Developing CAS Standards for Veterans and Military Programs and Services

1. Developing CAS Standards for Veterans and Military Programs and Services Douglas Franklin, Ph.D. Ohio University and Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education

2. Background Information • Assistant Dean of Students at Ohio University • Board of Directors for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) • Chaired committee for development of standards and guidelines for Veterans and Military Programs and Services (VMPS) • Authored contextual statement providing background for standards.  • USNR retiring at the rank of Commander • Activated 9/17/01 in support of GWOT and OEF

3. Presentation Objectives • Participants will gain knowledge of: • Research behind building the Standards and Guidelines • Principles associated with Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) • Elements of CAS standards including: • Contextual Statement • Standards and Guidelines • Self Assessment Guides • Participants will be provided tools to develop and assess VMPS programs

4. Examining the Field • Associations and Organizations • Institutions and State Governing Bodies • National Research • Other Resources

5. Associations and Organizations • National Association of Veteran Program Administrators (NAVPA) • American Council on Education (A.C.E.) • Student Veterans of America (SVA) • Military Friendly Institutions (GI Jobs.com) • Military Family Research Institute (Purdue University) • National Association of Veterans Upward Bound Project Personnel (NAVUBPP) • Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) • Council of College and Military Educators (CCME)

6. Institutions and State HE • Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program Steering Committee (Minnesota) • Operation Promise (New Jersey) • Ohio GI Bill (Ohio)

7. Sample of Institutions • Cleveland State University SERV • Indiana University Standards for Veterans Support Services (CAS like) • Weber State University: http://weber.edu/vetaffairs • Salt Lake Community College: http://www.slcc.edu/veterans/ • University of Alabama: http://financialaid.ua.edu/other/va.html • San Diego State University: http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/veterans/ • South Florida: http://www.veterans.usf.edu/ • Cuyahoga Community College: http://www.tri.edu/pathways/Pages/veterans.aspx

8. Research • Transitions…Ackerman, DiRamio, Garza Mitchell ‘09 • Disabled vets in transition …DiRamio, Spires ‘09) • Laws That Serve Servicemembers and Student Veterans…McGrevey, Kehrer ‘09 • Colleges develop programs (USA Today)…Zoroya ‘09 • Needs of women veterans…Baechtold, Sawal ‘09 • Struggling to fit in…Brown ‘09

9. Research • Mobilization of guardsman and reservists…Bauman ‘09 • Statewide approach…Lokken, Pfeffer, McAuley, Strong ‘09 • From soldier to student…A.C.E. Cook, Kim ‘09 • What the new GI bill means for H.E., A.C.E. ‘09 • Student vets associations… Summerlot, Green, Parker ‘09 • GI Bill brings challenges, Lum ‘09

10. Research: Soldier to Student • Overview of Institutional Programs and Services for Veterans • Programs and Services by Level of Enrollment • Programs and Services by Presence of a Dedicated Office for Veterans • Results from Focus Groups of Military Students Results from Soldier to Student

11. Research: Survey of NAVPA • Importance factors related to: • Formalized systems and processes • Office and meeting space • Employment of at least one full time employee to serve as single-point-of-contact • Providing services and programs to support veterans. • Establishing a referral system NAVPA Survey Results

12. Criteria: Military Friendly Institutions (MFI) • Discounted Tuition for Military and Dependents • Generous Transfer Credit Policies • Yellow Ribbon Schools • In-State Tuition Waivers • Dedicated Veteran Counselors and Staff • Special Policies for Deployments • Accreditation • Student Veteran Groups • Flexible Attendance and Scheduling Options • Understanding that not all Students are 18 Years Old and Single

13. Criteria for Standards: A.C.E. • Veteran-Friendly Institutions • Publish concise information on transfer credit for military experience • Build a strong web presence • Give veterans a voice • Establish specific points of contact • Take a community-based approach (American Council on Education, 2008)

14. Criteria: Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) • Reasonable Transfer of Credit • Reduced Academic Residency • Credit for Military Training and Experience • Credit for Nationally-Recognized Testing Programs • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) • DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) • Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) “…created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to servicemembers who, because they frequently moved from place to place, had trouble completing college degrees. SOC functions in cooperation with 15 higher education associations, the DOD, and Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services to expand and improve voluntary postsecondary education opportunities ... “

15. Criteria for Standards: Student Veterans Association • Develop a Task Force • Application Fees, Tuition Rates, Admission Procedures, Enrollment, Registration, Transfer of Military Credit, Return from Active-duty Status, Deactivation • Support a Student Veterans Organization • Create a Veteran’s Office • Set up Space • Develop Online & Print Resources • Establish Partnerships • Educate Administration, Faculty & Students • Converge all Resources in 1 Place • Evaluate Organizational Success

16. Criteria: A.C.E. Walmart Grant • Create online veterans-specific orientation programs, • Expand on-campus veterans service centers, • Enhance prospective student outreach efforts, • Increase capacity for counseling and psychological services.

