Developing CAS Standards for Developing CAS Standards for Veterans and Military Veterans and Military

Programs and Services Programs and Services Douglas Franklin, Ph.D.Douglas Franklin, Ph.D.

Ohio University and Ohio University and Council for the Advancement of Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher EducationStandards in Higher Education

Background InformationBackground Information• Assistant Dean of Students at Ohio University • Board of Directors for the Council for the

Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS)– Chaired committee for development of standards and

guidelines for Veterans and Military Programs and Services (VMPS)

– Authored contextual statement providing background for standards.

– USNR retiring at the rank of Commander • Activated 9/17/01 in support of GWOT and OEF

Presentation ObjectivesPresentation Objectives• Participants will gain knowledge of:

– Research behind building the Standards and Guidelines– Principles associated with Council for the Advancement of

Standards in Higher Education (CAS) – Elements of CAS standards including:

• Contextual Statement• Standards and Guidelines• Self Assessment Guides

• Participants will be provided tools to develop and assess VMPS programs

Examining the FieldExamining the Field• Associations and Organizations• Institutions and State Governing Bodies• National Research• Other Resources

Associations and OrganizationsAssociations and Organizations• National Association of Veteran Program Administrators

(NAVPA)• American Council on Education (A.C.E.) • Student Veterans of America (SVA)• Military Friendly Institutions (GI Jobs.com)• Military Family Research Institute (Purdue University)• National Association of Veterans Upward Bound Project

Personnel (NAVUBPP)• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)• Council of College and Military Educators (CCME)

Institutions and State HEInstitutions and State HE• Higher Education Veterans Assistance

Program Steering Committee (Minnesota)• Operation Promise (New Jersey)• Ohio GI Bill (Ohio)

Sample of InstitutionsSample of Institutions• Cleveland State University SERV• Indiana University Standards for Veterans Support Services (CAS like) • Weber State University: http://weber.edu/vetaffairs • Salt Lake Community College: http://www.slcc.edu/veterans/ • University of Alabama: http://financialaid.ua.edu/other/va.html • San Diego State University: http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/veterans/ • South Florida: http://www.veterans.usf.edu/• Cuyahoga Community College:

http://www.tri.edu/pathways/Pages/veterans.aspx

ResearchResearch• Transitions…Ackerman, DiRamio, Garza Mitchell ‘09

– Disabled vets in transition …DiRamio, Spires ‘09)

• Laws That Serve Servicemembers and Student Veterans…McGrevey, Kehrer ‘09

• Colleges develop programs (USA Today)…Zoroya ‘09• Needs of women veterans…Baechtold, Sawal ‘09• Struggling to fit in…Brown ‘09

ResearchResearch• Mobilization of guardsman and reservists…Bauman ‘09• Statewide approach…Lokken, Pfeffer, McAuley, Strong ‘09• From soldier to student…A.C.E. Cook, Kim ‘09• What the new GI bill means for H.E., A.C.E. ‘09• Student vets associations… Summerlot, Green, Parker ‘09• GI Bill brings challenges, Lum ‘09

Research: Soldier to StudentResearch: Soldier to Student• Overview of Institutional Programs and Services

for Veterans• Programs and Services by Level of Enrollment• Programs and Services by Presence of a

Dedicated Office for Veterans• Results from Focus Groups of Military Students

Results from Soldier to Student

Research: Survey of NAVPAResearch: Survey of NAVPA• Importance factors related to:

– Formalized systems and processes– Office and meeting space– Employment of at least one full time employee to serve as

single-point-of-contact– Providing services and programs to support veterans.– Establishing a referral system

NAVPA Survey Results

Criteria: Military Friendly Institutions (MFI) Criteria: Military Friendly Institutions (MFI) • Discounted Tuition for Military and Dependents• Generous Transfer Credit Policies• Yellow Ribbon Schools• In-State Tuition Waivers• Dedicated Veteran Counselors and Staff• Special Policies for Deployments• Accreditation• Student Veteran Groups• Flexible Attendance and Scheduling Options• Understanding that not all Students are 18 Years Old and Single

