Veteran and Military Affiliated Students at UTSA - University of Texas at San … · 2018-11-30 ·...
Transcript of Veteran and Military Affiliated Students at UTSA - University of Texas at San … · 2018-11-30 ·...
Military Affiliated Students bring unique life experiences to our campus environment which enhance the diversity of every classroom and enrichment activity they are involved in. This population is nontraditional in the truest sense and your role as a faculty or staff member is vital to their success. This module will assist in providing you the information you need to understand the military affiliated student better. Together, we can successfully assist this population in making the transition from military service to our academic community at UTSA.
Veteran and Military Affiliated Students at UTSA
RECOGNIZE COLLABORATE UNDERSTANDCOMMUNICATECULTURE CONTACT REFERENCESSUPPORT
Dependents Veterans, Active Duty, Reserve & Guard ROTC
Military Affiliated Population
2,428 1,269 327
RECOGNIZING THE MILITARY COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS
of
2016 UTSA VETERAN AND MILITARYAFFILIATED POPULATION
4,024Enrolledat UTSA
4%VETS, ACTIVE DUTY,
UTSA Total Population
14% of UTSA’s Student Population
is comprised of VETS, ACTIVE
DUTY, RESERVE & GUARD,
their DEPENDENTS, and ROTC
are
* UTSA Office of Institutional Research. (2016). Fall 2016 military-connected population. Unpublished Internal Research Report, November, 2016.
RESERVE & GUARD
Veteran Services Advisory Committee
VetSuccess on Campus
Student Veteran Association
Veteran Certification Office
THE PILLARS OF SUPPORT
WHO WE ARE
OUR FOCUS
TARGETED SUPPORT
The Veterans Services Advisory Committee is a formal presidential standing committee formed in 2011 that consists of representatives from key departments across campus.
The main focus of VSAC is to assist veterans in making a seamless transition from military service to the UTSA community by providing a military-friendly campus environment that directs student veterans toward a degree, certificate, or program completion.
VSAC has established six subcommittees to reflect the commitment made by UTSA in serving its veterans and their families.
VETERAN SERVICES ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
VETSUCCESS ON CAMPUS
WHO WE ARE
OUR FOCUS
TARGETED SUPPORT
The VetSuccess On Campus program is a collaborative effort between the Universi-ty of Texas at San Antonio and the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs to ensure a supportive on campus environment for student veterans.
The main focus is to assist UTSA student veterans in navigating through college as well as helping our veterans to secure gainful employment after graduation. This is done with the help of two senior VA vocational rehabilitation counselors.
Providing guidance with regard to a variety of services such as healthcare benefits, vocational rehab, career and readjustment counseling, disability compensation, life insurance, etc.
STUDENT VETERAN
ASSOCIATION
WHO WE ARE
OUR FOCUS
TARGETED SUPPORT
The Student Veteran Association is open to all veterans, active duty, students, faculty, and staff at UTSA.
The main focus is to serve and advocate for the student veterans and their family members to foster Esprit De Corps among our members.
Provides comprehensive information, support, networking, professional opportunities, mentoring programs, academic support, and guidance to aid veterans and their families in their intellectual and professional pursuits at UTSA.
VETERAN
OFFICECERTIFICATION
WHO WE ARE
OUR FOCUS
TARGETED SUPPORT
UTSA Certification Officers go through extensive training as well as attend multiple conferences in order to stay current with legislative issues and changes within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The main focus is to serve our students in the most effective and efficient way possible so they may achieve their educational goals.
Ensure that eligible UTSA students receive their federal educational benefits, send certifications of enrollment to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of the students and act as a liaison for the Student Veterans Association on campus.
THE UNIQUE CULTURE AND ATTRIBUTES OF STUDENT VETERANS
Less than 1% of those in the United States actually volunteer to serve in the military.
Powerful dedication and solid bond to their brothers and sisters in the profession.
Goal oriented, motivated and mission focused, strong sense of teamwork.
Have broad life and cultural experiences, global perspectives.
Reluctant to ask for help or show weakness, conditioned to do it all and not complain.
Accustomed to a very structured environment, clear hierarchy and chain of command.
Take their roles seriously whether it is in the military or as a student.
Usually more mature, many are older than the average age of most transfer students.
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENT VETERANS
• Uniforms present sense of identity• Strong common beliefs & values
• Takes pride in independent thinking• Different goals
Academ avsMILITARYBRIDGING THE GAP
Embrace the diversity that veterans bring to the campus.
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENT VETERANS
Academ avsMILITARYBRIDGING THE GAP
Be aware of resources on campus for veterans.
• Mandated authority • Few visible markers of status
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENT VETERANS
• Structured training/clear goals • Demands vary across disciplines• Assumes students have the skills
Academ avsMILITARYBRIDGING THE GAP
Create an inclusive, welcoming classroom environment for everyone, including veterans.
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENT VETERANS
• Bonding & social support inherent • Competitive; a sense of solitude
Academ avsMILITARYBRIDGING THE GAP
If possible, make an effort to get to know student veterans in your class.
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENT VETERANS
• A focus on being tough/taking action • A focus on intellectual performance
Academ avsMILITARY
Know your own limitations, you are not alone, and not responsible for counseling students.
