Veteran & Military Students at Bowling Green State University Nacho Alarcón, Matthew Garvin, & Beth...
-
Upload
gwenda-mathews -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
1
Transcript of Veteran & Military Students at Bowling Green State University Nacho Alarcón, Matthew Garvin, & Beth...
Veteran & Military Students at
Bowling Green State University
Nacho Alarcón, Matthew Garvin, & Beth Hoag
INTRODUCTION TO STUDENT VETERANS
Defining a Student Veteran & Military Student
Veteran Status National Defense Authorization Act, 2006
Post 9/11 GI Bill
American Council on Education (ACE)
Combat vs. Non-Combat
Dependents of Veterans eligible for Benefits
National guard and Reserves
Surge of Student Veterans
As of Jan. 2012, more than 817,000 have used Post-9/11 GI Benefits
Student Veterans of America (SVA) projects student veterans will double by 2018
Student Veteran Demographics
A growing number of
student veterans are
women, 20% of
veterans receiving
benefits in 2012 were
women
About 1 in 5 veterans has
at least one disability
Student Veteran Enrollment
Public58%
Private for-profit26%
Private non profit16%
Women Veteran Students
Challenging Experiences
War-related experiences need processing in a safe environment (Baechtold & Sawal, 2009)
Likely to have experienced military sexual trauma (Baechtold & Sawal, 2009)
Likely to feel misunderstood by academic peers (Baechtold & Sawal, 2009)
Challenges Facing Veteran & Military Students
Bureaucratic Transition Challenges
Military course credit transfer
GI Bill Benefits
Lack of structure in university environment
Navigating the Bureaucracy
Social Challenges
Veterans often feel disrespected or misunderstood (Zinger & Cohen, 2010)
Have a hard time connecting with “traditional students.”
“The most common question I am asked is ‘did you kill anyone?’”(p. 54)
“I came to [college] and felt totally alone…” (p. 54)
“I feel like a GI Joe compared to other students…”(p. 54)
Veterans with Disabilities 4.4% of students who self-report disabilities are veterans (US
Department of Education, 2012).
These disabilities are both visible and invisible
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are two most common cognitive injuries
Injuries have significant impact on college experience
Hesitancy to seek help
Bowling Green State University
Regional, public, four-year institution.
21,000 Students
500 self-identified student veterans
Non-traditional and Transfer Student Services (NTSS)
Background Information on NTSS
Before 2008: decentralized services, isolation
2008-2009: VP Jill Carr creates task force
2009: VP Albert Colon of task force creates NTSS
2010: NTSS opens in the spring
Functions of NTSS
Led by Dr. Barbara Henry
Houses Veteran Students office
Individualized student advocacy and services In-person
Electronic
Telephone
Partnership with Counseling Center and Disability Services
BGSU ROTC Air Force
Army ROTC: 273 units serving 200,000 students at 1,100 institutionsAir Force ROTC: 1,100 affiliate campusesNavy ROTC: 59 units that service over 150 institutions
Meet Brandon• BGSU Senior• Business Administration Major• On full four year ROTC
scholarship• Taking 21 credits this semester• Planned the annual military
ball• President of Arnold Air Society• Works on campus at ITS and off
campus at Reverends• Intramurals
“Cool how it progresses… you go from learning to doing and teaching what you had no idea about three or four years ago”
Is ROTC a priority on campus?
I think so…I would think that developing the defenders of our country would be a priority anyway. You know there are some people that don’t agree and ask ‘why are you training military people at my son’s university’ but I think the more places you can have ROTC the better (B Werling, personal communication, November, 15, 2013)
What does the environment communicate?
Potential positive aspects communicated by the environment Dedicated spaces
Streamlined services
Office partnerships (NTSS, Counseling, and Disability)
Dedicated staff members (some veterans)
“Do no harm” policies
School closed on Veteran’s Day
What does the environment communicate? (cont.)
Potential negative aspects communicated by the environment Distance of NTSS from Main Campus
Sculpture commemorating 1970 Kent State Shooting Victims
Lack of written policies and priority registration
Highly individualistic culture
No formal Veteran’s Day recognition
Questions?
ReferencesAbramson, L. (Writer) (2012). Vets flock to colleges...but how are they doing? [Radio series episode]. In
McDonnel, E. (Executive Producer), Morning Edition. Washington, DC: National Public Radio. Retrieved
from http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?
action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=166501611&m=166545989
American Council on Education. (2012). From solider to student II: Assessing campus programs for veterans
and service members. Retrieved from http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/From-Soldier-to-
Student-II.aspx
Baechtold, M. and De Sawal, D. M. (2009). Meeting the needs of women veterans. New Directions for
Student Services, 126, 35-43.
U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps, 2013
U.S. Naval Reserves Offices Training Corps, 2011
U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps, 2013.
Zinger, L., & Cohen, A. (2010). Veterans returning from war into the classroom: How can colleges be better
prepared to meet their needs. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 3(1), 39-52.
References (from handout)
Baechtold, M. and De Sawal, D. M. (2009). Meeting the needs of women veterans. New Directions
for Student Services, 126, 35-43.
Lipka, S. (2010, November 4). Students’ status as veterans and choice of major play big parts in
shaping college experiences. Chronicle of Higher Education, 57(12), A24-25. Retrieved from
http://0-search.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=a9h&AN=55612636&site=ehost-live&scope=site
U.S. Department of Labor. (2013). Veterans Preference Advisor. Retrieved from
http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/vetspref.htm