Supporting Military Families in Indiana: MFRI and Operation Diploma Initiatives

Indiana Commission for Higher Education March 9, 2012

Outline Overview of MFRI and Operation Diploma Survey Results from Indiana Institutions Next Steps 2

Military Family Research Institute Through research and outreach, MFRI works closely with collaborators to improve the lives of service members and their families in Indiana and across the country. 3

Military Family Research Institute Making a difference for families who serve 1. Supporting military communities 2. Strengthening civilian communities 3. Generating important knowledge 4. Influencing programs, practices and policies 5. Sustaining a vibrant learning organization 4

Sample Accomplishments Supporting military children: Served over 600 military children with programming to help them deal with deployment and reintegration Increasing support for military families in civilian and military communities: Coordinate over 700 citizens in 10 regions of the state in community mobilization efforts Over 400 resource kits placed in community libraries across Indiana Small grants to military and civilian groups have served over 6,000 Hoosiers Training delivered to over 500 military and civilian behavioral health and family support workers; creation (with partners) of the Star Behavioral Health Providers program Changing policies, programs and practices: FMLA job-protected leave for reserve component families Directors of psychological health appointed in each state Changing higher education in Indiana: Details later 5

Operation Diploma Promoting academic success by supporting post- secondary institutions and student veterans organizations 6

Strategic Goals Educate institutions about the unique attributes & concerns of student service members and veterans. Engage institutions in strengthening support and services for these students. Strengthenthe efforts of Student Veterans Organizations (SVOs) across the state. Generate new knowledge about the experiences of student veterans and effective strategies for helping them. 7

What types of institutions? Public/Private Classification Number Percent Public 31 41.3 Private for-profit 5 6.7 Private not-for-profit 39 52.0 Institutional Size Up to 10,000 students 54 72.0 More than 10,000 students 10 13.3 No Carnegie information available 11 14.7 Graduate Programs 29 38.7 TOTAL 75 8

Transfers and Call Durations Mean 2.07 10.77 3.29 6.20 Range 1 4 1 130 0 8 1 16 Calls made Call duration (minutes) Transfers per call Transfers across all calls 9

Do you award credit for military experience or courses taken while in the military? On average, 61% in 2008, 70% in 2010 9% 2010 Staff (n=75) 77.3% 12.0% 9.3% 1.3% 2008 Staff (n=89) 56.2% 32.6% 11.2% Yes Maybe No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 62.7% 5.3% 9.3% 22.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 66.2% 26.0% 7.8% 10

If deployed, will a service member have to re- apply for admission upon returning? On average, 31% in 2008, 15% in 2010 16% 2010 Staff (n=75) 18.7% 1.3% 48.0% 32.0% 2008 Staff (n=89) 38.2% 7.9% 43.8% 10.1% Yes Maybe No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 12.0% 1.3% 64.0% 22.7% 2008 Administrator (n=76) 23.7% 7.9% 65.8% 2.6% 11

Waive the tuition deadline, if the veteran is using the G. I. Bill or vocational rehabilitation? On average, 39% in 2008, 44% in 2010 5% 2010 Staff (n=75) 32.0% 10.7% 57.3% 2008 Staff (n=89) 29.2% 21.3% 31.5% 18.0% Yes Maybe No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 56.0% 9.3% 8.0% 26.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 48.1% 9.1% 36.4% 6.5% 12

If the student is using the G. I. Bill, does the monthly benefit continue between semesters? On average 85% in 2008, 33% in 2010) 52% 2010 Staff (n=75) 22.7% 21.3% 56.0% 2008 Staff (n=89) 4.5% 86.5% 7.9% Yes Maybe No Don't know 1.1% 2010 Administrator (n=75) 42.7% 1.3% 21.3% 34.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 83.1% 3.9% 13.0% 13

If the service member is deployed mid-semester, do you credit or reimburse tuition already paid? On average, 53% in 2008, 56% in 2010 3% 2010 Staff (n=75) 45.3% 2.7% 6.7% 45.3% 2008 Staff (n=89) 41.6% 27.0% 14.6% 16.9% Yes Maybe No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 66.7% 4.0% 4.0% 25.3% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 64.9% 23.4% 7.8% 3.9% 14