BRIDGING THE GAP
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENT VETERANS
Academ avsMILITARYBRIDGING THE GAP
Be aware of on campus resources such as ones listed below.
• Steps for advancement are clear • Many options & classes to choose from
UTSA serves more military families than veterans. They are a diverse group who typically are adaptable due to constant geographic mobility & playing multiple roles in the household. Some may also have difficulty with building relationships in new environments due to having such persistent, dynamic turmoil in their lives. The transition that occurs when their service member deploys, separates or retires can impact their academic performance. Instructors should not be hesitant to reach out to these students if they see them falling behind.
Understand that veterans may have difficulty transitioning due to the significant differences between going from the highly structured environment of the military to the very loose, unstructured environment of the academy.
Be aware that many military students have served in combat, some multiple times; military experiences cover the gamut both in the United States and overseas and in many situations and positions. Veterans can enrich your classroom by providing real world and cultural experiences.
Veterans do not want anything they haven’t earned, but we need to recognize that some may need some form of accommodation or academic support and may be reluctant to seek it out. This module outlines the support structure that is available to student veterans.
Never ask a veteran if they killed anyone while serving, it is inappropriate to do so and will shut down further conversation. Also, please do not allow other students to do this either, it will have the same reaction.
ROTC cadets are pursuing their degrees while training to be commissioned officers in the US Army or US Air Force. It is important to understand that ROTC students are very committed to both goals. You can look to these students to be leaders in your classroom. They exude leadership, analytical and interpersonal skills and must be effective in time management to juggle their busy days. All of them have days that can start as early at 0600 and end well into the evening hours. Some may also be working part time jobs in addition to their service commitments.
WHAT FACULTY AND STAFF SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MILITARY AFFILIATED STUDENTS AT UTSA
UNDERSTANDING STUDENT VETERANS
Stressors & Hassles Among Student Veterans
FAMILY EXPECTATION
FINANCIAL SECURITY
PREPARING FOR TEST
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
UNDERSTANDING STUDENT VETERANS
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Ways to Prevent PTSD
Talking Openly Meditating
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Participating in Enjoyable Activities
Adequate Sleep
Eating Healthy Exercise
Bad Memories
Guilt
Sleep Problems
Numbness
Nightmares
Hopelessness
Hypervigilance
Avoiding
Anger
Flashbacks
Self-Destructive Behaviors
Symptomsof PTSD
CONTACT
UTSA Services and Resources
• Veteran and Military Affairs• Veteran’s Certification Office• Veteran Services Advisory
Committee• Student Veterans Association
• Student Disability Services• Counseling Services• Army ROTC• Air Force ROTC
• Writing Center• Math Lab• Tomás Rivera Center• Veteran Study Room, JPL 3.03.54
VETERAN SERVICES ACADEMIC SERVICESSTUDENT SERVICES
Student Disability ServicesStudent Disability Services May Recommend Some of the Following Accommodations
CONTACT
Coping with Stress Concentration Problems Motor Skills Issues
Interacting with Others Memory Problems
• Attendance leniency• Allow for short breaks• Seating near door or wall• Extension of due dates• Connections with other
services on/off campus
• Audio record lectures• Front row priority seating• Extended time for testing• Reduced distraction area for testing
• Alternate media/test• Adaptive technology• Tardiness leniency• Accessible seating• Volunteer note takers
• Clarify expectations• Give positive feedback• Assign a peer mentor/partner• Alternative communication options (ALD)• Encourage the veteran to walk away
from frustrating situations
• Extended time for testing• Written instructions• Electronic Calendar• Captioning of videos• Provide all lectures/notes in an electronic
format.
Counseling Services
Common Interpersonal Issues Common Psychosocial Issues
Issues That Interfere with Academics
• Family Problems• Problems with significant other• Roommate issues• Conflict with faculty/employer• Problems with peer group
• Lack of financial support from family• Limited access to healthcare• Basic needs such as housing and food• Transportation
• Individual Counseling• Consultation• Couples Counseling• Group Counseling• Crisis Intervention• Psychiatric Referral• Learning Disability Testing• Biofeedback
• Alcohol and other drug use• Procrastination• Lack of Motivation• Working too many hours/financial issues• Depression/Anxiety• Learning Disability• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Counseling ServicesCounseling Services offers a comprehensive and integrated model of care.
CONTACT
Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success
Supplemental Instruction Learning Assistance
Tutoring Centers Academic Coaching
• Series of weekly study sessions• Integration of study skill development with course material• Sessions guided by successful students• Supervised by a team of experience coordinators
• In-class Workshops• Outreach Workshops• Expert Learner Series• Special Topic Workshops• Undergraduate Workshops
Drop in tutoring available at:• Q Lab• MH Tutoring Center• Durango Tutoring Center
• Identify students’ study strengths and needs• Work one-on-one with students• They offer support in time management, procrastination,
test preparation, note taking, and reading strategies.
CONTACT
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Content support provided by: Lisa Firmin, MHRM, Colonel USAF Retired | Associate Provost for Veteran and Military Affairs |The University of Texas at San Antonio Dianne P. Hengst, Psy. D. | Director, Student Disability Services | The University of Texas at San Antonio Mary McNaughton-Cassill, Ph.D. |Associate Professor for Department of Psychology |The University of Texas at San Antonio