3357:15-19-09. Service member and veteran support and assistance policy

Stark state college seeks to assist service members and veterans as they pursue an associate degree and/or certificate. In an effort to better serve this population, Stark state college has adopted this policy as required by division (B) of section 3345.21 of the Revised Code. The purpose of this policy is to set forth the support and assistance Stark state college will provide to service members and veterans.

(A) In alignment with section 3345.2 of the Revised Code, this policy utilizes the definitions for "service member" and "veteran":

(1) "Service member" means a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States.

(2) "Veteran" means any person who has completed service in the armed forces, including the national guard of any state or a reserve component of the armed forces, and who has been discharged under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.

(B) Support and assistance provided to service members and veterans

Stark state college will:

(1) Establish and maintain a service member and veteran student services office with designated space;

(2) Refer service members and veterans to proper local, state and/or federal agencies in the event Stark state college believes that the service member or veteran is eligible for services;

(3) Work with the ohio board of regents (OBR) to develop a veteran-friendly campus that increases the opportunity for service members and veterans to succeed academically;

(4) Work with other Ohio institutions of higher education to disseminate and share promising practices for serving service members and veterans effectively;

(5) Promote veteran-friendly campuses by utilizing the OBR's structure to disseminate and share promising practices statewide for serving service members and veterans effectively;

(6) Train appropriate faculty and staff to increase awareness of the mindset and unique needs of service members and veterans returning from combat zones and/or tours of duty overseas;

(7) Ensure consistent and sustained support from college leadership;

(8) Create "safe zones" for service members and veterans through a student service member/veteran club, organization or association and campus-wide awareness training;

(9) Provide a portion of student orientation (or a separate session) specifically for service members and veterans;

(10) Recognize the service of service members and veterans at various events such as graduation, community service awards, honors awards and an appreciation day;

(11) Regularly evaluate institutional policies and procedures that create barriers to service member and veteran success;

(12) Empower those working directly with service members and veterans to provide services designed to promote educational achievement, including the early alert process;

(13) Providing training, in partnership with veterans affairs, in the proper certification methods for certifying officials on campus;

(14) Develop a clear outreach strategy to communicate with eligible persons about educational and training benefits to encourage the use of GI bill benefits, as well as services and assistance offered by the institution;

(15) Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on service members and veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion;

(16) Continue to work with the legislature, workforce and higher education community to identify and develop statewide policies to ensure the transition to higher education is seamless for all students, including service members and veterans. This includes, but is not limited to, topics such as transfer, credit for prior learning and/or experience, career ladders, support services, etc.; and

(17) Ensure the campus community is aware of benefits associated with the new Post 9/11 GI bill and through our campus veterans' office and veteran coordinator(s) to actively find ways to connect returning service members and veterans with the services offered by the department of veterans affairs.

(C) Workforce training and education

(1) Stark state college will work to provide better access and success for service members and veterans in postsecondary education and training while improving transition to civilian work.

(2) Services provided will include:

(a) An online tool for exploring careers, searching programs in Ohio and providing consumer reporting information on earnings and employment outcomes for each program. Our website includes information targeted to service members and veterans regarding shortening the time to receive a credential or degree through:

(i) Expanding credit for prior learning;

(ii) Articulation and transfer agreements;

(iii) Bridge programs;

(iv) Online tools.

(b) Improving services for service member and veteran job seekers by promoting seamless workforce development services such as those provided at "Ohio Means Jobs" centers, career development, and through affiliates.

Effective: 3/16/2015
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3357
Rule Amplifies: 3357