Criteria for Standards: A.C.E.Criteria for Standards: A.C.E.• Veteran-Friendly Institutions

– Publish concise information on transfer credit for military experience

– Build a strong web presence– Give veterans a voice – Establish specific points of contact– Take a community-based approach

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(American Council on Education, 2008)

Criteria: Servicemembers Criteria: Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)Opportunity Colleges (SOC)

• Reasonable Transfer of Credit• Reduced Academic Residency• Credit for Military Training and Experience• Credit for Nationally-Recognized Testing Programs

– College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)– DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)– Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)

“…created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to servicemembers who, because they frequently moved from place to place, had trouble completing college degrees. SOC functions in cooperation with 15 higher education associations, the DOD, and Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services to expand and improve voluntary postsecondary education opportunities ... “

Criteria for Standards: Student Veterans Criteria for Standards: Student Veterans AssociationAssociation

1. Develop a Task Force– Application Fees, Tuition Rates, Admission Procedures, Enrollment,

Registration, Transfer of Military Credit, Return from Active-duty Status, Deactivation

2. Support a Student Veterans Organization3. Create a Veteran’s Office4. Set up Space5. Develop Online & Print Resources6. Establish Partnerships7. Educate Administration, Faculty & Students8. Converge all Resources in 1 Place9. Evaluate Organizational Success

Criteria: A.C.E. Walmart Grant Criteria: A.C.E. Walmart Grant • Create online veterans-specific orientation

programs, • Expand on-campus veterans service centers, • Enhance prospective student outreach efforts,• Increase capacity for counseling and

psychological services.

Criteria: Part T- Centers of Excellence Criteria: Part T- Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Successfor Veteran Student Success

• Single Point of Contact (Coordinator)• Establish a veterans support team• Monitor enrollment, persistence and completion rates• Sustainability plan• Outreach and recruitment• Personal and academic support• Assistance in obtaining financial aid• Housing support• Offer programs and activities to support transition

– Cultural, academic, orientation• Advising and admissions counseling with military installations• Support student vets organizations

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/cevss/index.html

Best or Good Practice-Leadership & Human Best or Good Practice-Leadership & Human Resources Resources

• Single Point of Contact (POC)– Designate a highly visible office with appropriate staff

• Coordinate services• Provide advice• Create programming• Advocate for students with issues related to their military

experiences and student status– Educate faculty and staff about veterans issues

• Develop a veterans web page

Best or Good Practice: Campus and Best or Good Practice: Campus and External RelationsExternal Relations

– Registrar– Student Financial Aid Office– Library– Residential Housing Office– Disability Services– Academic Advancement Center– Information Technology– Student Health Center

– Counseling and Psychological Services

– Admissions– Bursar– Student Affairs– Combat Veterans Club (SVA)– Academic Advising– University Parking Services

Photo: San Diego State University Veterans Center

•Create a referral system

Best or Good Practice: Student Best or Good Practice: Student DevelopmentDevelopment

• Facilitate peer to peer interaction ‐ ‐– Designation of space for gathering and networking– Sponsorship of a student club or organization– Develop transition and orientation programs– Women’s Center awareness and outreach to

female veterans

Photo by SPC Samantha R. Ciaramitaro

Best or Good Practice: Institutional Education Best or Good Practice: Institutional Education

• Professional development– Provide education for faculty, staff and students – Develop and communicate administrative policies

and procedures to cover the unique situations and experiences of students who are service members or veterans

Best or Good Practice: ProcessBest or Good Practice: Process• Create policy and procedures for veterans

– students departing for or returning from deployment or other military duty

– Withdrawal and/or course completion procedures for students called for military duty

– Absence policies related to military duty Fee deferments for students when education benefits are delayed