17. Criteria: Part T- Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success • Single Point of Contact (Coordinator) • Establish a veterans support team • Monitor enrollment, persistence and completion rates • Sustainability plan • Outreach and recruitment • Personal and academic support • Assistance in obtaining financial aid • Housing support • Offer programs and activities to support transition • Cultural, academic, orientation • Advising and admissions counseling with military installations • Support student vets organizations http://www2.ed.gov/programs/cevss/index.html

18. Best or Good Practice-Leadership & Human Resources • Single Point of Contact (POC) • Designate a highly visible office with appropriate staff • Coordinate services • Provide advice • Create programming • Advocate for students with issues related to their military experiences and student status • Educate faculty and staff about veterans issues • Develop a veterans web page

19. Best or Good Practice: Campus and External Relations • Create a referral system • Registrar • Student Financial Aid Office • Library • Residential Housing Office • Disability Services • Academic Advancement Center • Information Technology • Student Health Center • Counseling and Psychological Services • Admissions • Bursar • Student Affairs • Combat Veterans Club (SVA) • Academic Advising • University Parking Services Photo: San Diego State University Veterans Center

20. Best or Good Practice: Student Development • Facilitate peer‐to‐peer interaction • Designation of space for gathering and networking • Sponsorship of a student club or organization • Develop transition and orientation programs • Women’s Center awareness and outreach to female veterans Photo by SPC Samantha R. Ciaramitaro

21. Best or Good Practice: Institutional Education • Professional development • Provide education for faculty, staff and students • Develop and communicate administrative policies and procedures to cover the unique situations and experiences of students who are service members or veterans

22. Best or Good Practice: Process • Create policy and procedures for veterans • students departing for or returning from deployment or other military duty • Withdrawal and/or course completion procedures for students called for military duty • Absence policies related to military duty Fee deferments for students when education benefits are delayed

23. Best or Good Practice: Process • Fee refund procedures for military withdrawals • Communication with deployed students • Returning procedures following deployment • Sensitive consideration for surviving family members of students who died during service • Resolution of grades from the student’s final semester and potential posthumous award of degree

24. Best or Good Practice: Admissions • Credit articulation for military training and experience • Priority for evaluation of military transfer credit • Protect military/veterans from being dropped for non-payment if benefits have not been received. • Withdrawal process for military students • Guide for military credit • Priority registration for active military/veterans

25. Best or Good Practice: Disability Services, Counseling and Mental Health • Personalized services for veterans • Knowledgeable about the counseling, advising, and potential health care needs • Contacts within the VA for mental health referral sources for veterans

26. Best or Good Practice: Financial Aid • Guide for the GI Bill • Scholarship promotion specific to veterans and wounded soldiers • Liaison with state veterans representative

27. Reviewers • Robert Ackerman, University of Nevada Las Vegas • Karen Agee, University of North Iowa and CAS • Derek Blumke, Student Veterans Association • Terry Carr, University of Louisville • Dave DiRamio, Auburn University • Shafton Dunkin, Eastern Michigan University & NAVPA • John Mikelson, University of Iowa • Sarah Minnis, Texas A&M University • Pat Perfetto, University of Maryland and CAS • William Smith, University of Missouri- Kansas City • Kathy Snead, Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges • Johann Sprenger, University of Nevada-Reno • R.K. Williams, Boise State University and NAVPA

28. Council for the Advancement of Standards • Founded 1979 • 36 professional organizations • Promote standards related to student service providers • Standards focus on quality and developed in a consensus-oriented, collaborative environment • Board of Directors comprised of member associations reps. • Published First Book of Standards 1986 “…a consortium of professional associations who work collaboratively to develop and promulgate standards and guidelines and to encourage self-assessment.” CAS Mission, 2009

29. CAS Principle: Self-Regulation & Self-Assessment “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Confucius Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

30. VMPS Standards and Guidelines • Three parts to the Standards • Contextual Statement- • Standards and Guidelines • Self Assessment Guides

31. VMPS Standards-Contextual Statement • Early America • Rehabilitation Law World War I • Servicemembers Readjustment Acts (GI Bill, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Montgomery) • Draft and the Total Force Concept • GWOT, Iraq and Afghanistan • Organizations

32. VMPS Standards and Guidelines • CAS Terminology • Functional Area (VMPS etc.) • Parts or Sections • Boiler Plate • Standard (Must) • Guideline (Should or may) • Components for rating • Quality assurance • Compliance

33. Uses of the CAS Standards • Design of new programs & services • Measuring effectiveness • Self-studies • Preparation for accreditation • Academic preparation and staff development • Credibility and accountability “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” Steve Jobs US computer engineer & industrialist (1955 - )

34. VMPS Standards: Parts • Mission • Program • Leadership • Human Resources • Ethics • Legal Responsibilities • Equity and Access • Diversity • Organization & Management • Campus and External Relations • Financial Resources • Technology • Facilities & Equipment • Assessment & Evaluation Standards provide a framework for practice

35. VMPS Standards • Mission • Program • Leadership • Human Resources • Ethics • Legal Responsibilities • Equity and Access • Diversity • Organization & Management • Campus and External Relations • Financial Resources • Technology • Facilities & Equipment • Assessment & Evaluation Why are we here and how do we know if we’ve done well?

