Talking Stick - November/December 2009 - 40

Military Matriculation snapshot of the programs, services, and policies in place on U.S. campuses to serve veterans and military personnel, and it identifies those areas where additional progress is needed. Based on data from 723 institutions of higher education, the report finds that 57 percent of responding institutions currently provide programs and services specifically for military personnel and veterans. “Our findings suggest that institutions are increasingly aware of the complex needs of veterans and military personnel pursuing postsecondary education programs and are concerned with how best to meet those needs,” says SOC Consortium President Kathy M. Snead. “The fact that 60 percent of responding institutions view veterans programs and services as part of their long-term strategic plans speaks volumes about higher education’s receptivity and commitment to our service members and veterans.” While we know that campuses are increasingly aware of this unique student population, the survey also confirms the results of my earlier informal survey and my gut reaction in returning from the European Command: In many ways, colleges and universities still are not ready to serve returning veterans and service members. While many campuses have a liaison for veterans, more training is needed to prepare faculty and staff for interacting with this population. percent coordinate and refer students to off-campus services when necessary. • Providing financial accommodations for military students who are called to active duty. A large number, 79 percent, have an established policy for refunding tuition for military activations and deployments. • Assisting military veterans with their education benefits. Many of these institutions, 82 percent, provide counseling on Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits for military students. How Needs Are Presently Being Met: According to the report, higher education is meeting the needs of military students in many areas. (Numbers are percentages of those respondents having services for military personnel and veterans.) • Recognizing prior military experience. Many of these institutions, 81 percent, award college credit for military training. • Assisting military students with finding appropriate counseling services. Of campus counseling centers at these institutions, 85 What Still Needs to be Done: Despite the substantial progress made in serving military students, there are still many areas in which higher education can improve its efforts. • Assisting military students with their transition to the college environment. Only 22 percent of these institutions provide transition assistance. Welcome Home to College Study reveals that the new G.I. Bill will lead to increased enrollment of military undergraduates. The new G.I. Bill, formally known as the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, went into effect on August 1, 2009. The bill was just the latest step in campuses planning for the expected influx of veterans who can take advantage of the more generous, flexible benefits in the new G.I. Bill. A recent survey looks at how higher education institutions may be impacted by an influx of military undergraduates. The report, “Military Service Members and Veterans in Higher Education: What the New GI Bill May Mean for Postsecondary Institutions” (www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/CPA/Publications/MilService.errata.pdf), was conducted by the American Council on Education’s Centers for Policy Analysis and Lifelong Learning. Among the findings are the following: • Military undergraduates are older than traditional-aged college students; 85 percent are 24 years old or older. • Military undergraduates are more likely to be non-white than are traditional undergraduates. • While women are only 7 percent of all U.S. veterans, they make up 27 percent of military undergraduates. • In 2007-08, military undergraduates represented 4 percent of all undergraduates in higher education institutions. That percentage may rise in the coming year. • In 2007-08, many (43 percent) attended public two-year colleges, while 21 percent attended public four-year colleges. • During this period, 47 percent pursued associate degrees; 42 percent pursued bachelor’s degrees. • Not surprisingly, receiving benefits affected whether military undergraduates attended full time (23 percent in 2007-08) or part time (37 percent). The number of military undergraduates attending full time may go up this year, thanks to the more generous benefits of the new G.I. Bill. 0 Talking STick

http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/CPA/Publications/MilService.errata.pdf

Talking Stick - November/December 2009

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