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S upportive E ducation for the R eturning V eteran Helping Ohio’s Best, Brightest and Bravest get their degree By J

S upportive E ducation for the R eturning V eteran Helping Ohio’s Best, Brightest and Bravest get their degree By John Schupp SERV Director, Cleveland State University. The Reality. 1,861,926 Deployed veterans since 9/11 257,582 Currently Deployed 1,342,272 Active Duty

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S upportive E ducation for the R eturning V eteran Helping Ohio’s Best, Brightest and Bravest get their degree By J

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  1. Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran Helping Ohio’s Best, Brightest and Bravest get their degree By John Schupp SERV Director, Cleveland State University

  2. The Reality 1,861,926 Deployed veterans since 9/11 257,582 Currently Deployed 1,342,272 Active Duty 519,654 Guard/Reserve Less than 1% of the population have protected the other 99% 288,952 veterans on America’s Campuses today 15% of total available- Less than 1 in 5 attend college! If you find the right program, they will be on your campus SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  3. Learning Community for veterans Basic Needs for a Learning Community Success From The Cohort/Group… Share common origin- All military based experiences Share common goal- All want to finish the education mission Be an Under-served demographic Large % of GI Bill eligible veterans did not use their benefits Have the potential to build group camaraderie The Military has created this Camaraderie for the learning comm. SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  4. 1985-1994 GI Bill eligible Vets 52,000 of 641,000 eligible veterans (8%) used all of GI Bill* 2008 GI Bill data Less than 6%** use it completely Avg less than 17 months used of 36 months eligible Department of Education, 1995-2001*** 30% of all College Freshmen get 4-yr degree in 5yrs or less 3% of College freshmenvets get 4-year degree in 5yrs or less Veterans only have 36 months of GI Bill money why the L.C. is needed *http://chronicle.com ; Section: Students Volume 51, Issue 36, Page A31 **Keith Wilson, VA Education Secretary, ACE Summit Georgetown University Jun 6 2008 ***The Soldier and the Student By Aaron Glantz in ‘The Nation’ November 27, 2007 SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  5. They did use it at one time, what worked back then? Shows success of military ‘at risk’ group Success was/is environment based 32% 20% 12% 9% The Demography of U.S. Veterans: Changing Military Staffing Policy, Risk of Service, and Human Capital for Black and White Men, 1950 – 2000 Amy Kate Bailey, Department of Sociology, University of Washington West Coast Poverty Center Dissertation Fellow SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  6. Reasons for low usage rate First Day walking onto the Campus- Don’t know where to go, who to talk to Registration Admission requirements-may not qualify Counseling How ready are they for campus life Financial Up front costs, books, cost of living Classes/Curriculum Trying to fit in-dealing with the ‘freshmen question’ SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  7. What the veteran brings home What the Soldier Brings Home Heightened sensory awareness of sights, sounds & smells. Identification and closeness with their military unit Regimentation into highly structured and efficient routines. Reconnecting with friends more difficult than expected. Difficulties arise in trying to generate a “new normal” Life at home/campus may not have the edge and adrenaline associated with wartime duty These qualities insured survival during the war, but may not work in the classroom SERV Proprietary and Confidential Edgardo Padin-Rivera, Ph.D. Chair, PTSD Experts Workgroup Ohio VA Health Care NetworkChief, Psychology Service Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

  8. First day on campus Personal walk-thru by other vets on campus Paperwork One contact handles Registrars, Admissions, Bursar, Financial Solved with new Post 9/11 GI Bill Counseling Bringing the VA to the campus Classes-Transition to Civilian/Campus Life Create a more ‘vet friendly’ environment in the classroom Offer vets only sections of General Ed. Classes University Transition Solutions with SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  9. Focuses on their strengths Military ‘at risk’ group Individuals who have succeeded with Goal Setting Missions accomplished daily Discipline Takes Orders/direction Respect for authority Motivation Volunteered to Serve their country Self-Responsibility Can survive on own Does not blame others Camaraderie Generating success within their unit

  10. Disability Services focuses on their weaknesses Typical ‘at risk’ group-weaknesses Concentration in class Individual based Corrected by recording class lecture Test Taking Individual based Corrected by taking test alone Campus Facilities Individual based Corrected with campus maps, guides, etc Trying to fit in Individual based Corrected with campus counseling Military ‘at risk’ group-weaknesses Concentration in class Environment based Corrected with Test Taking Environment based Corrected with Trying to fit in Environment based Corrected with Finding a new ‘normal’ Individual based Corrected with Corrected with VA on campus Dealing with adrenaline rush Individual based Corrected with VA on campus Veterans will not be part of a program if it looks, smells, acts like it came from disability services

