Report of the Chancellor's Task Force for a Veteran-Friendly Campus

Executive Summary

On August 22, 2007, Chancellor Brady J. Deaton announced the creation of a Task Force for a Veteran-Friendly Campus to examine issues that affect veterans and other military personnel departing and/or returning to campus as students or employees. The charge of the task force was to examine topics such as financial aid, housing options, credit transfers, departmental advising, work accommodations and the availability of networking, as well as the possibility of a one-stop process for re-enrollment and providing mentors for younger veterans.

The 28-member task force - comprised of faculty, staff, and students, many with some connection to the military – examined the following:

• Recruitment and admission, including outreach to disabled veterans
• State and federal support for postsecondary education for veterans
• Financial assistance at the campus level
• Campus life and climate
• Health and counseling resources
• Activation and return-to-work/school and
• Employment opportunities

The task force determined that a "veteran-friendly" campus should be inclusive, respectful and equitable for veterans, and should recognize that the needs of veterans may be different than the typical incoming freshman or new employee.

The task force also identified several characteristics of a veteran-friendly campus. Such a campus would:

1. Facilitate transition to and from active duty;
2. Recognize and value the service of veterans;
3. Provide a coordinated network of professionals with expertise in addressing the needs of veterans;
4. Actively facilitate networking and social support groups among veterans on campus;
5. Provide leadership in the employment of veterans;
6. Actively assess the climate for veterans on campus;
7. Reach out to the veteran and service member applicant pool of prospective students and employees;
8. Provide customized financial resources for veterans.

The task force has organized its recommendations based on these characteristics, beginning with matters that can be addressed for the most part administratively, without substantial expense. One recommendation is for establishment of a staffed Resource Center for Veterans, which would require either expenditures or shifting of current expenditures, and office space. Implementation of recommendations regarding increases in financial support for veterans would of course require additional external funding.

Recommendations include:

• streamlining processes for transition to and from active duty
• incorporating veteran status into record-keeping
• increasing outreach to employees and students who are veterans
• ensuring that the campus recognizes the contributions of veterans as part of its overall attention to diversity and related constituency issues
• expanding web-based resources for veterans
• customizing advising and registration for veterans
• establishing a Resource Center for Veterans to facilitate support, information-sharing, and advocacy
• expanding support to the Mizzou Student Veterans Association
• providing leadership in the employment of veterans
• reaching out to the veteran and service member applicant pool of prospective students and employees
• actively assessing the climate for veterans on campus
• expanding financial resources for veterans.