36. VMPS Standards • Mission • Program • Leadership • Human Resources • Ethics • Legal Responsibilities • Equity and Access • Diversity • Organization & Management • Campus and External Relations • Financial Resources • Technology • Facilities & Equipment • Assessment & Evaluation How we work, treat and communicate with each other and our community?

37. VMPS Standards • Mission • Program • Leadership • Human Resources • Ethics • Legal Responsibilities • Equity and Access • Diversity • Organization & Management • Campus and External Relations • Financial Resources • Technology • Facilities & Equipment • Assessment & Evaluation How do we organize to provide services? People, Process, and Props

38. VMPS Standards: Mission Boilerplate • VMPS must: • develop, disseminate, implement, and regularly review their mission. • Mission statements must be consistent with the mission of the institution and with professional standards (and) enhance (the) overall educational experiences by incorporating student learning and development outcomes...

39. VMPS Standards: Mission Functional Area Specific • VMPS must: • provide, facilitate, or coordinate programs and services for student veterans, military service members, and their family members. • Family members include veterans’ and service members’ spouses/partners and children as well as survivors of veterans. • identify student veterans and military service members and establish a community that connects and supports this population.

40. VMPS Standards: Program • VMPS must assist student veterans, military service members and their family members with: • transitionsfrom military service to higher education • issues related to deployment of active duty students or call up for students affiliated with National Guard and Reserve Units • integration into institutions and campus life • reintegration following activation • establishment of procedures to facilitate progress toward educational goals Focus on Transition

41. VMPS Standards: Program • VMPS must • collaborate with key departments to streamline campus administrative procedures for student veterans and military service members, particularly those preparing for or returning from deployments. • provide support and advisement for student veteran organizations and veteran advisory groups on campus. Focus on Process

42. VMPS Standards: Program • VMPS must: • provide, directly or in collaboration with other institutional units, education and training for faculty and staff on issues relevant to student veterans, military service members, and their family members. • work with the veteran certifying official and make available certifying paperwork for student veterans, military service members, and their family members for all applicable educational benefits. Focus on Integration and Collaboration

43. VMPS Standards: Campus and External Relations • VMPS must reach out to relevant individuals, campus offices, and external agencies to: • establish, maintain, and promote effective relations • disseminate information about their own and other related programs and services • coordinate and collaborate, where appropriate, in offering programs and services • promote their achievement of student learning and development outcomes Focus on Integration and Collaboration

44. VMPS Standards: Campus and External Relations Standard • VMPS must: • work with the office of admissions to coordinate and address the needs and issues of student veterans, military members, and their matriculated family members. • VMPS should: • advocate forthe inclusion of questions on the admission application regarding anticipated status at the time of enrollment – active duty, veteran, member of the Guard or reserve, or military dependent. • advocate for consideration of military experience and training in admissions decisions. Guideline

45. VMPS Standards: Leadership Focus on Knowledge • VMPS must: • be knowledgeable about and responsive to the needs and experiences of student veterans, military service members, and their family members. • advisedecision-makers and advocate for institutional policies and procedures that address these issues. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Peter Drucker

46. VMPS Standards: Human Resources • Staffing to accomplish the mission • Selection and hiring criteria • Training and supervision “The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.” Robert Frost US poet (1874 - 1963)

47. VMPS Standards: Ethics • Integrity • Principles of behavior “Members pledge to do no harm; collaborate with others for the good of those served, interact in ways that promote positive outcomes; create environments conducive to the growth and development of the whole person, and exercise role responsibilities in a manner respecting the rights of others” CAS Ethical Code

48. VMPS Standards: Legal Responsibilities • Laws, regulations and institutional policies • Risk Management • Emergency and Critical Incidence Response • Laws specific to Veterans and Military Rights “Good laws have their origins in bad morals.” AmbrosiusMacrobius

49. VMPS Standards: Equity and Access • Fair, equitable, and non discriminatory treatment for all • Compliance with equity laws • Distance learning students “If you believe that discrimination exists, it will.” Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

50. VMPS Standards: Diversity • Inclusion • Identity, culture and heritage “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” John F. Kennedy 35th president of US 1961-1963 (1917 - 1963)