  11. Ability to concentrate when taking exams Environment distractions very high Concentration on questions very low Exam scores are low-Grades drop-Vet drops out How to improve concentration on exams Minimize environmental distractions Remove civilians from the environment Guardian mode drops-Vets feel more comfortable Memory/recall improves-Scores/Confidence Improves #1 reason for Low Veteran Success SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  12. the civilian/campus transition Created Vets only ‘Gen Ed’ Sections as an option English 101, Math 101, Science 101 Support for vets, not isolation 12 credit hrs (full time benefits) ‘vets only’ 1st semester 9 credit hrs, ‘vets only’ classes 2nd semester Forced to take 3 more credit hrs in civilian classes Track progress of Vets in the classes Can watch/teach them as a group- Confidence improves-Transition to civilian life improves Civilian transition occurs slowly While they are taking college credit classes SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  13. -Results 1st Semester, Spring 2008 4 classes- History 201, Chemistry 101 , Biology 106, Math 087 Chemistry difficult without the math background The Students Chemistry-14 started out 10 finished with C’s or better 2 had medical withdraws 1 had family withdraw 1 joined a fraternity…… Retention Rate All ten went on to Summer 2008 71% freshmen retention rate-vs 72-77% avg for Ohio No test anxiety reported on First exam in Chemistry SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  14. Results 2nd Semester Fall 2008 Four Classes, started with 25 different students total- Had 85% attendance rates Intro to Biology (BIO 106) English 085 (Remedial)-Most Challenging-have to read, recall & comment Math 087 (Remedial) Intro to College Life (ASC 101) Intro to Bio- 16 students initially-1 dropped, 1 failed, 14 have ‘C’ or better- 87.5% English 085 12 students intially-2 failed,10 have Satisfactory grade- 83.3% Math 087 10 students initially-9 have satisfactory grade – 90.0% Intro to College Life 12 students initially- 11 have passed with ‘C’ or better- 91.7% 23 different students going on to Spring Semester- 92.0% SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  15. Results 3rd Semester Spring 2009 23 from Fall ‘08 taking Spring classes 18 new students for Spring 2009 Four Classes 41 different students total- English 101- 15 students total, 8 new students Intro to Psychology 12 students, 4 new Intro to Chemistry and the lab All have completed the math 088 course or math placement 26 students in both lab and lecture 37/41 students will go on to Summer/Fall 2009- 90% SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  16. vets enrolled in Classes Fall 2009* projected based on new recruits from Dec 08 to present SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  17. Overall CSU vet population with * * * Slight increase from Fall ‘07 to Spring ‘08, Significant increase Fall ‘08-Spring ‘09 (Most campuses see a civilian drop in these numbers from Fall to Spring) Fall 2009 numbers as of May 2009 SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  18. overall results • Increase # of vets in classes every semester • Increased overall veteran population on campus • Not all CSU campus vets are in classes • Less than 100 in Fall 2005, to nearly 400 in spring 2009 • VA supports and recognizes it as a model program for returning veterans • This helps with recruiting

  19. Good program created, recognized • There are many model vet programs available • Check the list of the initial ACE/Wal-Mart awardees • Select the one that you feel you can do best • Convince your campus to adopt a similar type of program • Follow the lead of other models • Easier to modify than create • Get backing from the campus administration • Have to show local veteran groups that the campus is serious • Vets know the difference between a ‘feel good’ act and the real thing

  20. How to get support from the campus administration Garner Support from people in 3 departments Registrars They need to admit them, and review their applications Treasury They need to know the economic impact They will listen to you and think ‘it’s a good, warm fuzzy idea’ They will act when you show them the financial impact Faculty Find those that have served and are GI Bill grads They may teach for free in the early going SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  21. How to get Treasury to move Vets have guaranteed tuition dollars Not mom/dad money, Not Student loan, pay back someday money Present financial institutions stability may change this availability Private Universities can now compete New GI Bill opens doors to more institutions Community Colleges will be impacted No longer the ‘monthly stipend for all expenditures’ Direct Bill to campus changes need for up front payment Find the number of vets in your region Show the potential financial impact with % of vets attending SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  22. recruiting How to get them and keep them on your campus • Before you start to recruit • You need a good veteran program • You need to get support (non-binding support) • From local veteran programs, the local VA • Official university documentation showing university support • You need to identify your potential market • How many post 9/11 veterans in the area • How many are on campus right now? • If X% of the available market was recruited • Does this income support the program • Grants/outside funding can start it, • Sustainability depends upon the customers

