Veterans on Campus: Are You Ready? Thursday, May 20, :30 PM ET

Resource Team –Steve Frantz, Ed.D. Office of the Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: OR Don Pfeffer, M.A., Higher Education Veterans Program: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs OR

Service member and family transitions Services colleges/universities can offer Veteran friendly campus policies Safe and welcoming campuses Transition from school to career Shared Goals

Minnesota State Colleges & Universities

Minnesota Higher Education Veterans Program Regional Coordinators

National Military Demographics  Ethnic minorities make up 24% of the Air Force and 40% of the Army  About 16% of the Active Duty Armed Forces members are women  About 50% of military members are married – 11% married to another Photo: MN National Guard

Total Deployed (Federal Title 10) between and (Potentially eligible for Chapter 33—Post 9-11 GI Bill): 1.96 million Currently Deployed Worldwide: 260,208 Each person impacts at least 60 other people 79.8% of MN National Guard members (1/34 BCT) planned to enroll in college By the Numbers

Returning Home 43% Army National Guard Army Marine Reserves Marines Source: Dept of Defense Task Force on Mental Health report, June % Percentage of combat veterans reporting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety 90 to 120 days after returning from war.

Coming home to an active duty base

Reliance of Guard/Reserve Forces for Deployments Percent currently deployed by type of service (June ’09) ActiveGuard/Reserve Mississippi28%72% Wisconsin34%66% Minnesota46%54% Texas85%15% National Average 72%28% Source:

Fort Minnesota

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Partners

Stages Faced by Military Members, Their Families and Communities Pre- Deployment Deployment Returning Home

14 From Citizen to Warrior Pre-Deployment and Deployment In training for 6 months and Then living with combat for 12 months, Individuals move FromTO SECURITYINSECURITY SAFETY DANGER ORDERCHAOS LAWLAWLESSNESS COMFORTDISCOMFORT TRUSTMISTRUST COOPERATIONSURVIVAL ‘US’ ‘ME’

Pre-Deployment Affects Everyone All “Stages of Grief” Apply. Separation Process is Individual. Shadow of Injury/Death… Change in Hopes and Dreams… …Resolution Photo: MN National Guard

Deployment Affects Everyone Soldier Family Workplace Community Photos: MN National Guard

Re-occurring grief Constant fear/concern Increased responsibilities Anger/Resentment Increased difficulties: Lack of focus Change in priorities “Short Fuse” Deployment: Family

Insecurity Danger Chaos Lawlessness Mistrust Survival Deployment: Service Member Photo: MN National Guard

19 Returning Home: "Warrior to Citizen" TOFROM SECURITYINSECURITY SAFETY DANGER ORDERCHAOS LAWLAWLESSNESS COMFORTDISCOMFORT TRUSTMISTRUST COOPERATIONSURVIVAL ‘US’ ‘ME’

Returning Home Affects Everyone What readjustment issues might they face? Photo: Sgt. Lynette Hoke, MN National Guard Public Affairs

Control Issues –Household Management –Parenting –Budgeting Relationship Issues –Living with a “Stranger” –Inability to Work/Attend College –How does everyone “Fit In” “Self Worth” Issues Emotional/Physical Health Issues –Anger issues –Guilt –Financial Issues Returning Home: Family Members

Questions

Student development theory Culture shock Re-adjustment issues Trauma adjustment 23 Framework for providing services Photo: North Dakota National Guard

Redefine self Overcome alienation from family and society Move from simplicity to complexity Replace war with another high Move beyond war and find meaning in life Come to peace w/self, spirituality and others How does this affect attending college? Redefine self Overcome alienation from family and society Move from simplicity to complexity Replace war with another high Move beyond war and find meaning in life Come to peace w/self, spirituality and others How does this affect attending college? Critical Challenges: Military Member

Why Family Members Struggle in College Lack of personal support Too many “things” to keep going “Unfriendly” policies and procedures Lack of Funds/Benefits slow to arrive Overwhelmed – too much responsibility

Why Family Members Struggle in College Not enough time “Others don’t understand” No time to focus on studies “Surviving” has a higher priority

Why Veterans struggle in College –Do not feel welcome –Overwhelmed – need to get away –Too many time conflicts –“Civilians don’t understand me” –Lack of transfer credit