Best or Good Practice: ProcessBest or Good Practice: Process• Fee refund procedures for military withdrawals• Communication with deployed students• Returning procedures following deployment• Sensitive consideration for surviving family

members of students who died during service – Resolution of grades from the student’s final

semester and potential posthumous award of degree

Best or Good Practice: AdmissionsBest or Good Practice: Admissions• Credit articulation for military training and experience• Priority for evaluation of military transfer credit • Protect military/veterans from being dropped for

non-payment if benefits have not been received.• Withdrawal process for military students• Guide for military credit• Priority registration for active military/veterans

Best or Good Practice: Disability Services, Best or Good Practice: Disability Services, Counseling and Mental Health Counseling and Mental Health

• Personalized services for veterans • Knowledgeable about the counseling, advising,

and potential health care needs • Contacts within the VA for mental health referral

sources for veterans

Best or Good Practice: Financial AidBest or Good Practice: Financial Aid

• Guide for the GI Bill• Scholarship promotion specific to veterans and

wounded soldiers• Liaison with state veterans representative

ReviewersReviewers• Robert Ackerman, University of Nevada Las Vegas• Karen Agee, University of North Iowa and CAS• Derek Blumke, Student Veterans Association • Terry Carr, University of Louisville• Dave DiRamio, Auburn University• Shafton Dunkin, Eastern Michigan University & NAVPA• John Mikelson, University of Iowa• Sarah Minnis, Texas A&M University• Pat Perfetto, University of Maryland and CAS• William Smith, University of Missouri- Kansas City• Kathy Snead, Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges• Johann Sprenger, University of Nevada-Reno• R.K. Williams, Boise State University and NAVPA

Council for the Advancement of StandardsCouncil for the Advancement of Standards• Founded 1979

– 36 professional organizations

– Promote standards related to student service providers– Standards focus on quality and developed in a consensus-oriented,

collaborative environment

• Board of Directors comprised of member associations reps.• Published First Book of Standards 1986

“…a consortium of professional associations who work collaboratively to develop and promulgate standards and guidelines and to encourage self-assessment.” CAS Mission, 2009

CAS Principle: Self-Regulation & Self-CAS Principle: Self-Regulation & Self-AssessmentAssessment

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Confucius Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

VMPS Standards and GuidelinesVMPS Standards and Guidelines• Three parts to the Standards

– Contextual Statement- – Standards and Guidelines– Self Assessment Guides

VMPS Standards-Contextual Statement• Early America• Rehabilitation Law World War I• Servicemembers Readjustment

Acts (GI Bill, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Montgomery)

• Draft and the Total Force Concept

• GWOT, Iraq and Afghanistan• Organizations

VMPS Standards and GuidelinesVMPS Standards and Guidelines• CAS Terminology

– Functional Area (VMPS etc.)– Parts or Sections– Boiler Plate– Standard (Must)– Guideline (Should or may)– Components for rating– Quality assurance– Compliance

Uses of the CAS StandardsUses of the CAS Standards• Design of new programs & services• Measuring effectiveness• Self-studies• Preparation for accreditation• Academic preparation and staff development• Credibility and accountability

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” Steve Jobs US computer engineer & industrialist (1955 - )

VMPS Standards: PartsVMPS Standards: Parts• Mission• Program• Leadership• Human Resources• Ethics• Legal Responsibilities• Equity and Access

• Diversity• Organization & Management• Campus and External Relations• Financial Resources• Technology• Facilities & Equipment• Assessment & Evaluation

VMPS StandardsVMPS Standards• Mission• Program• Leadership• Human Resources• Ethics• Legal Responsibilities• Equity and Access

• Diversity• Organization & Management• Campus and External Relations• Financial Resources• Technology• Facilities & Equipment• Assessment & Evaluation

VMPS StandardsVMPS Standards• Mission• Program• Leadership• Human Resources• Ethics• Legal Responsibilities• Equity and Access

• Diversity• Organization & Management• Campus and External Relations• Financial Resources• Technology• Facilities & Equipment• Assessment & Evaluation

VMPS StandardsVMPS Standards• Mission• Program• Leadership• Human Resources• Ethics• Legal Responsibilities• Equity and Access

• Diversity• Organization & Management• Campus and External Relations• Financial Resources• Technology• Facilities & Equipment• Assessment & Evaluation

VMPS Standards: Mission VMPS Standards: Mission • VMPS must:

– develop, disseminate, implement, and regularly review their mission.

