The Veterans Services Office works in tandem with the Financial Aid Office and the college to enable student veterans and dependents of veterans to take full advantage of their veterans education benefits as well as federal and state financial aid programs. The VSO strives to provide a positive and caring community for our student veterans built on shared experiences and dedication to service. We are committed to supporting opportunities for access to higher education and the achievement of vocational and professional goals through ensuring consistent and timely delivery of services to our students.
The VSO administers federal and state educational benefits programs for eligible veterans and dependents of veterans, serving those who are students at Butte College or who plan to attend Butte. These services include certification of veterans educational benefits, referrals to both on and off-campus resources including financial aid, and supervision of Veteran Work-Study students. The regulatory services are guided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Further guidance is provided by the Student Services and Special Programs Office within the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. The VSO also provides oversight for the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). They are located in the same building to provide veterans with easy access to information and certification, as well as to promote a sense of community for those who have the common bond of having served in one of the branches of the armed services. As with financial aid, regulations concerning new GI Bill chapters have grown exponentially while the number of staff -- one certifying official who also has financial aid responsibilities -- has remained the same. For several years, Butte College Veterans Services and the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) have received state and national attention for a model programming. This is a source of pride for Butte College but it has been accomplished on a shoestring and should be directly supported by district funds. We have seen a steady increase in the number of students served through the VSO over the past two years. This increase in numbers of student veterans is predicted to continue.
Veterans Counselor
Student Veterans and dependents of veterans are now able to have direct access to a counselor that is housed in the Veterans Resource Center, this has been extremly beneficial for the success of our veterans and dependents alike.
One-time funds from Student Equity to support the VRC.
Were able to purchase graphing calculators for student check out.
Book vouchers to Veterans
Dining gift cards
Travel for trainings
Survey monkey
Starter Rucks
Veterans Day Celebration
Signage
Special Programs Clerk funded through Student Equity
Assist VRC Coordinator with certification of Veterans Education Benefits
Outreach to Veterans
One-on-one counseling with Veterans relative to usage of benefits
Communication strategies to Veterans and dependents of Veterans
Assist in planning events and workshops
Veterans will have more access to financial resources as a result of applying and completing the Financial Aid process.
The VSO is committed to ensuring that our Veteran students receive adequate and equitable resources as they work towards meeting their educational goals. With the addition of the Special Programs Clerk and Veterans Counselor, we are confident that our efforts to add additional resources and services for our Veteran population will support and impact the overall College Achievement Standards and Goals.
Our current baseline measures are as follows in 2015-2016 we had 284 students utilizing the VSO services and resources:
FAFSA completion 75%: 212
Our goal is to increase FAFSA completion by 20%
Our goal is to have 100% of the students that submit a FAFSA, have their file reviewed and completed for Federal Student Aid eligibility
The VSO has implemented several initiatives that directly support the Strategic Direction and Priorities of the college. We have increased outreach to students that apply to the college and self-identify as a Veteran to inform them of the services and resources provided by the VSO. Our goals are directly aligned with the college through supporting entry and connection to important services that will support student success.
We also conduct outreach to students through mid-semester follow up with students utilizing the VSO services to ensure they are receiving the support they need, the Veterans Counselor is doing outreach to students who are having academic challenges to provide support and resources to ensure they meet their educational goals.
The VSO has not received a Program Review since 2007-2008 however, we are continually evaluating the policies, process, access, resources and support needs of the VSO and the students we serve. We are scheduled for a Program Review Fall 2017.
To have the campus community more involved with support and/or attending awareness events that highlight and support our Veterans.
Build stronger external relationships with community partners serving Veterans.
Strengthen communication strategies to better inform Veterans and dependents of services available.
Strategy 1 - Appropriate Compensation for District VA Certifying Official
ENSURE APPROPRIATE USE OF CATEGORICAL FUNDING. The salary and benefits for the VA certifying official are covered entirely by categorical funds. It would be prudent for the district to cover this cost as the scope of the duities for this position is outside that of the financial aid arena and appropriate use of BFAP-SFAA categorical funds.
The Chancellor’s Office does not currently provide a dedicated budget to support veterans programs. At Butte College, the FAO has historically supported all services for veterans through state financial aid programs funds (BFAP). The VSO and its student program (VRC) have been lauded state-wide as a model program, while the number of students served has increased by 75% over the past 4 years.
The Certifying Official(CO) is paid through Financial Aid Office state funding (BFAP) as a Financial Aid Assitant Senior, and is required to perform financial aid duties as well as those required in the VSO. Not only has the program grown in size, the scope of its work has increased by the complexity and number of state and federal regulations, overwhelming the original organizational and funding model.
The operations of the VSO, with increased regulatory compliance demands, should be under the oversight of a certifying official with supervisory responsibility.