Why Veterans struggle in College Want to be with others who speak “my language” Lack of personal support Too much “Confusion” “Unfriendly” policies and procedures Lack of Funds/Benefits slow to arrive

29 In a classroom setting, the following are some items faculty may observe: –Veterans may sit next to door –Loud noises can be disturbing to them –Unusual items may cause anxiety -backpacks, crumpled bags, etc. –Hyper vigilance Photo: Michigan National Guard

30 Veterans might show symptoms of: –Depression –Anxiety –Readjustment & relationship issues –High risk behaviors - chemical & substance abuse, etc. –An increased risk of suicidal tendencies –Stress reactions Photo: Michigan National Guard Just as you would with any other student, if you are concerned about an individual it is important to refer them to campus resources.

Veterans Re-Entry Education Program Goal 4: Understand the mental, physical and behavioral health needs of students who are veterans Partial funding provided by a 2008 congressionally-directed grant award, P116Z The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education nor imply endorsement by the federal government.

Minnesota colleges and universities –11 State college campuses –5 State universities –2 Private colleges –1 U of M campus 1901 veterans invited; 813 responded –42.8% vets response; 9 Minnesota State colleges and universities –7 State college campuses –2 State universities 1293 veterans invited; 522 responded –40.4% vets response; Health and Health Related Behaviors: College Student Health Survey 2009 Partial funding provided by a 2008 congressionally-directed grant award, P116Z The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education nor imply endorsement by the federal government.

2008 Health Insurance Status–Uninsured Veterans and All Students by Age Group * Insufficient data for veterans

2009 Health Insurance Status--Uninsured

2008 Current Tobacco Use Veterans and All Students by Gender

2009 Current Tobacco Use Veterans and All Students by Gender *Statistically significant..

2008 High-Risk Drinking Veterans and All Students by Gender

2009 High-Risk Drinking Veterans and All Students by Gender * Statistically significant.

2009 Marijuana Use—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Diagnosis of Any Mental Health Condition —Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Diagnosed With Panic Attacks Within Past 12 Months Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Within Past 12 Months Diagnosed Mental Health Condition—Past 12 Months Veterans by Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Service Status and Gender

Diagnosis of Any Mental Health Condition—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Depression Diagnosis—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

2009 Depression Diagnosis—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Sexual Assault—Past-12 months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Physical Fight—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Physical Fight—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

Domestic Violence—Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender

On campus… Who are our Veterans? Older students* More males* More likely to have families* Previous post-secondary education Often have leadership experience Often have several deployments Similar diversity* Similar GPA’s* * College Student Health Survey

Questions

51 Talk to the veteran if you notice….. Isolating behaviors Excessive irritability Inability to relate to peers & develop friendships Excessive absences Withdrawn behaviors Depressive behaviors & comments Hyper vigilance & anxiety Resentment Lack of focus Self-esteem & self-worth issues Photo: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Center for Teaching and Learning

52 Suggestions from a Veteran: Talk to the veteran. They may or may not be ready to talk about their experiences yet, but they all have a story to tell. Being friendly and talking goes a long way toward gaining trust. Trust is something that veterans have a hard time giving to people when they return. DO NOT be afraid of the veteran. Getting to know them and being able to identify issues in the early stages will not only help the but may make the veteran feel wanted and welcomed. Photo: Colorado Army National Guard

53 Suggestions from a Veteran: Each veteran is an individual. They may have seen heavy combat or sat in an office. DO NOT assume that you know a military person’s politics or beliefs. There are many reasons that people are in the military and almost NONE of them are political. Politics have no bearing in the military. You do what you are told regardless of political affiliation. Georgia Army National Guard

54 Suggestions from a Veteran: o Veterans are accustomed to being successful, they may also be too proud to ask for help o Let them know you can see they are struggling o Offer assistance but realize the issues may be unrelated to being a veteran o Open communication and genuine concern for their well-being goes back to “trust” Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available. Photo: Massachusetts Army National Guard

Faculty should hold the veteran to the same standard as the rest of the students. Yes, they have been to a combat zone. Yes, some of them might have seen heavy combat. The military holds them all to a high standard. The staff and faculty should too. o Veterans know pressure o Veterans know and expect a challenge o Veterans will excel and exceed standards Photo: Northland College website