– Mission statements must be consistent with the mission of the institution and with professional standards (and) enhance (the) overall educationalexperiences by incorporating student learning and development outcomes...

VMPS Standards: MissionVMPS Standards: Mission• VMPS must:

– provide, facilitate, or coordinate programs and services for student veterans, military service members, and their family members.

• Family members include veterans’ and service members’ spouses/partners and children as well as survivors of veterans.

– identify student veterans and military service members and establish a community that connects and supports this population.

VMPS Standards: ProgramVMPS Standards: Program• VMPS must assist student veterans, military service members

and their family members with: – transitions from military service to higher education – issues related to deployment of active duty students or call up

for students affiliated with National Guard and Reserve Units – integration into institutions and campus life – reintegration following activation – establishment of procedures to facilitate progress toward

educational goals

VMPS Standards: ProgramVMPS Standards: Program• VMPS must

– collaborate with key departments to streamline campus administrative procedures for student veterans and military service members, particularly those preparing for or returning from deployments.

– provide support and advisement for student veteran organizations and veteran advisory groups on campus.

VMPS Standards: ProgramVMPS Standards: Program• VMPS must:

– provide, directly or in collaboration with other institutional units, education and training for faculty and staff on issues relevant to student veterans, military service members, and their family members.

– work with the veteran certifying official and make available certifying paperwork for student veterans, military service members, and their family members for all applicable educational benefits.

VMPS Standards: Campus and VMPS Standards: Campus and External RelationsExternal Relations

• VMPS must reach out to relevant individuals, campus offices, and external agencies to: – establish, maintain, and promote effective relations– disseminate information about their own and other related

programs and services– coordinate and collaborate, where appropriate, in offering

programs and services – promote their achievement of student learning and

development outcomes

VMPS Standards: Campus and VMPS Standards: Campus and External RelationsExternal Relations

• VMPS must: – work with the office of admissions to coordinate and address the

needs and issues of student veterans, military members, and their matriculated family members.

• VMPS should:– advocate for the inclusion of questions on the admission application

regarding anticipated status at the time of enrollment – active duty, veteran, member of the Guard or reserve, or military dependent.

– advocate for consideration of military experience and training in admissions decisions.

VMPS Standards: LeadershipVMPS Standards: Leadership• VMPS must:

– be knowledgeable about and responsive to the needs and experiences of student veterans, military service members, and their family members.

– advise decision-makers and advocate for institutional policies and procedures that address these issues.

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Peter Drucker

VMPS Standards: Human ResourcesVMPS Standards: Human Resources

• Staffing to accomplish the mission• Selection and hiring criteria• Training and supervision

“The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.” Robert Frost US poet (1874 - 1963)

VMPS Standards: EthicsVMPS Standards: Ethics• Integrity• Principles of behavior

“Members pledge to do no harm; collaborate with others for the good of those served, interact in ways that promote positive outcomes; create environments conducive to the growth and development of the whole person, and exercise role responsibilities in a manner respecting the rights of others” CAS Ethical Code

VMPS Standards: Legal ResponsibilitiesVMPS Standards: Legal Responsibilities

• Laws, regulations and institutional policies• Risk Management• Emergency and Critical Incidence Response• Laws specific to Veterans and Military Rights

“Good laws have their origins in bad morals.” Ambrosius Macrobius

VMPS Standards: Equity and AccessVMPS Standards: Equity and Access• Fair, equitable, and non discriminatory

treatment for all• Compliance with equity laws• Distance learning students

“If you believe that discrimination exists, it will.” Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

VMPS Standards: DiversityVMPS Standards: Diversity

• Inclusion• Identity, culture and heritage

“If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” John F. Kennedy 35th president of US 1961-1963 (1917 - 1963)

