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