Assisting Family Members Achieve Success Welcoming and safe campus environment “Space” to gather with others Vets Accurate and timely information “in appropriate amounts” Someone to “interpret” - “when needed”

Assisting Family Members Achieve Success Host Campus Family Activities: Family Nights Equipment/Automotive Repair Days Communicating to Iraq Family Photos/Open House M State Fergus Falls Campus Central Lakes College

58 Recommendations to Faculty

–Higher Education Fairness –Protections –Higher Education Veterans Assistance –Minnesota GI Bill Application fee waiver Residency policy Tuition deferral policy Credit for prior learning policy ACE Guidelines Deployment policy

Deployment Cycle Support –Coordinated with Guard and Reserve –Family Preparation Academies –Mobilization –Family Readiness Academies –De-mobilization –30-day/MIRT –60-day –1-year Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Academic Credit , Minnesota Statutes 2006 – Credit for Prior Learning Procedure , Part 3, Subpart C. – Recognize courses and award credit for a veteran’s military training or service based on ACE recommendations Fairness

SOC Principles and Criteria: Reasonable Transfer of Credit Reduced Academic Residency Credit for Military Training and Experience: Credit for Nationally-Recognized Testing Programs /

VREP Grant Goal 1 Increase the ability for colleges and universities to award credit for military training and experience. –Database to relate MOS competencies with training and education programs that is integrated with DARS, u.select (CAS)DARSu.select Partial funding provided by a 2008 congressionally-directed grant award, P116Z The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education nor imply endorsement by the federal government.

VREP Grant Goal 1 MOC*  CIP Competency  Credit * MOC (Military) = JOB (Civilian)

63B – Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic 68W – Health Care Specialist 42A – Human Resource Specialist 31B – Military Police VREP Grant Pilot Institutions

Next Steps – Spring Semester 2010 Re-engage and expand pilots 31B – Military Police 42A – Human Resource Specialist 63B - Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic 68W – Health Care Specialist VETS expansion University involvement VREP Grant Goal 1

Military Transcripts Transcripts Air Force – Community College of the Air Force Army and NG - AARTS (Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System) Navy and Marines – SMART (Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript) U.S. Coast Guard

American Council on Education (ACE)

VETS – Veterans Education Transfer System

VREP Grant Goal 2 Provide up to date, responsive training for academic credit in cooperation with the military. –Process for providing credit bearing training for military in general needs areas –Process for assessing needs/coordinating credit-bearing training pertaining to MOS –Enhance capabilities to be more “veteran friendly” Partial funding provided by a 2008 congressionally-directed grant award, P116Z The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education nor imply endorsement by the federal government.

VREP Grant Goal 3 Easily accessible electronic tools for educational and life planning –Veterans focused, on-line life planning system ( Partial funding provided by a 2008 congressionally-directed grant award, P116Z The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education nor imply endorsement by the federal government.

VREP Grant Goal 3

Education Resources MyMilitaryEducation. org Regional Coordinators Minnesota National Guard Education Office Interactive Educational Benefits Flow Chart State Education Benefits Federal Education Benefits Military Transcripts WAVE Options for Mobilized Student-Soldiers Residency Tuition Status & Tuition Deferment

Higher Education Veterans Programs Regional Coordinator Network Mission: Help colleges assist veterans, military members and their families Start College Stay in College Graduate from College MN Department of Veterans Affairs MinnesotaVeteran.orgMyMilitaryEducation.org

 Veterans Center  Servicemember Opportunity College  Student Veterans Club  Faculty and Staff Training  Family Activities  Deployment Policy  Deployment Cycle Support for Local Units  One–stop Campus Services for Veterans Veterans Friendly CampusChecklist

 Tuition, Fee and Book Deferral Policy  Actively Transfer /Recognize Credit for Prior Learning  Admissions Fee Waiver  In-State Tuition Rates—Vets & Family  Working with Local Veterans & Family Serving Agencies  Veterans Upward Bound Type Program  Provide Educational Services for Military Veterans Friendly Checklist

“Make Your Campus A Safe Landing Place” It takes a team!

Photo by CLC and BSU Student Jason Sather Making our campuses more Veterans friendly: Serving people, not politics

Questions –Steve Frantz, Ed.D. Office of the Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: OR Don Pfeffer, M.A., Higher Education Veterans Program: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs OR