I'm challenging my local Community College on the depth and quality of their Veterans Access Services program. Where should I start?

SGT Casey Lovell — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 18:58:40 -0400

I was frustrated after receiving the blanket resolution of "we're able to provide a quiet area for Veterans to test seperately," as a response to multiple and wide-ranging Veteran student issues.

I've never been big on complaining without simultaneously providing a reasonable suggested change or path - in this case, I plan on pointing at the University of Idaho and their "Operation Education," program. I understand funding isn't the same, but I hope presenting a template for change will lessen the intimidation associated with heading that sort of charge.

Im asking in hope that some of you, through experience, can add suggestions as well.

Thank you!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 7:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 19:25:46 -0400

I and SGT Joshua Strup are members of our college SVA chapters. I'd suggest you start one, do some leg work with a few other Veterans and Vet Resources Representatives there and create that hub.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Jun 1 at 2016 7:41 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 19:41:11 -0400

Sir, you are already up to that challenge as you brought it before RP. There are several programs around the country. I would research those that are working and have had positive results. Then I would pass go and present myself to the Dean.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:48:02 -0400

SGT Casey Lovell I'm trying to follow the discussion, but I'm afraid I'm woefully ignorant of the special issues facing veterans in college. My experience is very old, as I was in college from 1973-77. We had many VN vets in college, but I was unaware of them being treated any differently than any other student. Would you mind outlining just a couple of examples of the issues you are talking about so I can understand the issue better. For example, what is the thing about separate testing areas for veterans? Are you referring to all veterans having a separate area, or are you referring only to those vets with PTSD issues that prevent them from comfortably being in crowded spaces or something? Any help in explaining this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:57 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:57:23 -0400

What were you requesting when you received that response? Did you send an email to the school and this is how they responded? Can you post the correspondence you sent that resulted in this response?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 1 at 2016 9:08 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:08:11 -0400

I gather since you'd mentioned Assoc as to where you'd submitted what youd sent, that you're going for that to begin with. I've been suggesting a couple of programs on here for some time now, you might not have seen what I'd mentioned before. Def look at http://www.excelsior.edu, a former NYS external prog that privatized and is now largely online, I've gathered, extrmly svc friendly, with numerous vets and svc mbrs as alumni. I got a 2nd Bach in math from them doing mainly the GRE subj tests, not the GRE genl tests. A fried of mine got his Bach inmmath through them, and got into an OCS on the basis of it, they're highly reputable fully accredited I've gathered, and while they'd costx could afford you a level of flexibility you might find useful. Also, look at http://www.uopeople.edu, no tuition, nonprofit, only admin and exam fees, you might be able to save your educ benefits for grad school. They just got accred by DETC formerly NHSC, have Assoc and Bach in bus admin, comp sci (not IT, different), and now health sci, with a new MBA as well, likely may add more majors, I don't know if they'll go doctoral, also, I don't know if VA or the svcs accept them, or how industry views them. I've read good things, they also have affiliation with larger conventional schools, and, for nearly free, what would you have to lose by looking and asking, you know? If you could posbly elaborate, also, as to your major, prior svc coursework progs, and if you've gotten a svc transcript, based on Amer council on educ or ACE guidelines, that might well help me think of other posbly suggestions. Also, and this is only a suggestion, pls understand, when I was I grad school, before my recent now VA approved total perm disability, I very explicitly asked for reasonable accommodation, under the Amer with disabilities act or ADA. If you ask for that, you'd need to submit clinical justification, however I only mention it as you'd raised the whole quiet testing area aspect. The ADA reasonable accommodation I'd been given allowed extra time testing, in a separate room, I only point out to you I actually did it albeit quite some time ago, as did many others in my grad program back then. Further, the sugstn about the stud vets of Amer or SVA here is very valid, look them up, and see where there are chapters near where you want to go you might ask to affiliate with, or, as also suggested here, you might also ask about trying to start a chapter, I don't know much about them though I've read about them, and they'd be a perfect body for you to seek out, by all means. Next, please, if you can, so far as you'd care to, of course try to explain your interests, motivations, and ultimate goals, as well as your major, and, as explicitly as posblz exasclt what coursework you've had. Next, the uscg auxiliary has a very little known masters program given near naval postgraduate school or NPS for its mbrs I did see a website about it. And, I'd heard the civil air patrol had considered a master's as well, though I'm not entirely certain. The uscg aux has their aux Univ prog or AUP , there's a website about it though that's not the website about the Masters their members can compete to attend that was separate. Look also at their auxop prog, which is also run at a very high and impresv level, from what I've read. Finally do you aphave certifications and or licensure from active of any kind that might be transferable at all as well? Just wondered, that's all. I hope all that was a help, if you'd like to chat, I'd be more than willing I've also read of sevl progs for, e.g., IT trainijpng expressly for vets, ove seen such sites online, with help finding work afterwards. Next, I didn't know if this might interest you at all, however I o ly suggest it in case it might. Look at the Paul Hall CTR for seamanship, of the seafarers Intl Union or SIU, a dynamite program that takes numerous vets run alongmquasi military lines, formerly the Harry lundeberg school in piney point MD, can get you fro apprentice or ordinary merchant uscg qualified seaman to bosun, then, they have feeder routes for deck and engine licensure in the merchant marine. In ID, look also at idaho estate Univ or ISU in Poxatello, ID, I'd looked at it quite seriously for grad school atmone point, excellent institution, fro what I'd seen and read, I often kick myself I never went to see it, honest. Pls do let me know your thoughts, I do have others however, I'll let you digest what I've sent herez if you want more, pls do ask, I'd be glad to try to suggest what I can honest, many thanks.

