Larry Lockwood Assistant Provost and University Registrar

University of Iowa

Today’s military students

Education benefits

Academic issues

Student life issues

Personal stories

Future issues

Emerging best practices recommendations

Services provided at the Regent universities

Nation at war since 9/11/2001

Largest number of war-time veterans since WWII

Iowa National Guard participating in the largest deployment since WWII

Service characterized by unprecedented multiple deployments

Visible and invisible wounds of war

Iowa State University ◦ ROTC: 240 ◦ VA educational benefits: 422 ◦ Currently deployed: 38

University of Iowa ◦ ROTC: 210 ◦ VA educational benefits: 381 ◦ Currently deployed: 38

University of Northern Iowa ◦ ROTC: 39 ◦ VA educational benefits: 231 ◦ Currently deployed: Unknown

Who are we missing? ◦ Those who have exhausted benefits ◦ Guard and reserve members who have not qualified for benefits yet ◦ Those who haven’t filed for benefits yet due to “bureaucracy fatigue”

Women receiving VA Educational Benefits = 28% (Iowa);

27% (UNI); 23% (ISU)

Students bringing in transfer credit: ~58%

Iowa residency status can be obtained for in-state tuition

4,000 Iowa Army National Guard currently deployed in Afghanistan

Many will start or return in August 2011 and January 2012

Iowa has a large number of National Guard/Reservists called to active duty (50%) compared to other states

All 3 Regent universities have been listed by GI Jobs Magazine as “military-friendly"

New GI Bill (Chapter 33) – Post 9/11 Ensures that our troops have 40% to 100% of their

tuition paid, plus: $1000 for books per academic year $1068 per month housing—Iowa City $1017 per month housing—Ames $903 per month housing—Cedar Falls

In addition, veterans are eligible to receive Pell

grants of up to $5,550 a year and/or state and other federal grants

Benefits can be transferred to dependents

Strengths: Motivated, committed students Add to campus diversity with interesting

background, life-experiences

Challenges: Students may feel distracted in class Faculty, staff and other students unaware of unique

needs Isolation—feeling a lack of community Admission Issues that denied access

All 3 campuses follow ACE guidelines for accepting transfer credits

Propensity to “stop out” Deployment, personal reasons, financial reasons, or

work-related reasons

Older than the general population

Accustomed to a structured environment

Disassociated from established relationships and teammates

Different world experiences than 18-19 year-olds who have not been out of the state

May have dependents—must balance responsibilities

May find themselves with insufficient funds

May have emotional as well as physical scars

Physical and emotional issues that may affect them longer

Hidden disabilities such as TBI and PTSD impacting educational experience

Longer timeframe to acclimate to studies

Require more support

Not ready to enter the educational system if severely disabled

Improve retention & graduation rates of veterans

◦ VETS: 30% graduate in 4 years; 50% in 6 years (UI)

◦ ALL: 45% graduate in 4 years; 68% in 6 years (UI)

Prepare for increase in number of veteran students reintegrating

◦ 20,000 National Guard and Reservists in Iowa are eligible for the new GI Bill.

◦ 85,000 veterans are eligible as resident students of Iowa who live in the bordering states.

◦ The number of veteran students at the Regent universities is expected to double by 2013.

Listen to military students

Assess institutional strengths and weaknesses serving this population

Start (or support) military student groups

Offer a military student gathering space

Establish a point of contact ◦ Consider one-stop shop approach, including

consolidated website for military student services

Address military student needs during campus orientation

Raise awareness among faculty, staff and students

Partner with other organizations (Veterans Affairs, state organizations, etc.)

