Veterans Student Success Space & Services

Transcription

1 MONTANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM Veterans Student Success Space & Services Request For Proposals

2 Request for Proposals Veterans Student Success - Space and Services Montana University System Campuses and Community Colleges Timeline: June 14, 2013: RFP released and disseminated to campuses June 14 July 17, 2013 campuses conduct gap analysis of veterans space and services and complete proposals July 17, 2013: RFP proposals due to OCHE by 5:00 p.m. July 18 - July 31, 2013 RFP scoring process August 1, 2013: Award Notifications, Grant Period begins June 30, 2015: Grant Period Ends June 30, 2015: Final Reports Due by 5:00 p.m. Purpose of RFP: The Veterans Student Success - Space and Services Program is funded via the state general fund as one-time only funding for the 2015 biennium. Funding through this program, may be used only to provide space and services (see Appendix A) to meet veterans' needs for access to and completion of postsecondary education. Need: Enrollment of veterans in the MUS is projected to double in the next five years (from 2,500 to 5,000 students). Funds are needed to increase service levels by developing and expanding services to veterans across the system in order to meet the unique challenges veterans face with engaging and succeeding in higher education. Requirements and Funding: A one-time only funding for the 2015 biennium in the amount of $1 million will be used to fund specific veterans services identified by campuses through a gap analysis based on the current services provided by the campus compared to the Best Practices for Space and Services in Appendix A. Services must at a minimum include: Ensuring dedicated space for veterans is available on all campuses Veteran oriented academic and student services, advising, peer mentoring, counseling, and health/mental health services Financial literacy education and outreach activities to engage veterans on campus Enrollment and student success tracking Funding levels are based on the total veteran enrollment and total student enrollment at each respective campus, as well as a demonstrated, local untapped veteran population that could be served. Funded amounts will be provided in a lump sum sub-grant in the first year of the biennium.

3 Campus Estimated Funding for 2015 Biennium Great Falls MSU $ 50, MSU Billings $ 150, MSU Northern $ 30, MSU Bozeman $ 300, Helena College UM $ 50, UM Missoula $ 300, MT Tech $ 35, UM Western $ 25, Dawson CC $ 15, Miles CC $ 15, FVCC $ 30, Total $ 1,000, *These levels are estimates based on the assumption that campuses are able to determine acceptable uses for the funding amounts designated and to prioritize funding. Performance The success of this program will be measured based on increases in the following areas: Service levels across the system will be increased to meet the unique challenges veterans face with engaging and succeeding in higher education Enrollment (total number of veterans enrolled each year) Retention Rates (percentage returning for a second year of enrollment) Completions (number veterans receiving degrees and certificates) Workforce Placement (percentage of veterans receiving degrees and certificates) that find employment in Montana within one year following graduation) Campuses must provide the number of veterans served for the three most recent years in their response to this RFP. Submissions Each institution may submit one proposal. The RFP process is designed to achieve the goals of the Veterans Student Success Space and Services Program and the Montana Board of Regents Veterans Taskforce. Applications must be signed by the appropriate Vice President overseeing veterans services at each campus. Proposals must be ed to rmuffick@montana.edu no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, Questions should be directed to: Ron Muffick, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education at rmuffick@montana.edu, or Format Proposals should address each of the following criteria and should consist of no more than ten pages of at least 12 point font, double-spaced to be submitted in PDF format. 3

4 Scoring Criteria and Points The following criteria and points system will be used to prioritize spending for new or expanded veterans space and services within MUS and Community Colleges: 1) Demonstration of Need - Describe the need for new or expanded veterans services and space and the resulting effects of the new space and services on veteran students and the institution. As appropriate, describe the following factors of institutional and student needs: A. The institution has a significant number of veterans that require additional services. B. The community where the institution is located has a large number of veterans not currently enrolled who could be served by the institution if reached. C. The institution s need for the program. How does this program develop, complement, expand veterans services at the campus. D. The constraints on the institution s ability develop or expand veterans services. E. Does the veterans program support other programs or workforce needs outside the campus. F. Describe institutional factors that could expand this proposal or improve sustainability. G. How will the space and services improve the educational experience for veterans and provide them with the resources necessary to access and complete post-secondary education (100 points) 2) Plan of Action and Outcomes - Document and describe the methods and actions which will be employed to address the needs identified in question #1 and by the gap analysis. A. Summarize the gap analysis of the best practices, specific to your campus and indicate specific areas of development or expansion and expected outcomes. B. Describe the funding required to upgrade or develop programs and provide a detailed budget and timeline for each activity. C. Please provide a description of the capacity and structure in place to carry out the specified goals and objectives or your plan to develop such administrative capacity. D. Describe the evidence the institution will provide to show quantifiable results from the new/expanded space and services. E. Describe the outcomes you will achieve based on the performance measures listed below: Service levels across the system will be increased to meet the unique challenges veterans face with engaging and succeeding in higher education Enrollment will increase (total number of veterans enrolled each year) Retention Rates will increase (percentage returning for a second year of enrollment) Completions will increase number veterans receiving degrees and certificates) Workforce Placement will increase (percentage of veterans receiving degrees and certificates that find) employment in Montana within one year following graduation) Campuses must provide the number of veterans served for the three most recent years (150 points) 3) Assessment and Data Reporting - Data for veterans services and the tracking of veterans within the system must be improved. For the awarded sub-grantees, a final performance report will be required on completion of the grant cycle as well as periodic reporting of veterans data. Describe how you can improve the data related to and tracking of your veterans from enrollment through completion. (50 points) 4

5 SCORING GUIDE Superior Response: A superior response will be a highly comprehensive, excellent response that meets all of the requirements of the areas within that category. In addition, the response covers areas not originally addressed within the RFP category and includes additional information and recommendations that would prove both valuable and beneficial to the review committee. This response is considered to be an excellent standard, demonstrating authoritative knowledge and a thorough understanding of the project. Very Good Response: A very good response will provide useful information, while demonstrating experience and knowledge about the project. The proposal is well thought out and addresses all requirements set forth in the RFP. The submission provides insight into the institution s experience and understanding of the subject matter. Good Response: A good response meets all the requirements and has demonstrated in a clear and concise manner a general knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. This response demonstrates an above average performance with no apparent deficiencies noted. Fair Response: A fair response meets the requirements in an adequate manner. This response demonstrates an ability to comply with guidelines, parameters, and requirements with no additional information put forth by submission. Poor Response: A poor response minimally meets most requirements set forth in the RFP. Failed Response: A failed response does not meet the requirements set forth in the RFP. Score 150 Point Scale 100 Point Scale 50 Point Scale Superior Very Good Good Fair Poor Failed

6 Appendix A - Best Practices for Space and Services Veterans Advisory Board on each campus Dedicated veterans space Professional level administrator overseeing veterans services Central point of contact for veterans Upgrade of campus online veterans information Veterans specific assistance for admissions and enrollment (veterans friendly policies) Peer mentoring and student veterans organizations to engage veterans, partnering with student government Academic support services Disability, health and mental health services Faculty and staff training on veterans issues Career services 6