www.excelsior.edu

Excelsior College, an online college with degree programs, courses and exams in Business, Technology, Nursing, Liberal Arts, Health Sciences and Public Service.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 1 at 2016 9:21 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:21:56 -0400

Also, I'd forgotten, look at http://learnerstv.com , excellent review site, look also at Udacity, as well as all of the MIT Open Courseware or OCW site, in addition. Look at the Standard Deviants, a set of videos that had been on vhs, and I'm fairly certain are now on DVD, the name is a play on words fro statistics, excellent lectures, very useful. Then, too, look at the Schaum's outlines, excellent cheap very thorough classic review texts in mult areas, and the Research and Educ Assoc or REA problem solver seta botjmth large texts, as well as the condensed versions, you'll find all of that quite useful, promise.

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Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 1 at 2016 9:28 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:28:32 -0400

disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/530901.pdf I don't know ifnthe link will open if not just search for it using Google it was working when I'd tried it just now.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 9:24 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 09:24:07 -0400

You may want to check out http://www.veterans.idaho.gov/benefits-a-services/ova

Office of Veterans Advocacy

Joomla! - the dynamic portal engine and content management system

Response by Peggy Morrow made Jun 2 at 2016 9:29 AM

Peggy Morrow — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 09:29:58 -0400

If you could, PM me, I might be able to help.

Response by PVT Amos A. made Jun 6 at 2016 1:52 PM

PVT Amos A. — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:52:54 -0400

Great. One more veteran demanding preferential treatment from civilians for what? One more handout? Bad enough most of them buy into the "poor me veteran, I have PTSD. Dont light off fireworks near my house" crap.

Thanks for giving others the impression that we are par with homeless beggars.

On the other hand if you are truly disabled as in a head injury and have documented cognitive issues, then you are protected by ADA and they must provide you with alternative testing sites as well as allow you (not provide you) with other means of testing. Homework must STILL be on time despite being disabled.

If you cannot keep up with the class then you are not capable of that particular degree.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Jun 23 at 2016 12:21 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:21:29 -0400

When I went to school they would not recognize the GI Bill - nice welcome home!

Response by Sgt Chris Lima made Jun 28 at 2016 10:27 AM

Sgt Chris Lima — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:27:21 -0400

As a veteran who used Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11, and then became a special education teacher... I'd say quit whining. What reason do veterans have to need a separate testing area? You're getting a host of benefits that traditional students do not. Some which are necessary, many are simply a courtesy which should be appreciated humbly.

If there is an actual, legitimate reason that you or other veterans have to NEED a separate environment, it would have nothing to do with the fact that you are simply a veteran. It would have to be something in addition (possibly related) to that, like a disability.

This bothers me because I HATE seeing veterans flaunt their service or act entitled to things which are offered as a gesture of respect (discounts, etc...). I would never ask for a discount or benefit unless it is clearly offered. In this case, you need a MUCH better reason than simply having put on a uniform.

Response by PO3 Jerry Webb made Apr 4 at 2017 1:27 PM

PO3 Jerry Webb — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:27:52 -0400

If anything it would be best to either join an existing Vets group on the campus and if there isn't one, start one. Organize to find out what you're needs are; then go to the administration and takes steps toward getting what you want. Now come the caveat; beware of getting what you wish for.