  23. How to Recruit cont’d • Methods of Recruiting veterans • Freshmen/Adult Learners approach does not work • Whole different demographic • Different way of thinking • Focus on One on one, not groups • Focus on support personnel of veterans • Understand the reason why they enlisted • This gives you a glimpse into who they are • 1% of the population who have chosen to defend the other 99%

  24. College/University Support

  25. University support SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  26. State or local legislature Does not have to be financial in nature, just a letter of support/recognition helps

  27. Local legislature and university support can then be shown to local VA officials in community Recognized by the VA in Washington SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  28. Local VA support grows to other vet departments/programs SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  29. SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  30. How the pre-military veteran thinks • Why they signed up • Majority of the 1,861,926 post 9-11 vets enlisted for 2 reasons • They wanted to do something when we were attacked on 9/11 • Small town USA women and men wanting to protect their families & neighbors • Didn’t know what to do when the graduated from High School • They knew they weren’t ready for college…but… what else is there to do? • Felt they were not ready for College…..yet • This shows the maturity of the veteran.

  31. How the post-military veteran thinks • Where do they go from here? • Many of the 1,861,926 post 9-11 veterans enlisted for life • They wanted to be in for 20yrs • After 3-4 years, politics of the military made them leave • This is troubling, because the military gave them security • Always had your day planned, knew who was in charge • Difficult to leave the women and men in their unit • They trusted each other with their lives • Friendship and trust not found in civilian world • Now what to do with the rest of their lives? • Who can they trust?; Who can they depend upon? • Veterans are very cautious of civilians because of this experience

  32. What the post military veteran is exposed to • Civilian World • Much Less Order • Day is not planned by someone else • No daily ‘mission’, no daily recognition of ‘mission accomplished’ • People/organizations wanting to help • Vets are over-whelmed by ‘do gooders’ • Those who want to ‘Help the Soldiers’ because it makes them feel good to do so. • They are cautious of those organizations who want to take their GI Bill money to become ‘locksmiths’ or other quick easy certificates • Family and loved ones • Pressure to go to college because they promised their families • Parents bought into the military choice; ‘money for college’ • Not sure if they can handle college after many years out of high school • No one else understands them except for other OEF/OIF veterans

  33. and your local VA center • VA supports a type program • Difficult/costly to find OEF/OIF vets in outer regions of VA service area • If vets are attracted to a campus with a vet friendly program • They will go to the campus • If VA is on campus they can see more vets • Improves efficiency of the VA • If VA is on campus more vets will attend the campus • Easier to get their questions answered between classes • Vs driving/waiting for hours among the ‘old vets’ at the VA

  34. Veteran seeks counseling only after it is needed Referred to by spouse, family, law enforcement Many times after problems have arose Instructor observes vet/student daily Rather than once/month with VA appts Level of involvement can be determined early Respecting confidentiality Intervention can occur before big problems arise Why the VA supports a type program SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  35. Why the VA supports a type program • Today’s campus very multi-cultural • students are from region where the vet has served • Veteran comes into contact with many cultures • More so than any job could do • Veteran begins to adjust to the cultures • The different culture student is just a student, not a threat • Veteran gets used to this slowly over a period of months • May not adjust if their environment does not create this opportunity • This did not happen after previous wars!

  36. Improves VA and OEF/OIF contact Have VA rep be on college campus 1 day/week Designated hours Vets know the day (s) and time (s) ahead of time Have office set aside for VA representative Vets can see the VA rep in-between classes VA rep can see 4 different campuses/week 1 day to report to Main Veteran office VA rep can be from 4 different VA areas Counseling, Medical, Benefits, education One day/month vet students visit the VA dept of their choice Why the VA supports a type program SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  37. and Ohio’s VA efficiency Among all 1.86M separated OIF/OEF Veterans • 40% (347,750) obtained VA care since FY 2002 • 96% (333,000) seen as outpatients only • 4% (14,700) hospitalized at least once • This constitutes: • 41% former active duty troops • 39% National Guard and Reserve troops • Over 11,000 OIF/OEF veterans seen in Ohio. • 56,998 total deployed in Ohio since 9/11- • Only ~1/5 oh Ohio’s OEF vets have visited the VA Edgardo Padin-Rivera, Ph.D. Chair, PTSD Experts Workgroup Ohio VA Health Care NetworkChief, Psychology Service Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

  38. Total for all four Ohio VA medical centers • $956 million total Budget • 1,593,356 total unique patients • 7,583 combined FTE’s • 476 Physicians, 1,553 nurses • Average of 210 unique patients/FTE • **Unique Patients are ALL patients, from WWII to OEF/OIF