In order to sustain the quality of service that has been recognized, we request (1) that the current certifying official be reclassified from a FAA II Senior to a class that compensates for program oversite and supervision of staff, (2) the cost of the certifying official be moved to the District budget, which would allow BFAP funds to be used for positions that more closely fit the intent of the allowable usage guidelines such as an administrative assistant for the FAO (see FAID Unit Plan);
Strategy 2 - Establish District Funded Operating Budget
Establish a district funded operating budget for supplies and training.
The Veterans Services Office currently receives no funds from the district for supplies and training. It is imperative that the certifying official stay current on changes to student eligibility, institutional responsibilities, and changes to VA programs.
Strategy 3 - Awareness & Celebrations of our student veterans
Hold events at district locations to celebrate our student veterans and to bring about awareness of the unique issues they face. Awareness would come in the forms of presenations and trainings for faculty, staff and students and also through our annual Veterans Day event.
Veterans face unique issues as the transition from combat to civilian life. Add to that the transition to acadamia and it can be very overwhelming for both the veteran and his/her family. It is imperative that we ensure faculty, staff and students have an awareness of these issues. Veterans bring a unique perspective on diversity to campus. The majority of our incoming veterans have spent extensive amounts of time living in other countries and have experienced the culture (food, music, government, industry, education) along side the citizens of those countries.
Strategy 4 - Computer monitors
4 additional computer montiors to support the transition to Image Now.
Having dual monitors will allow for staff to access and view multiple system requirements while serving students.
Strategy 5 - Hire Support Staff for VSO
Hire one part-time Special Program Clerks to assist with the intake, processing, outreach, data entry and campus community events.
Currently the VSO does not have a defined budget to support the many initiatives and goals it has set to enhance support and services to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO office is dependent on VA Work Studies (Volunteers) that are funded through the VA program, the addition of support staff will allow the VSO to be more visible during community and campus events, outreach efforts would expand dramatically, and student success will increase due to additional support provided to students. VA Work Study students do not have access to support data entry needs additionally, there is high turnover which leaves the VSO with less than adequate support to meet the overall strategic goals.
Strategy 6 - Veterans Resource Center Enhancements
Paint interior of the VRC (dingy and drab)
Purchase of tables that have power outlets for students to charge laptops in the VRC.
Students need to have access to charge their portable electronics at their workstation within the VRC. Currently students "could" plug into the wall but are unable to do so due to safety concerns. (Cords laying across the floor)
Strategy 7 - Veterans Counselor
Veterans Counselor to be housed in the VRC and provide direct support to veteran students and dependents.
Student Veterans and dependents of veterans are now able to have direct access to a counselor that is housed in the Veterans Resource Center, this has been extremely beneficial for the success of our veterans and dependents alike.
None requested
Department of Veterans Affairs decreased the per student reimbursement from $13 to $7 which calculates to $2,037. This is the only source of funding that supports the VRC and its operations.
Last year was estimated $5,000 from the VA for reimbursement at $13 per student, per term for whom we certify VA educational benefits for.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | To be established | 52120 | $0.00 | $92,277.00 |
| Compensation for FAA Senior/Veterans Certifying Official | Moving the CO to the district budget would more reasonably align with the spending guidelines of BFAP-SFAA funding and would free up some portion of BFAP-SFAA funds to assist with additional staffing needs in the FAO. |
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| 2 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | To be established | 52150 | $0.00 | $69,503.00 |
| One additional part-time support staff for the VSO | The VSO needs additional support staff in order to provide necessary services and resources to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO is operated by the Certifying Official, with increased implementation of state and federal changes and the higher turnover of VA Work Studies it is critical to provide additional support to ensure continued program success. |
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| 3 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Operating Expenses | To be established | 54200 | $0.00 | $2,500.00 |
| Printing, duplicating, office supplies, travel | Certifying official needs funds for training in order to stay current of changes in regulations and to better serve students. Funds are needed for basic operational costs such as paper and toner. |
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| 4 | Veterans Services | Operating Expenses | $0.00 | $2,000.00 | ||
| Campus Awareness | Establish budget for on-going events such as Veterans Day Celebration |
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| 5 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Facilities | $6,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Veterans Resource Center Enhancements | Because of the delay of Measure J and the VRC relocation is expected to happen 2026, the VRC is in dire need of upgrades. Purchasing of paint for the interior of the VRC including cost of labor, tables with built in power outlets for students to use their electronic devices. Currently they cannot charge their electronic devices at the work tables as cords laying across the floor has been a safety concern. |
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| 6 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | $0.00 | $119,619.00 | ||
| Veterans Counselor | Student Veterans and dependents of veterans will have direct access to a counselor that is housed in the Veterans Resource Center, this is extremely beneficial for the success of our veterans and dependents alike. |
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