WHEREAS, California is home to approximately 1.3 million veterans, with many seeking higher education opportunities within the state's community colleges and in the University of California system, over 70% of undergraduate veterans enrolled in 2018-19 entered as community college transfers (UCOP, 2023);
WHEREAS, Student veterans often face unique challenges, including difficulties adjusting to campus life, navigating benefits, and balancing academic and personal responsibilities with 62% of student veterans and servicemembers are first-generation college students, compared to 43% of non-military-affiliated students (National University, 2023) and these challenges can impact retention and degree completion rates;
WHEREAS, Despite these challenges, student veterans demonstrate strong leadership potential and resilience and programs such as the Veteran Student Council at Saddleback College exemplify efforts to represent and support veteran students within student government (Saddleback ASG, 2023); however, the lack of dedicated veteran representation in associated student government (ASG) results in policies that may not adequately address the needs of veteran students; and
WHEREAS, Research highlights the importance of institutional support for student veterans and institutions that invest in veteran-specific programs see increased retention and academic success (UPCEA, 2023) and dedicated Veteran Resource Centers already have funding and essential resources available, as evidenced by programs supported through the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and state legislation (California CCCCO, 2023; AB 97, 2017-2018); however, without a formal student voice integrated into ASG, there is a risk that these resources may not be allocated or monitored effectively to meet the evolving needs of veteran students; Now, therefore it be
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges establish a Veteran Student Committee and encourage student body associations (SBAs) to establish a Veteran Student committee within their SBA and implement leadership training tailored for student veterans interested in ASG participation, which will equip them with the skills and confidence to advocate effectively for their community and ensure that resource allocation aligns with student needs, and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges
create a toolkit providing information on how an SBA can make such a change for the purpose of ensuring that student veterans have a direct voice in decision-making processes, what types of training for interested veterans should be provided, and how to provide essential oversight on how existing funding and resources already allocated for veteran support centers can be utilized; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with the California Community College Chancellor's Officer to establish a Veteran Student Advisory Council that will select veteran students from the CCC system who will work within the council to collaborate with the veteran service centers and ASG while addressing veteran-specific concerns, propose policy changes, and serve as a forum for student veterans to report on and evaluate the use of funds and resources dedicated to veteran support services.
References:
[1] University of California Office of the President (UCOP). "UC's Student Veteran Community." (2023). https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/_files/uc-student-veteran-community.pdf
[2] VA Mental Health. "Student Veteran Mental Health." (2023).
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/student-veteran/learn-about-student-veterans.asp
[3] National University. "Military and Veteran Higher Education Statistics." (2023).
https://www.nu.edu/blog/military-and-veteran-higher-education-statistics/
[4] Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI). "Veterans in Higher Education." (2023).
https://pnpi.org/veterans-in-higher-education/
[5] UPCEA. "How Supporting Student Veterans Benefits Your Institution." (2023).
https://upcea.edu/how-supporting-student-veterans-benefits-your-institution/
[6] VA Research. "Veterans Face Challenges in Higher Education." (2023).
https://www.research.va.gov
[7] Saddleback College Associated Student Government. "Veterans Student Council." (2023).
https://www.saddlebackasg.com/veteransstudentcouncil
[8] California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. "Veterans Education and Transition Services."
https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Educational-Services-and-Support/Student-Service/What-we-do/Veterans-Education-and-Transition-Services
[9] California Legislative Information. "AB 97 – [Bill Text]." (2017-2018).
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB7