The main campus of West Virginia University has been home to about 360
veterans on average per year since 2005. According to West Virginia University
Psychology Professor Doctor Joseph Scotti, only 10 percent of veterans who come to
West Virginia University will leave with a degree.
Studies show the transition from combat to college despite gender, race, sex, or
age proves challenging for almost all veterans. During a veteran’s event on October 19th,
via video, John D. Rockefeller said the “transition from combat to college means not only
dealing with visible wounds but also invisible wounds.”
WVU began offering a small number of classes tailored specifically for military
veterans to assist veterans with their transition. Four veterans-only classes have been
offered each semester since their inception in the Spring of 2008.
“I think tailored military classes are a great idea,” Sergeant Sarah Leifheit said.
“Our oldest guy is 36 years old, and he doesn’t really fit in with the 18 year olds. We
have special needs. Even I struggle working with younger people. Vets have life
experiences they just don’t understand.”
Leifheit is not eligible to take tailored classes because they are all entry-level
classes or GECs she already has completed. This poses a problem for upperclass veterans
who would benefit from other veterans-only courses.
Veterans must seek help getting benefits from the G.I. Bill, finding housing,
financial aid, mental and physical injuries sustained in combat in addition to adjusting
from a combat setting to a classroom setting. This last issue proves the most difficult.
A study conducted by Dr. Scotti of West Virginia Veterans of the Iraqi and
Afghani War found 33 percent of veterans have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 42
percent return with some form of clinical depression. He also found that 46 percent of
veterans on campus suffer from PTSD. He also estimates many cases go undiagnosed.
This fall, WVU offered one section of Theatre 101, Communications 306, SPA
270 and Orientation 293-P to veterans only. Veterans showed little interest in these
classes and all these sections except Orientation 293-P were dropped from the registrar.
(http://wvuveterans.wvu.edu/veterans_programs_and_support).
Jerry McCarthy, an Undergraduate Coordinator at WVU explained not many
departments can afford to offer veterans-only classes because they have to pay for them
out of their budget. The university provides no specific funding for veterans-only classes.
Many departments don’t consider offering the classes because they are expensive
and veterans don’t take advantage of the classes available. English Professor Doctor
Laura Brady explained lack of enrollment and rising costs forced her department to stop
offering veterans only sections.
“We offered a veterans-only section of English 101 in the Fall of 2009,” Brady
said. “Unfortunately, the class enrolled only eight students instead of the usual enrollment
of 20 or 22 students. We tried offering another veterans-only section in the Spring of
2010, but we had to cancel that section when only 6 veterans enrolled. Given the needs of
other students at WVU, we could not afford to continue offering a class that left more
than 60 percent to 75 percent of the seats empty.”
Associate Professor of Lighting and Sound, Joshua Williamson, said the Theatre
Department received no response when they offered a section of Theatre 101 as a
veterans-only course.
McCarthy teaches the only class that had a successful response. Orientation 293-P
is recommended to veterans. It is their version of University 101. McCarthy said
enrollment is usually between 20 and 30 veterans who are eager to share their stories with
one another during class. He said exposure therapy by sharing their combat stories
benefits veterans.
“I don’t get paid any extra, but I think we should do this for our veterans,” said
McCarthy.
Funding remains the major issue of expansion. Different departments are starting
to experiment with the idea, however, not every department can afford it, especially every
semester. For example, the English Department was the first to offer veterans-only
courses but cannot afford to do so today. Brady said one veterans-only section of English
101 cost $3000. There were only six students enrolled.
“In place of a designated section, we are trying to spend some time discussing
veterans’ needs in our professional development workshops for faculty,” Brady said.
It’s clear the lack of funding and interest is the reason these veterans-only classes
have not been successful. Failure to offer higher-level courses is also a reason these
classes have not had a high success rate.
“Tailored classes are created at the convenience of the department without
consulting veterans,” Dr. Scotti said. “Lack of advertising within the department to
veterans may be another reason. If veterans don’t know they’re available until after they
schedule or after the semester begins, they obviously won’t enroll. More veterans take the
orientation class because it’s their version of university 101, and they are encouraged to
do so. Another reason could be enrolling in one of these classes makes the veterans feel
like they’re singling themselves out.”
Other universities across the nation have begun establishing similar programs.
Due to lack of studies and research, it is unclear how many universities offer these
classes. It is clear, however, that there is a positive response associated with the program
across the nation. WVU will continue experimenting with these classes hoping they will
one day expand to increase the graduation rate of veterans.