The Accessibility and Utilization Frequency of Academic Services for Student Military Veterans Presented by: Jessie Boswell, Sandra Garcia, Xavier Simon-Perry, and Christina Sneed

Problem Statement and Objective R1: To what extent are Student Military Veterans utilizing services at Tarleton State University? R2: How effective are the services at Tarleton State University, if they are being utilized by Student Military Veterans? O 1: Assessing whether SMVs are utilizing services at Tarleton State University O2: Assessing what changes can be made at Tarleton State University with the data collected for utilization of services by SMVs

Hypotheses H1: SMVs who participate in taking the survey will have an age demographic of 18-24 years old. H2: The majority of SMVs are less likely to report often use of academic support/ tutoring services. H3: The majority of SMVs are less likely to report often use of campus social and/ or cultural events H4: The majority of SMVs are less likely to report often use of veteran student lounge or designed gathering place H5: The majority of SMVs are less likely to report often use of an orientation H6: SMV females will report using services often more than SMV males will report using services often.

Literature Review Recognizing SMVs have abilities from serving in the military, but colleges need to help translate these abilities to help the SMV succeed in higher education (Callahan, 2014). The literature suggests colleges can improve services by identifying students and faculty who have military backgrounds, giving surveys to SMVs, and collecting/ analyzing data to create effective programs (Callahan, 2014). The literature states having a specialized office where SMVs can have direct contact to help the veterans is the best organizational structure for the population (Daly & Fox Garrity, 2013).

Literature Review Continued The literature states faculty and staff need to be educated on and involved in the transition of SMVs. Success was seen when the SMV population accessed services through faculty and staff who were willing to assist in services SMVs might need (Moon & Schuma, 2011). The literature states SMVs do not want to identify themselves, but would rather use the “blending in technique”; therefore, research on this population could be skewed because those who do not want to self-identify are not included in data collection (DiRamio, Ackerman, & Mitchell, 2008). The literature states veterans lack the desire to attend a traditional orientation, but may benefit from an orientation that is geared toward education on services and benefits provided to them (Wheeler, 2012).

Conceptual/Theoretical Framework Functionalist Theory Having members of society serve in the military is functional so that there is protection for the American society. Conflict Theory When SMVs integrate into society, they have skills learned from the military that do not always translate to civilian jobs. Higher education is used as a tool to learn the skills necessary to function as a productive citizen in society. SMVs are in conflict with what they learned in the military, and society’s expectations for them. Empowerment Theory Services at Tarleton State University can be utilized to draw on the strengths of the SMVs, which allows for self-determination to acquire the role of assimilating back into society.

Methods and Research Design Mixed methodology survey 5 quantitative questions 4 qualitative questions The student research members have compiled two surveys into one to collect data on the Student Military Veteran population. The survey will serve as a measuring tool to gather information necessary for the research. The survey is also designed to gather data on the demographics for the SMV population. This demographics will consist of three specific concepts: gender, race/ethnicity, and age. The survey will also be used to gather information about the services offered at Tarleton State University. The survey will provide information regarding the frequency of use of the services at Tarleton State University being accessed. The method of distribution included face to face, drop off surveys, and the snowball effect.

Analysis and Results Total sample size of 55 surveys 29.1% (n=16) are 18-24 years old 94.5% (n=52) did not report often use of academic support/ tutoring services. 89.1% (n=49) did not report often use of campus social and/ or cultural events 85.5% (n=47) did not report often use of veteran student lounge or designated gathering place 100% (n=55) did not report often use of an orientation Out of 16 females, who had 160 chances to answer often, 11.3% (n=18) was reported for often utilization of services. Out of 39 males, who had 390 chances to answer often, 10% (n=39) was reported for often utilization of services.

Females Who Reported Often Utilization of Services

Males Who Reported Often Utilization of Services

Strengths and Limitations Strength: The SMV population has limited data regarding this population; therefore, this study provides insight into the population at Tarleton State University. Strength: The use of surveys that have been tested and validated as useful instruments for data collection. Limitation: Researchers do not have access to the population as a whole because SMVs must self-identify to take the survey. Limitation: Literature states data on those who draw the GI Bill benefits, which includes SMVs spouses and children. The researchers wanted data specifically on the SMV population and not other who draw GI Bill benefits.

Ethical Considerations Submitting research to an Institutional Review Board on Tarleton State University’s campus National Association of Social Workers code of ethics Use of section 5. in code of ethics Section 5.02 (h) “Social workers should inform participants of their right to withdraw from evaluation and research at any time without penalty ” (National Association of Social Workers, 2008, p. 19) Section 5.02 (i) “social workers engaged in evaluation or research should ensure the anonymity or confidentiality of participants and of the data obtained from them” (National Association of Social Workers, 2008, p. 19) 

Implications for Social Work Practice Micro implication: The student researchers will be able to utilize information gained from data analysis while working with the SMV population at Tarleton State University, which includes the future of a orientation specialized by the researchers for this population. Mezzo implication: Services at Tarleton State University can utilize the data collected to inform their staff who may be working with the SMV population. Macro implication: Higher education systems ,who have demographics similar to Tarleton State University, can utilize the data to enhance their knowledge on the SMV population.

References Callahan, R., & Jarrat, D. (2014). Helping Student Servicemembers and Veterans Succeed. Change: The Magazine Of Higher Learning,46(2), 36-41. Daly, D. D., & Fox Garrity, B. K. (2013). FROM BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO SEATS IN THE CLASSROOM: AN ASSESSMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE AND VETERAN STUDENTS. American Journal Of Business Research, 6(1), 5-17. DiRamio, D., Ackerman, R., & Mitchell, R. L. (2008). From Combat to Campus: Voices of Student-Veterans. NASPA Journal, 45(1), 73-102. Moon, T. L., & Schuma, G. A. (2011). A Proactive Approach to Serving Military and Veteran Students. New Directions For Higher Education, (153), 53-60 National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics (English and Spanish) - National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved September 27, 2015, from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp Wheeler, H. A. (2012). Veterans’ Transitions to Community College: A Case Study. Community College Journal Of Research & Practice, 36(10), 775. doi: 10.1080/10668923.2012.679457