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Serving the Students Who Serve “U.S.”

Serving the Students Who Serve “U.S.”. Improving a Veterans Task Force on Your Campus. New GI Bill Overview. New GI Bill (Chapter 33) or so-called “Post 9/11 GI Bill.” Full tuition and fees. New monthly housing stipend/relocation allowance. $1000 a year stipend for books and supplies.

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Serving the Students Who Serve “U.S.”

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  1. Serving the Students Who Serve “U.S.” Improving a Veterans Task Force on Your Campus

  2. New GI Bill Overview • New GI Bill (Chapter 33) or so-called “Post 9/11 GI Bill.” • Full tuition and fees. • New monthly housing stipend/relocation allowance. • $1000 a year stipend for books and supplies. • Includes Reserve and Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 access to the same GI bill benefits.

  3. Major Changes to GI Bill in 2011 • http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/index.html • Expands the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include Active Service performed by National Guard members under Title 32. • Limits active duty members to the net cost for tuition and fees prorated based on eligibility tiers (40%-100%). • Allows students to use benefits for Non-college (NCD) degree programs.

  4. Drexel Provost’s Charge • Strengthen VET-TF members’ knowledge about best practices regarding educating returning military Veterans. • Develop an official welcome program. • Alert the administration to any obstacles impeding the enrollment or retention of military Veterans. • Develop dedicated web site for Student-Veterans. • Assess Veteran students’ unique needs and develop/promote programs. • Open office dedicated to Student-Veteran Services.

  5. Drexel Provost’s Charge • Provide educational outreach about Veteran population to faculty, staff, and students to create a “Veteran friendly” campus community. • Implement program to meet Advising and mentorship needs. • Promote connections between the Veterans and current Drexel alumni, faculty and staff with military service backgrounds.

  6. Drexel University Veteran Task Force • Conducted and analyzed results from Veteran needs assessment survey in 2009 and 2010. • Launched dedicated website for Veteran students. http://www.drexel.edu/src/veterans/yellowribbon • Opened Veteran Student Services Office. • Held events as part of Veteran’s week.

  7. Veteran’s Week at Drexel University • Student Life organizations collected supplies for troops serving in Iraq & Afghanistan. • Information Fair for currently enrolled Student- Veterans. • Ceremony for the opening of the Veteran Student Services Office. • Veteran Student, Faculty, & Staff reception on Veteran’s Day

  8. Veteran’s Week at Drexel University • Letter Writing campaign sponsored by Pan-Hellenic Counsel sending letters to those serving overseas. • CEO Workshops presented by military officers. • Veterans Appreciation Night at Drexel basketball game. • Red, White, Bluelighting and Veteran’s Day flags on Drexel campus.

  9. Office of Veteran Student Services • Unlimited number of eligible military veterans to attend any DREXEL campus, online, professional, and graduate program with no-out-of pocket expenses. • Support of Student-Veterans has evolved to become a campus wide priority and every effort has been made to unify & streamline services. • The VET-TF has sought participation from staff and faculty in key areas (admissions, FINAID, academic advising, counseling, disability services and student life).

  10. “Military Friendly School” • Drexel named a “military friendly school” for the past 2 years by G.I. Jobs which is a premier media outlet for “military- transitioners.” • The list honors the top 15% of post-secondary institutions providing support for Student-Veterans. • VET-TF continues to create a welcoming, inclusive, engaging, and respectful community.

  11. Campus Tributes • Veteran’s Day events included film screening, reception, and panel discussion. • A letter writing campaign for active duty personnel was sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life. • Memorial Day Tribute & BBQ were held at the local armory. • Veterans Groups were honored as guests & future partners. • Veterans’ lounge currently under construction (will be dedicated 11/11/11).

  12. Foster Relations between Drexel & Military • Honor Veterans and newly commissioned officers during commencement. • Recognize staff, faculty, and Student-Veterans in the audience and stage party at commencement. • VET-TF sends care packages to recent alumni who are deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan. • VET-TF and ROTC department host events for returning ROTC and Veterans during annual Alumni Weekend.

  13. Educate Campus Community about Military • Create programming designed to stimulate and educate our campus community about military service. • VET-TF launched “DU remembers….will you?” campaign. • Fridays are designated as wear “red, white, and blue” days. • DU remembers red wrist-bands distributed campus-wide.

  14. Campus Partnerships • University Housing hosted a clothing and essentials drive to benefit a local Veterans’ group. • The Offices of Equality & Diversity, Drexel Archives, and Multicultural Programming co-sponsored “The Dragons Salute to Service Art and Artifacts Exhibit on Campus.” • The exhibit gallery hosted a special “Lunch and Learn: Support of Our Veterans” event which focused on sharing information & VET-TF activities with staff and faculty regarding Drexel Student-Veterans.

  15. Drexel Student Needs Assessment Survey 2010 • Survey electronically sent to 363 self-identified Student Veterans: • 41% response rate • 56.1% undergraduate. • 37.7% graduate/professional programs. • 63% enrolled in Pennsylvania based programs. • 30.1% enrolled in ONLINE programs. • 6.8% enrolled at Sacramento campus. • Overall satisfaction rating increased 21% over 2009 survey.

  16. Top 5 Support Services Requested • Assistance applying for VA benefits and information on policies that affect benefits. • Assistance with utilizing online veterans services (GI Bill website and Drexel Student Services website). • Advising for appropriate course selection to ensure compliance with Veterans’ Affairs & degree requirements. • Assistance with utilizing online course registration and the DrexelOne portal. • Additional workshops on the Yellow Ribbon Program.

  17. Counseling Services • The majority of respondents indicated that they would be unlikely to use any counseling services offered by the University. However, the percentage of respondents indicating they would use counseling services doubled from 2009. • The percentage doubled for those indicating they would seek counseling for PTSD and group counseling, even though the majority said they would not seek these resources.

  18. Disability Services • The majority of respondents indicated that they would be unlikely to use resources for documented disabilities; however, the percentage doubled from 2009 that indicated that they would be likely to use these resources. • Three times as many respondents indicated that they were interested in participating in the Veteran Student Organization as did in 2009.

  19. What Our Veterans Told US In 2010 • Limits to VA benefits and associated need for additional FINAID. • CA students indicated that access to the Veteran Student Organization was hindered by 3-hour time difference. • Need for additional orientation resources.

  20. What Our Veterans Told US In 2010 • Need for online organizations to engage online students. • Professional development opportunities. • Research opportunities in major. • In 2009, primary concerns focused mainly on VA benefit processing delays.

  21. Academic Advising • Student-Veterans focus changing to more Academic and Advising concerns. • Academic Advising emerges as one of the most critical elements contributing to Student-Veterans persistence. • Academic Advisors generally will spend more time than other administrators with Student-Veterans.

  22. Contact Information • Mark Costello Assistant Dean & Academic Advisor(215) 895-1805costelmr@drexel.edu • Chuck McNally Assistant Dean & Academic Advisor(215) 895-2620cmcnally@drexel.edu • Linda Pohl Assistant Dean & Academic Advisor(215) 895-1805lsh33@drexel.edu

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