VMPS Standards: Organization VMPS Standards: Organization and Managementand Management

• Structure• Policies and procedures• Graphics and charts• Organizational location

“Enough organization, enough lists and we think we can control the uncontrollable.” John Mankiewicz, House, The Socratic Method, 2004

VMPS Standards: Financial ResourcesVMPS Standards: Financial Resources• Adequate funding• Alignment of funding with program

priorities.• Fiscal responsibility and cost

effectiveness

“Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.” Ken Hakuta

VMPS Standards: TechnologyVMPS Standards: Technology

• Access• Security and data backup• User training for legal and ethical use

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Arthur C. Clarke, "Profiles of The Future", 1961 (Clarke's third law) English physicist & science fiction author 1917 -

VMPS Standards: Facilities and VMPS Standards: Facilities and Equipment Equipment

• Adequate and accessible• Equipment maintenance and life cycle costing• Facility inspection and evaluation• Working environment

“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.” Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus US novelist (1922 – 2007)

VMPS Standards: Assessment and VMPS Standards: Assessment and EvaluationEvaluation

• Systematic plans and processes to meet internal and external accountability expectations

• Regular assessment and evaluations. – qualitative and quantitative methodologies – employ sufficient and sound measures to ensure

comprehensiveness.

VMPS Standards: Self AssessmentVMPS Standards: Self Assessment

• Elements of the CAS standards

Advantages of Self-AssessmentAdvantages of Self-Assessment• Internally driven• Staff development• Recognition and rewards• Shared vision• Self awareness

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool.” Richard Feynman US educator & physicist (1918 - 1988)

CAS Self-Assessment ProcessCAS Self-Assessment Process• Build the team • Collect the evidence• Spot inconsistencies• Decide corrective action • Develop action plan

“Never confuse movement with action.”Ernest Hemingway US author & journalist (1899 - 1961)

Preparing the Review TeamPreparing the Review Team• Process coordinator • Identification of members • Review standards • Rating consensus

“There's nothing wrong with staying small. You can do big things with a small team.” Jason Fried, Keynote Speech, SXSW 2006

Judging PerformanceJudging Performance• Establish Assessment Criteria

– Not Done (voluntary non compliance)– Not Met (No evidence)– Minimally Met ( Partially doing but limited evidence)– Well Met (Supported by evidence)– Fully Met (Supported by evidence)– Not Rated (NR) (not relevant)

CAS Criterion Measure Rating Scale

ND 1 2 3 4 5

Not Done

Not Met Minimally Met

Well Met

Fully Met

Not Rated

Judging performance: Rating a standardJudging performance: Rating a standard• 1.1 The program develops, disseminates and implements

its mission• 1.2 The program regularly reviews its mission• 1.3 The mission statement is consistent with that of the

host institution and with professional standards• 1.4 The program enhances overall educational

experiences by incorporating learning and development outcome domains in the mission statement

CAS Criterion Measure Rating Scale

ND 1 2 3 4 5

Not Done Not Met Minimally Met

Well Met

Fully Met Not Rated

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Compile & Review EvidenceCompile & Review Evidence•Veteran Student Recruitment and Marketing Materials•Program Documents•Institutional Administrative Documents•Research, Assessment and Evaluation Data•Staff Activity Reports•Student Activity Reports

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” John Adams, US diplomat & politician (1735 - 1826)

Formulating an Action PlanFormulating an Action Plan1. Answer overview questions in the SAG

– Stimulate summary thinking– Overarching issues– Interpret ratings– Develop report

2. Identify Program Strength 3. Identify Program Weakness 4. Describe Practices Requiring Follow-up

Formulating an Action PlanFormulating an Action Plan5. Summarize Actions Required to Meet Standard

6. Summarize program enhancement actions7. Write program action plan

QuestionsQuestions

• Contact: Douglas Franklin, Ph.D.– 740-593-0805– franklin@ohio.edu