Veterans Affairs
California State University Channel Islands
Veterans Affairs
Overview
 Constituent Needs
 CSUCI Veterans Committee
 Background and Anticipated Growth
 Campus Inventory
 Systemwide Inventory
 Short Term Solutions
 Long Term Solutions
Veterans Affairs
Constituent Needs
 How to Apply to University
 How to Use VA Benefits
 Enrollment Certification for VA Benefits
 Evaluation of Prior Credit (Military and Academic)
 Transition to College Assistance

Access to Disability Accommodations

Access to Psychological Counseling
 Engagement , Activities, Clubs
Veterans Affairs
CSUCI Veterans Affairs Committee
Damien Pena – Orientation, Access and Transition Programs
Alan Pasternak – Personal Counseling
Valeri Cirino-Paez – Disability Resource Programs
Janet Rizzoli – Articulation Officer
Ginger Reyes – Admissions & Recruitment
Gina Farrar – Records & Registration
Colleen Forest – Records & Registration (VA Certifying Official)
Rachel Danielson – Records & Registration (VA Certifying Official)
Damon Blue – Records & Registration
Background and Growth
According to the Dept of Veterans Affairs…
 California is home to over 2.2 million
Veterans
 Over 175,000 service members are
stationed throughout the state
 California is home to over 35,000
National Guard and reservists
Background and Growth
How many veterans will return to Ventura County?
Dear Rachel:
That is very hard to predict, with the inception of the new Post
9/11 G.I. Bill in August of 2009, we expect our workload to
increase dramatically. Another factor for us is when the troops in
Iraq are reduced or released, the amount of students
significantly increases also. In Fiscal Year 2007 over 500,000
personnel utilized their GI Bill benefits nationally. We expect that
number to possibly double when the new bill goes into effect.
Thank you for contacting the VA
DLS/351/4354
Muskogee RPO
Current Veteran Enrollment
Federal Programs
Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30)
17
Chapter 34
0
Chapter 31 (voc rehab)
2
Chapter 32
0
Chapter 35 (dependants)
14
Chapter 1606 (GI Bill for Reservists)
5
Chapter 1607 (Reservists called to duty) 1
State Program
CalVET Fee Waiver
71
Veterans not using/don’t have benefits: Unknown
CSUCI Inventory
Electronic Certification of Enrollment for VA Benefits
Evaluation of Prior Credit: Military Credit and Academic Credit
Veterans Website and Brochure with information about Benefits and Services
Available
Psychological Counseling with Expertise on PTSD
Disability Accommodations / Educational Access Center
Access, Orientation and Transition Programs – Need programs for Vets
Veterans Student Club being formed – Janet Rizzoli, Sponsor
Systemwide Inventory
CSU’s Troops to College Initiative
All 23 CSU’s are participating in monthly conference calls
with the Chancellors Office to promote teamwork and raise
awareness
Campuses are forming Student Veteran Clubs (SDSU,
CSULB, Sac State).
Campuses are creating “Veteran Coordinator” positions and
centralizing many activities
Campuses are forming “Veterans Support Teams” to
coordinate Vet issues
Each campus has a Veterans web site
Some campuses partnering with military to facilitate access
(SDSU)
Short Term Solutions
Launch the Veterans Club
Enhance Veterans Website to include information on Personal Counseling,
Disability Accommodations and the Veterans Club
Develop Orientation and other Transition Programs for Vets and Dependants
Identify and Communicate with Veteran Applicants via the newly added Vet
Question on Mentor Application
Continue Veterans Affairs Committee meetings to improve communications
between various campus offices that provide services to Veterans; Expand
membership to include faculty representation
Long Term Solutions
Create a Veterans Coordinator position
Centralize Veterans Services within an Veterans Affairs
Office
Hire Student Assists who are Veterans – Can be funded
by VA if they work exclusively for Veteran students.