If the service member is deployed mid-semester, will an incomplete and opportunity to make up the coursework upon return be given? On average 49% in 2008, 52% in 2010 3% 2010 Staff (n=75) 52.0% 1.3% 4.0% 42.7% 2008 Staff (n=89) 34.8% 41.6% 5.6% 18.0% Yes Maybe No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 52.0% 18.7% 2.7% 26.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 63.6% 29.9% 5.2% 1.3% 15

If the service member is a graduate student, is he/she given an extension to complete the course requirements based on how long he/she was deployed? On average, 42% in 2008, 55% in 2010 13% 2010 Staff (n=46; NA = 29) 54.3% 6.5% 39.1% 2008 Staff (n=89; NA=51) 26.3% 50.0% 5.3% 18.4% Yes Maybe No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=46; NA = 29) 56.5% 13.0% 8.7% 21.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77; NA=36) 58.5% 29.3% 2.4% 9.8% 16

Does your institution follow the ACE recommendations for transfer of military credit? Yes No Don't know 2010 (n=75) 57.3% 12.0% 30.7% 17

Do you have a designated person to work with military members? On average, 74% in 2008, 52% in 2010 13% 2010 Staff (n=75) 42.7% 40.0% 17.3% 2008 Staff (n=89) 66.3% 33.7% Yes No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 62.7% 14.7% 22.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 81.8% 18.2% 18

Can your contact person direct wounded warriors to disability support services? On average, 65% in 2008, 56% in 2010 9% 2010 Staff (n=75) 45.3% 12.0% 42.7% 2008 Staff (n=89) 52.8% 30.3% Yes No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 66.7% 6.7% 26.7% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 76.6% 23.4% Note: In 2008, answer choice Maybe and Don t know were offered; no staff or administrators selected Don t know while 16.9% of staff and 0% of administrators selected Maybe. 19

Do you have a student veterans organization? On average 9% in 2008, 23% in 2010 14% 2010 Staff (n=75) 18.7% 45.3% 36.0% 2008 Staff (n=89) 3.4% 94.4% 2.2% Yes No Don't know 2010 Administrator (n=75) 28.0% 48.0% 24.0% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 14.3% 85.7% 20

Do you have special assistance for family members of veterans? On average, 91% in 2008, 15% in 2010 76% 2010 Staff (n=75) 9.3% 42.7% 48.0% 2008 Staff (n=89) 98.9% 1.1% Yes No Don't know/Maybe 2010 Administrator (n=75) 20.0% 54.7% 25.3% 2008 Administrator (n=77) 83.1% 16.9% 21

Are you a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges? 50 45 44 45 40 38 35 30 26 25 20 15 10 5 0 2008 Reported 2008 Reported yes 2008 Actual 2010 Reported 2010 Reported yes 2010 Actual Based on administrators responses 22

What kinds of schools offer more? Staff and administrators at public institutions reported significantly more services than those at private, not-for-profit. Administrators at public institutions with enrollments > 10,000 were more likely to report services of all types (admissions, academics, financial aid & student services) than smaller schools. Staff and administrators at institutions with graduate programs reported more services than those without. 23

Indiana Impact since August 2009 Military student enrollment has increased by 25% on average (<1% to 150%). 80% of 2- and 4-year schools have connected with MFRI for various resources to support student service members and veterans. Yellow Ribbon participation increased by 63% (15 to 26). Student Veterans Organizations have increased by >300% (7 to 30). 24

Institutional Responses Veterans resource centers at IUPUI, IU, and Indiana State benefit more than 1,700 student service members and veterans and their families. Priority tutoring hours at Ball State and University of Evansville Online veterans orientation modules at Ball State Priority registration along with seniors and graduate students at PU Calumet 25

Institutional Responses, contd Compared to 2008, more campuses: Have highly visible military information on their website that identify a specific point of contact. Award specific credit for military training and experience. Conduct regular awareness raising and professional development related to attributes and needs of student service members and veterans. 26

Our Dream Every institution in Indiana Is a grantee or an affiliate of Operation Diploma. Is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges. Has highly visible points of contact and web pages for student service members and veterans. Gives specific credit for military training and experience. Has implemented successful support and transition programs. Enacts and enforces supportive campus policies. Engages in dialogue about promising practices. Attracts, retains, graduates, and places a significantly larger number of student service members and veterans. 27

Acknowledgements Lilly Endowment Inc. Martina Sternberg, Ph.D Ryan Carlson, former U.S. Army Sgt. Evan Smith, Indiana Army National Guard 28

Contact Us Operation Diploma Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Op-Diploma@purdue.edu 765-494-9878 29