavioral and academic skills.

“We realize that the legislature must deal with a faltering economy during one of the worst recessions this state has seen,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of the Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA).  “However, cutting the nation’s most successful program for “at risk” teens will not solve the problem.  It will make it worse.  In fact, that for every $1.00 dollar spent on the Oregon Youth Challenge Program, the State will receive $3.00 in matching Federal monies as of next year.  This is money our state must maintain. ”

The OYCP is the number one “at-risk” educational program in the nation and has successfully graduated over 3,000 students since 1994.   Over 80% of its graduates are successful post graduation and only 1% of its students have been detained in jail-a dramatically lower number than the “at-risk” teens who do not attend the program. 

Day after day, we hear legislators talk about the solution to Oregon’s economic recession being education.  In a year when education is a priority, diminishing the best academic program for “at-risk” teens is counterproductive.  Our teens and our state need this program.

“OWVA is heavily involved in the Oregon Youth Challenge Program in mentorship and fundraising “said Greg Warnock, the President of OWVA.  “In fact, one of my own sons is a successful graduate of OYCP.  OYCP is a very high priority for OWVA.  We will do whatever it takes to keep this program running.”

If SB 920 is passed out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation, it will head to Finance and Revenue for further consideration.

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Veteran Jeffery Maxwell Deserves Equal Protection of the Law

OWVA Supports Maxwell’s Appeal

Salem, Oregon – Today, Jeffery Maxwell, the Marine veteran WOU suspended after learning that he was lawfully carrying a concealed weapon on campus, filed a petition with the Oregon Court of Appeals for judicial review.  This petition starts an appeal of Western Oregon University’s (WOU) decision to suspend Maxwell and seeks to override the university’s requirements to be reinstated into the college.  These requirements add an extra burden solely on Maxwell for his reinstatement to any university under the Oregon University System. 

“This particular case encompasses much more than the Second Amendment right,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of the Oregon War Veterans Association.  “This case is about protecting this veteran’s rights.  Our association is about placing veterans first for their service to our country, and we want to ensure that Jeff Maxwell receives that same courtesy.”

In January, Maxwell was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun on campus.  The Polk County District Attorney’s Office later dismissed these charges when Maxwell confirmed that he had the necessary permit to carry a concealed weapon.  However, the dismissal of his charges did not change the university’s disciplinary decision to suspend Maxwell until June 12, 2009.
 
“This issue has become a matter of principle,” said Maxwell.  “I should not be punished for something that is unwarranted.  I’ve lost my educational benefits from the G.I. Bill, and have been publicly humiliated in front of my peers.  The university’s suspension decision is no more supported by the law than was my false arrest for lawful possession of concealed handgun.  I should be allowed to re-enroll under the same terms as anyone else.”

Without the appeal, Maxwell must complete a 10-page paper, with citations of authority, to be reinstated into the university in June.  Even with the completion of the paper, WOU still has the power and authority to accept or deny the essay, meaning it could further delay Maxwell’s re-enrollment.  WOU does not impose this type of enrollment requirement on anyone but Maxwell.

“It will be several months until the court issues its decision, so time becomes a factor,” said Jesse Barton, Maxwell’s legal counsel and one of OWVA’s attorneys.  “Our goal of the petition is to allow Jeff Maxwell, an honorably discharged Marine who compiled an excellent record at Western Oregon and at Linn-Benton Community College before that, and who is on the staff of the Mitchell Group Home in Albany, to continue his pursuit of his chosen professional field.”

The university now has 30 days to provide the Court of Appeals with the entire record of the university’s proceedings regarding this case.  A court date is expected in the upcoming months.

For more information, contact:

Jess Barton
Attorney at Law
jessbarton@msn.com
Phone (503) 391-6283

Greg Warnock
Executive Director, OWVA
greg@owva.org
Phone (503) 689-4145

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