Creating the Elements of a Veterans Friendly Campus

Transcription

1 Creating the Elements of a Veterans Friendly Campus Presented by Carin Anderson, Assistant Director One Stop Student Services & University Veterans Services

2 Presentation Outline Background on the University of Minnesota Minnesota veterans legislation Veterans initiatives

3 Five campus system with over 69,221 students

4 Twin Cities Campus Located in the heart of the Minneapolis - St. Paul Metropolitan area Largest of the five campuses Made up of 17 colleges and professional schools Offers 161 Bachelor degrees; 28 Master s degrees; 114 Doctoral degrees and 5 Professional degrees Enrollment for Fall 2011 was 52,557

5 Twin Cities Campus Enrollment Undergraduate 30,610 Graduate 13,562 Professional 3,625 Non-degree 4,760 Total 52,557

6 Organizational Structure President Senior VP Academic Affairs & Provost Vice Provost Undergraduate Education Academic Support Resources (ASR) One Stop Student Services Office of Student Finance Office of the Registrar Office of Classroom Management Continuity & Compliance ASR-IT

7 U of M Veteran Certifications - Spring 2012 Crookston 43 Duluth 153 Morris 22 Twin Cities 717 Total 935

8 Twin Cites spring 2012 demographics Males 516 (72%) Females 201 (28%) Ages: 18-22: : : : : : 42

9 The need for better veteran services The transition from military to college can be overwhelming and deters many from starting. Assistance for veterans exists but is not easily accessible and exist independently of one another. Campuses play an important role for veterans reintegration back into the community. Providing services on campus attracts/retains veterans and provides help where it is often needed most.

10 2006 Minnesota Legislation Recognition of courses award educational credits for courses that were part of a veteran s military training or service if the courses meet the standards Tuition status must treat a veteran as a Minnesota resident for determining the veteran s undergraduate tuition rate Delayed payment of tuition may not assess late fees or other late charges for veterans who have applied for but not yet received benefits

11 Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program Program Provide assistance to veterans at all public and private educational institutions in Minnesota Funding is directed to the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs (MDVA) Must use funding to provide central liaison staff and campus veterans assistance officers to provide assistance to veterans Campus Office Space Each campus will provide adequate space for a campus veterans service office University of Minnesota hosted one of the initial six offices

12 U of M Veteran Initiatives Director served on Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty s Yellow Ribbon Higher Education Task Force Began implementing initiatives in 2006

13 Staffing Manager Senior Veterans Coordinator 3 Veteran Coordinator 4 VA work study students 4 One Stop Counselors MNDVA Regional Coordinator

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15 Faculty and Staff Training Focuses on: Flash drive for new staff Military leave policy Addressing the needs of returning combat veterans Describing the challenges soldiers are facing as they reintegrate

16 Benefits Federal VA Benefits MN GI Bill WI State Tuition Reimbursement WI Veterans Education Grant Federal Tuition Assistance Other state benefits

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18 Student reaction I m thrilled to have your office available. It is a tremendous asset to the University vets. You guys do an outstanding job. Thank you. The University has been very good to and accommodating for veterans. I brag to all the time to my friends elsewhere. Thank you for all you do to support us. Any help I needed from the University s One Stop was extremely well handled. Thank you. The University has very high quality Veterans service.

19 Veteran Web Page History Benefits VA resources Events Veterans Transition Center Other needed information

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22 Communications Created address: Created phone line to Veterans Office Send s to verify certification reminders Created the Veterans Connection newsletter

23 Veterans Connection Newsletter ed once per term Updates and benefit information Reminders

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25 University Veterans Services Education benefits University Coordinator MN Dept of VA Representative Financial aid and registration Walk-in Other resources

26 Appreciation event Held the week of the national Veterans Day Annual Student Veterans Appreciation Event Funding Sponsors

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28 Veteran Orientation Program Question on admission application Veteran benefits and processes Financial aid and registration Deployment and leave Tuition and billing MN Department of Veterans Affairs Program Veterans Transition Center Time for paperwork and questions

29 Tracking Our Veterans Monitor students GI Bill payments and certifications VA check rosters PeopleSoft Checklists Student groups Service indicators

30 In-state Tuition Rates Student submits DD214 Student group added Undergraduate student veterans Graduate student veterans

31 Veteran Advisory Committee Charge to committee: The Veterans Advisory Committee is charged with facilitating dialog between departments that directly impact the academic success and well-being of University of Minnesota veterans and their families. The committee will work to create an awareness of the issues faced by veterans, develop programs to support veterans and military families on campus, and offer a forum for student veterans to provide feedback.

32 Veterans Transition Center Goal: To help student veterans smoothly make the transition from military to civilian life. Provides student veterans with a place where they can meet other student veterans in a friendly atmosphere.

33 Gather statistics Funding Have student veterans advocate for better services Be proactive at reviewing your processes to improve veteran services Build relationships

34 Contact Information Carin Anderson Assistant Director University of Minnesota onestop.umn.edu