Larry Lockwood Assistant Provost and University Registrar University of Iowa

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1 Larry Lockwood Assistant Provost and University Registrar University of Iowa

2 Today s military students Education benefits Academic issues Student life issues Personal stories Future issues Emerging best practices recommendations Services provided at the Regent universities

3 Nation at war since 9/11/2001 Largest number of war-time veterans since WWII Iowa National Guard participating in the largest deployment since WWII Service characterized by unprecedented multiple deployments Visible and invisible wounds of war

4 Iowa State University ROTC: 240 VA educational benefits: 422 Currently deployed: 38 University of Iowa ROTC: 210 VA educational benefits: 381 Currently deployed: 38 University of Northern Iowa ROTC: 39 VA educational benefits: 231 Currently deployed: Unknown Who are we missing? Those who have exhausted benefits Guard and reserve members who have not qualified for benefits yet Those who haven t filed for benefits yet due to bureaucracy fatigue

5 Women receiving VA Educational Benefits = 28% (Iowa); 27% (UNI); 23% (ISU) Students bringing in transfer credit: ~58% Iowa residency status can be obtained for in-state tuition 4,000 Iowa Army National Guard currently deployed in Afghanistan Many will start or return in August 2011 and January 2012 Iowa has a large number of National Guard/Reservists called to active duty (50%) compared to other states All 3 Regent universities have been listed by GI Jobs Magazine as military-friendly"

6 New GI Bill (Chapter 33) Post 9/11 Ensures that our troops have 40% to 100% of their tuition paid, plus: $1000 for books per academic year $1068 per month housing Iowa City $1017 per month housing Ames $903 per month housing Cedar Falls In addition, veterans are eligible to receive Pell grants of up to $5,550 a year and/or state and other federal grants Benefits can be transferred to dependents

7 Strengths: Motivated, committed students Add to campus diversity with interesting background, life-experiences Challenges: Students may feel distracted in class Faculty, staff and other students unaware of unique needs Isolation feeling a lack of community Admission Issues that denied access All 3 campuses follow ACE guidelines for accepting transfer credits Propensity to stop out Deployment, personal reasons, financial reasons, or work-related reasons

8 Older than the general population Accustomed to a structured environment Disassociated from established relationships and teammates Different world experiences than year-olds who have not been out of the state May have dependents must balance responsibilities May find themselves with insufficient funds May have emotional as well as physical scars

9 Physical and emotional issues that may affect them longer Hidden disabilities such as TBI and PTSD impacting educational experience Longer timeframe to acclimate to studies Require more support Not ready to enter the educational system if severely disabled

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11 Improve retention & graduation rates of veterans VETS: 30% graduate in 4 years; 50% in 6 years (UI) ALL: 45% graduate in 4 years; 68% in 6 years (UI) Prepare for increase in number of veteran students reintegrating 20,000 National Guard and Reservists in Iowa are eligible for the new GI Bill. 85,000 veterans are eligible as resident students of Iowa who live in the bordering states. The number of veteran students at the Regent universities is expected to double by 2013.

12 Listen to military students Assess institutional strengths and weaknesses serving this population Start (or support) military student groups Offer a military student gathering space Establish a point of contact Consider one-stop shop approach, including consolidated website for military student services

13 Address military student needs during campus orientation Raise awareness among faculty, staff and students Partner with other organizations (Veterans Affairs, state organizations, etc.) Engage the community, alumni, and military student families

14 Dedicated veterans advisor $1,000 Iowa Undergraduate Veterans Grant Returning adult student forgiveness policy Improved transfer of military credit New course called Life After War: Post-Deployment Issues

15 Military Student web site Active chapter of Student Veterans of America New group called Cy pport for family members, partners, spouses, and others Military Student Services Task Force to identify ISU s strengths and gaps in meeting the needs of military students

16 Campus-wide survey to determine needs of veterans on campus Veterans student organization Participation in Yellow Ribbon Program New, one-stop web site to connect users to all UNI resources supporting military students

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18 17000 National Guard and Reservists in Iowa are eligible for the New GI Bill 7500 live within 200 miles of Iowa City 2000 are using their benefits within 100 mile of U of I veterans are eligible as resident students of Iowa who live in the bordering states

19 U of I enrolled 564 vets this fall, 800 by fall were women(8 who received purple hearts) 40% are disabled from service 30 of our NG students deployed in August deployed in the summer of 2010 and returned 139 additional vets not receiving benefits

20 University climate has focused on student success resident tuition for any veteran undergrad, no admission fee, no reentry fee, offer military credit, 6 from ROTC for a visit to the commander Vet Center created in 2006 offers communication to new applicants peer counseling for enrollment, orientation, benefit advice website to answer their questions, Women Veterans group and Women s Counselor, University offers $800 grant to Iowa veteran undergrads who have served in any war. Academic forgiveness, Restart Program for undergrads

21 Veteran s advisor travels the state to recruit veterans and works with pre-release centers to help Disabled Vets apply for admission speaks at many regional meetings about our efforts. works with the office of disability services, VA Clinic, Counseling Services on campus as well as the local VA Hospital to coordinate services for our vets. works with admission denials to enable admission works with Financial Aid for financial advances up to 2000$ 8 work-study students trained as peer advisors

22 longer to acclimate to studies require more support, physical and mental issues affect them longer hidden disabilities such as TBI and PTSD impact educational experience need equalization of subsistence allowance Advantages of Voc Rehab Program Laptop computer and tech services Special testing and tutoring arrangements Full coverage of books and supplies Early registration

23 Tamara S. Woods Pre-doctoral Intern, Iowa City Veteran Affairs Medical Health Care System Instructor, Life After War Doctoral Student, Counseling Psychology, University of Iowa

24 University of Iowa ~500 veterans are enrolled, with plans to enroll ~1000 veterans in the near future. 30% have a disability 20% are women. Retention rates for student veterans are 18% below the campus average.

25 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Traumatic Brain Injury Depression & Anxiety Substance use/abuse Problems transitioning into civilian roles Marital/Relationship/Family problems Physical problems and Pain Stigma Co-morbidity of Issues

26 1. Address the biological underpinnings of common post-deployment issues. 2. Decrease stigma of post-deployment issues 3. Increase Academic self-efficacy 4. Increase retention and academic success 5. Increase a sense of camaraderie among student veterans

27 Offered for 3 semester hours at the University of Iowa Will be offered again next Spring Tamarawoods@uiowa.edu or Tamara.woods@va.gov

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29 Student veterans and current servicemembers from various backgrounds Family members and community supporters Charter member of Student Veterans of America Homecoming Parade 2010

30 Help veterans and servicemembers at the University adjust to and integrate into campus life Act as advocates for servicemembers and veterans Support those still serving and their families Provide information about veterans benefits Serve as liaison with University and community programs Propose and lobby for Veteran-friendly legislation Raise awareness among fellow students and the community Veterans Day On the Hill Iowa State House Jan 2009

31 Hawkeye Football! Volunteering Social activities Iowa Troop Pantry G.I.V.E. Foundation Care packages/letter writing Wounded Warrior Project

32 Veterans Center 111 Communications Center Location for veterans to study and relax Sofas, networked computers, TV, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee, soda, and snacks CAC card reader

33 Welcome Back grill-out Fall/Spring bar crawls Veterans Day program, reception, and banquet Wreaths Across America Statewide Veterans Education Symposium Veterans Day Banquet 2009

34 Homecoming Parade 2008 Nearly Naked Mile NAMI Walk Riverfest Combat Paper Project Homecoming Parade Student Veteran Orientation Telling Project

35 Lioness 2009 Restrepo 2010

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