Engage the community, alumni, and military student families

Dedicated veterans advisor

$1,000 Iowa Undergraduate Veterans Grant

Returning adult student forgiveness policy

Improved transfer of military credit

New course called “Life After War: Post-Deployment Issues”

Military Student web site

Active chapter of Student Veterans of America

New group called “Cy”pport for family members, partners, spouses, and others

Military Student Services Task Force to identify ISU’s strengths and gaps in meeting the needs of military students

Campus-wide survey to determine needs of veterans on campus

Veterans’ student organization

Participation in Yellow Ribbon Program

New, one-stop web site to connect users to all UNI resources supporting military students

• 17000 National Guard and Reservists in Iowa are eligible for the New GI Bill

• 7500 live within 200 miles of Iowa City

• 2000 are using their benefits within 100 mile of U of I

• 85000 veterans are eligible as resident students of Iowa who live in the bordering states

• U of I enrolled 564 vets this fall, 800 by fall 2013

• 101 were women(8 who received purple hearts)

• 40% are disabled from service

• 30 of our NG students deployed in August 2009

• 55 deployed in the summer of 2010 and returned

• 139 additional vets not receiving benefits

• University climate has focused on student success

• resident tuition for any veteran undergrad,

• no admission fee,

• no reentry fee,

• offer military credit, 6 from ROTC for a visit to the commander

• Vet Center created in 2006 offers communication to new applicants

• peer counseling for enrollment, orientation, benefit advice

• website to answer their questions,

• Women Veterans group and Women’s Counselor,

• University offers $800 grant to Iowa veteran undergrads who have served in any war.

• Academic forgiveness, Restart Program for undergrads

Veteran’s advisor • travels the state to recruit veterans and

• works with pre-release centers to help Disabled Vets apply for admission

• speaks at many regional meetings about our efforts.

• works with the office of disability services, VA Clinic, Counseling Services on campus as well as the local VA Hospital to coordinate services for our vets.

• works with admission denials to enable admission

• works with Financial Aid for financial advances up to 2000$

• 8 work-study students trained as peer advisors

longer to acclimate to studies

require more support,

physical and mental issues affect them longer

hidden disabilities such as TBI and PTSD impact educational experience

need equalization of subsistence allowance

Advantages of Voc Rehab Program Laptop computer and tech services

Special testing and tutoring arrangements

Full coverage of books and supplies

Early registration

Tamara S. Woods Pre-doctoral Intern, Iowa City Veteran Affairs Medical Health Care System Instructor, Life After War Doctoral Student, Counseling Psychology, University of Iowa

University of Iowa ◦ ~500 veterans are enrolled, with plans to enroll

~1000 veterans in the near future.

◦ 30% have a disability

◦ 20% are women.

◦ Retention rates for student veterans

are 18% below the campus average.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Traumatic Brain Injury

Depression & Anxiety

Substance use/abuse

Problems transitioning into civilian roles

Marital/Relationship/Family problems

Physical problems and Pain

Stigma

Co-morbidity of Issues

1. Address the biological underpinnings of common post-deployment issues.

2. Decrease stigma of post-deployment issues

3. Increase Academic self-efficacy

4. Increase retention and academic success

5. Increase a sense of camaraderie among student veterans

Offered for 3 semester hours at the University of Iowa

Will be offered again next Spring Tamara-woods@uiowa.edu or Tamara.woods@va.gov

Student veterans and current servicemembers from various backgrounds

Family members and community supporters

Charter member of Student Veterans of America

Homecoming Parade 2010

Help veterans and servicemembers at the University adjust to and integrate into campus life

Act as advocates for servicemembers and veterans

Support those still serving and their families

Provide information about veterans benefits

Serve as liaison with University and community programs

Propose and lobby for Veteran-friendly legislation

Raise awareness among fellow students and the community

Veterans Day On the Hill Iowa State House Jan 2009

Volunteering

Social activities

Iowa Troop Pantry

G.I.V.E. Foundation

Care packages/letter writing

Wounded Warrior Project

Hawkeye Football!

111 Communications Center

Location for veterans to study and relax

Sofas, networked computers, TV, refrigerator/freezer,microwave, coffee, soda, and snacks

CAC card reader Veterans Center

Welcome Back grill-out

Fall/Spring bar crawls

Veterans Day program, reception, and banquet

Wreaths Across America

Statewide Veterans Education Symposium

Veterans Day Banquet 2009

Nearly Naked Mile NAMI Walk Riverfest Combat Paper

Project Homecoming

Parade Student Veteran

Orientation Telling Project

Homecoming Parade 2008

Lioness 2009 Restrepo 2010