  39. OEF/OIF Veterans and Ohio’ VA • 56,998 Ohio OEF/OIF veterans deployed since 9/11 • Only ~11,000 have visited Ohio’s VA centers since 9/11 • Less than 1 in 5 OEF/OIF veterans visited Ohio’s VA’s • 7,583 FTE’s from all Ohio’s VA centers • 476 Physicians, 1,553 nurses • 5,554 non medical VA employees • Support Staff, LISW, Outreach personnel, etc • 11,000 OEF/OIF veterans/5,554 FTE staff • 1.9 OEF/OIF veterans per FTE

  40. VA impact on Northeastern Ohio • Present Vet campus population • One VA rep Visit 4 campuses • Monday • Lorain County Community-~200 vets • Tuesday • Cleveland State-345 vets • Wednesday • Akron University-574 vets • Thursday • Cuyahoga Community-705 vets, three campuses • One VA rep has seen 1,824 vets in one week • 1,824/FTE when having the VA being on campus • 1.9/FTE when staying in the VA offices • This improved ratio is the force that makes your local VA want to work with your campus!

  41. What not to do (What I Did 1st) Hold a ‘veteran fair’ Vets call them ‘loser fairs’ Lots of people = suicide bomber Use Mass media approach Costly Flooding the area for a small % of the population Don’t believe the media Based on what they have seen while in Iraq Mass e-mails or letters Will ignore the e-mails Place the letters in the ‘Do gooder’ pile What to do (What I did 2nd) Reach them on a 1 on 1 basis Eliminate fear of mass of people Use military friendly media/events Parades, Military Times, etc Reach the parents of vets Parent support groups ‘THE’ Brochure Use other OEF/OIF on your campus to accompany you Vets will believe other vets Have local VA get the word out They come into contact everyday with OEF/OIF vets Use National Guard 360 briefings Can reach guard troops as a group Now, How to reach them Most Important, how many in our area, how many can we reach?

  42. Active Duty Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard They come back home individually Harder to find in the general population National Guard/Reserve They come home as a unit Easier to address them when they come home Guard Has ‘briefings’ every 30,60 and 90 days Military sponsored Easier to address many at one time as a group Difficult for a campus to get into these briefings Very little time during these weekend events Two types of veterans to recruit SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  43. Total Deployed by State- Active Duty +Guard/ Reservesince December 2008 8,185 10,110 57,109 10,927 4,476 22,910 5,268 19,832 73,279 22,738 52,650 10,587 5,079 10,877 25,049 16,319 162,213 16,426 6,380 12,819 56,988 69,573 68,203 38,308 11,405 14,533 24,862 12,101 30,044 22,058 49,179 17,084 35,156 18,165 43,578 19,899 53,047 9,254 24,513 29,276 27,635 30,925 11,687 47,319 21,107 32,981 233,099 27,856 180,032 SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  44. 3,146 2,789 12,335 2,845 2,072 11,538 2,519 9,165 19,956 5,370 12,154 3,820 2,815 3,451 10,853 8,113 35,926 2,818 1,524 4,634 18,175 20,622 15,850 9,998 5,208 4,841 9,900 6,989 12,628 6,258 19,129 7,683 11,684 18,165 15,192 9,842 12,058 5,100 10,132 7,985 10,295 13,544 3,048 16,459 10,742 2,752 30,641 10,254 20,053 Total Deployed by State- Guard/Reserve, since 12/08 2,125 SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  45. 5,039 7,321 44,774 8,082 2,404 11,372 2,749 10,667 53,323 17,368 40,496 10,587 2,264 7,426 14,196 8,206 126,287 13,608 4,856 8,185 38,813 48,951 52,353 28,310 6,197 9,962 14,962 5,112 17,416 15,800 30,050 9,401 23,472 10,494 28,386 10,057 40,989 4,154 14,181 22,291 17,340 17,381 8,369 30,860 10,365 30,229 202,458 17,602 159,979 Total Deployed by State- Active Duty, since 12/08 2,560 SERV Proprietary and Confidential

  46. How to find the veterans within your state? • How many are on campus already? • Is our state Vet friendly? Which one’s aren’t? • has extensive database • Number of veterans in ‘Top 500 Vet Friendly’ campuses • Number of veterans deployed by county • Deployed veterans most likely ones who need • has data for every county t/out country

  47. Top Vet Friendly colleges in Ohio

  48. Top Vet Friendly colleges in Indiana Data from the IAVA ‘Top 500’ Spring 2008

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