Resolution in Support of Veteran Student Success

Authors (2017-2018):      Justin Blakely (ASI President), Thomas Lobao (Representative for College of Arts and Humanities), Daylin Joseph (Elections Commissioner), Judith Steven (Representative for College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences), Carina Aguilar (Public Affairs Commissioner)

WHEREAS,    The Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) is the official student voice for more than 15,000 students at California State University, Dominguez Hills; and

WHEREAS,    It is the mission of the ASI “to advocate for the students’ rights, render an official voice through which students’ opinions may be expressed and provide educational, social and cultural activities which enhance student life at California State University, Dominguez Hills”; and

WHEREAS,    The CSU system, according to 2010 data, enrolled 11,663 veteran students  (including active duty and dependents), which represents 2.8% of the Fall 2010 CSU student body of 411,139; and

WHEREAS,    On average, within the 23 CSU campuses, the veteran students enrollment of 2.8% is approximately 507 veteran students per campus; and

WHEREAS,    Twenty of the CSU campuses reported the average retention rates for first-time freshmen at 80.8%; the rate for student veterans was reported at 75.5%; and

WHEREAS,    Eleven campuses reported the average 6-year graduation rates for first-time freshmen at 48.7%; the rate for student veterans was reported at 42.6%; and

WHEREAS,    Twenty campuses reported the average retention rates for new transfer students at 83.9%; the rate for student veterans was reported at 86.5%; and

WHEREAS,    Twelve campuses reported 4-year graduation rates for new transfer students at 63.3%; the rate for student veterans was reported at 63.5%; and

WHEREAS,    California State University, Domiguez Hills’ mission is to provide education, scholarship and service that is  accessible and transformative to veteran students; and

WHEREAS,    In Fall 2010, the total student population at CSUDH was 13,854 and from that total, the student veteran enrollment was 319, which made up 2.3% of the student body population; and

WHEREAS,    As of Fall 2017, the CSUDH Veterans Resource Center serves 299 veteran students; and

WHEREAS,    Of the 299 students the Veterans Resource Center serves, there are 137 undergraduate veterans, 43 graduate veterans, and 119 veteran dependents; and

WHEREAS,    Of the 299 students the Veterans Resource Center serves, there is a makeup of 64% male, 34% female and 2% non-binary; and

WHEREAS,    The student veteran graduation rate at CSUDH is 60%; and

WHEREAS,    The needs of veterans, military service members, and their families range from mental, physical health and support, educational access, job and economic opportunity, housing, temporary or one-time financial assistance, and more; and

WHEREAS,    The lack of resources negatively influence attendance, persistence, and graduation rates of our veteran students; and

WHEREAS,    There is a lack of data collected of our student veteran population at CSUDH and in the CSU system as a whole; and

WHEREAS,    The CSUDH Veterans Resource Center has limited resources, space, and hours of operation to adequately serve our veterans’ student needs; and

WHEREAS,    As more veteran students graduate, the Veterans Resource Center is serving less students, which could result in them losing their grants, tutors and graduate assistants; and

RESOLVED,   That ASI advocates that CSUDH Administration consider allocating additional resources that would help foster academic and personal support for veteran students; be it further

RESOLVED,   That the CSUDH Institutional Research department gathers and codes data on our veteran student population; be it further

RESOLVED,   That the CSUDH campus and the Veterans Resource Center offers resources that provide emotional support and advising related to academics that provide guidance for our veteran students; be it further

RESOLVED,   That ASI supports the Veterans Resource Center’s outreach efforts by informing students about the support services that the resource center offers; be it further

RESOLVED, That CSUDH continues to recognize our student veterans on Veterans Day through special programming; be it further

RESOLVED,   That CSUDH recognizes the outstanding service of our veterans and that we serve them with the same selfless dedication; be it further

RESOLVED,   That CSUDH continues to provide special programming in support of our student veterans and expands them to include military service to college credit articulation and special funding to further support our student veterans; be it further

RESOLVED,   That the University President and the University Cabinet are encouraged to include the Veterans Resource Center and dedicated support resources in the campus strategic and facilities master plan; be it further

RESOLVED,   That CSUDH provides public updates detailing the progress that the campus is  making on the recommendations for the Veterans Resource Center; be it further

RESOLVED,   That CSUDH provides resources to expand the Veterans Resource Center hours of operation to also accommodate night and weekend students; be it further

RESOLVED,   That CSUDH Institutional Research gathers and codes data for student veterans; be it further

RESOLVED,   That copies of this resolution be distributed widely, and specifically to: The students of CSUDH; University President, Dr. Willie J. Hagan; Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Michael E. Spagna; Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance, Ms. Naomi Goodwin; Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. William Franklin; Vice President of University Advancement, Ms. Carrie Stewart; Associate Vice President of Student Success, Dr. Paz Oliverez; Associate Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, Dr. Marcelo F. Vazquez; Vice President of Information Technology, Mr. Chris Manriquez; Special Assistant for Strategic Academic Initiatives, Dr. Keith Boyum;  the California State Student Association (CSSA); the CSSA Social Justice and Equity Council; the Academic Senate; Academic Affairs; and Student Affairs.​