Combat to Campus: Creating A Veteran Friendly University

The new Post 9-11 GI Bill was the most comprehensive change in veterans ’ benefits in the last 50 years. It increased the tuition benefits for all veterans, and it allowed for private universities to get involved with recruiting veterans to their campuses. The bill provides a book stipend of $1,000/semester and a living stipend (BAH – basic allowance for housing) to be given each month that the student veteran is enrolled. Since 9/11, 2.1 million military personnel have been deployed. The GI Bill will provide greater access to higher education to those military men and women wishing to earn degrees. There are a number of ways in which Universities can prepare to meet the needs of veterans returning to campus. The impact of the Best, Brightest and Bravest Veterans at the University of North Texas.

State Total Deployed 1. Texas 267, Florida 206, California 184, New York 83, Pennsylvania 81, Illinois 76, Ohio 65, Washington 65, Tennessee 63, Michigan 59,985 What states higher education system would experience the highest number of veterans? As of June 2010, there are over 2.1 million service members who have been deployed since 9/11. Texas is leading all other states in the total number of service members deployed.

State Total active duty deployed 1.Texas 230,900 2.Florida 181,932 3.California 142, New York 60,794 5.Pennsylvania 55,102 6.Illinois 59,171 7.Ohio 44,604 8.Washington 51, Tennessee 46, Michigan 46,292 These values take into account all deployed, including guard and reserve. The vast majority of active duty service-members would be eligible for 100% of their GI Bill benefits. Table below shows these states with their numbers of deployed active duty service-members.

The Impact of the GI Bill at UNT For the academic year there was an increase in over 1200 students utilizing veterans benefits at UNT. In the last academic year (including this summer), UNT Veteran students received $3.6 million in tuition benefits from the VA. The tuition benefits received do not include the book and housing stipend provided by the VA. As the economy continues to prevent job growth there will be an increase in Veteran enrollment over the next few years. As Veterans return from combat and a face a strained job market, UNT anticipates a continued growth in the number of Veteran students enrolling or reenrolling.

Collaborative Resources and Veteran Friendly Contacts Admission OfficeAdmission Office Registrar’s OfficeRegistrar’s Office Benefit OfficeBenefit Office Academic CounselorAcademic Counselor Veteran Center( social and educational)Veteran Center( social and educational) Veteran CouncilVeteran Council Student Money Management CenterStudent Money Management Center Counseling and TestingCounseling and Testing Veterans Green ZoneVeterans Green Zone

Issues Veterans Face Transitioning to campus and classrooms Physically disabilities PTSD Sexually Trauma Adjusting to home and family Cultural unfamiliar ties Always on Alert!

Campus Supportive Services for Veterans The University of North Texas has in place quality programs and services that address the unique needs of Veterans.The University of North Texas has in place quality programs and services that address the unique needs of Veterans. The CARE Team is designed for all students by assisting in protecting the health, safety and welfare of students and members of the UNT community.The CARE Team is designed for all students by assisting in protecting the health, safety and welfare of students and members of the UNT community. If additional specialized care is needed for Veterans the UNT Counseling Center will work with outside resources to address the immediate need of the Veteran.If additional specialized care is needed for Veterans the UNT Counseling Center will work with outside resources to address the immediate need of the Veteran.

Community Resources Referrals to Veteran Advocate – Denton, Tx (less than 15 min drive from campus)Referrals to Veteran Advocate – Denton, Tx (less than 15 min drive from campus) Veteran Clinic - Denton, Texas (less than 10 min. drive from campus)Veteran Clinic - Denton, Texas (less than 10 min. drive from campus) Veteran Affairs/VA Hospital – DFW (30 min drive from campus)Veteran Affairs/VA Hospital – DFW (30 min drive from campus)

University SupportUniversity Support GrantsGrants Make use of unused spaceMake use of unused space VolunteersVolunteers Student Veteran EmploymentStudent Veteran Employment StaffStaff Costs

The University of North Texas (UNT) has nearly 36,000 students and is located in the 4th largest metropolitan area in the country. It is committed to providing comprehensive access and facilitating academic and personal success for veterans, their spouses, and their families. The University of North Texas (UNT) has nearly 36,000 students and is located in the 4th largest metropolitan area in the country. It is committed to providing comprehensive access and facilitating academic and personal success for veterans, their spouses, and their families. Veterans and their families face multiple barriers to access and success in higher education. These needs include exploring possible degrees and careers, admissions and financial aid, and successfully navigating the university to complete their degree and be employed. Veterans also have significant and unique personal, rehabilitation, spousal, and family needs. UNT, with its existing resources, programs and services, plans to prepare veterans to meet these daunting challenges by establishing a comprehensive and effective Veteran’s Center. The proposed Center will provide assistance to veterans in several areas including education, health, counseling, employment and family well being. Veterans and their families face multiple barriers to access and success in higher education. These needs include exploring possible degrees and careers, admissions and financial aid, and successfully navigating the university to complete their degree and be employed. Veterans also have significant and unique personal, rehabilitation, spousal, and family needs. UNT, with its existing resources, programs and services, plans to prepare veterans to meet these daunting challenges by establishing a comprehensive and effective Veteran’s Center. The proposed Center will provide assistance to veterans in several areas including education, health, counseling, employment and family well being. In the fall of 2008 UNT was awarded the Texas Higher Education Star Award for its enrollment success efforts. UNT has refined it expertise and was recognized for its initiatives to increase the number of students enrolled and the number of degrees awarded, helping students overcome the types of obstacles our veterans also encounter. UNT is a Title III approved university that has recently completed a comprehensive self-study of the needs of its students who are veterans. The findings of the UNT Access and Success for our Troops Workgroup point to the clear strengths UNT already has as well as to opportunities for expanding services in a comprehensive fashion to more broadly address the specific needs of veterans, their spouses, and families. In the fall of 2008 UNT was awarded the Texas Higher Education Star Award for its enrollment success efforts. UNT has refined it expertise and was recognized for its initiatives to increase the number of students enrolled and the number of degrees awarded, helping students overcome the types of obstacles our veterans also encounter. UNT is a Title III approved university that has recently completed a comprehensive self-study of the needs of its students who are veterans. The findings of the UNT Access and Success for our Troops Workgroup point to the clear strengths UNT already has as well as to opportunities for expanding services in a comprehensive fashion to more broadly address the specific needs of veterans, their spouses, and families. Dr. Hick’s Comments

Student Money Management Center Chestnut Hall Suite 313 Chestnut Hall Suite Behind the Lines, 1/2010 John Shupp’s University of Ohio Serv Program Innovative Educators UNT Dean of Students UNT Care Team