by Elijah Morlett
G.I. Jobs Magazine, a national publication aimed at service members transitioning out of the military, has recognized Cameron University as a Military Friendly School for the second straight year.
This honor places CU in the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that help veterans in their goal of seeking further education. Associate Vice President Jamie Glover, CU’s spokesperson for this designation, said that the military community is a large part of Cameron’s history.
“Because of the long standing history, there is a deep appreciation for the service that our members of the military provide,” Glover said. “When there is a major decision for the university, the military is taken into great consideration in what we do next.”
According to Glover, research across the campus provided the necessary data for the designation. Departments that helped include the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Accountability, the Office of Veterans Affairs and Admissions.
Each department provided separate information to highlight the overall view of the military presence at the university.
“Twelve percent of our student population are active duty or military dependents,” Glover said. “That number does not include prior service personnel, so the number does not reflect the total military population at Cameron.”
Glover said that number might not reflect soldiers who are currently serving in reserve components.
The university has adopted several initiatives to help veterans while they are in school. Glover said one program helps the transfer of credits as service members move across the country.
“Cameron is a member of the Serviceman’s Opportunity College,” Glover said. “Schools in this program work to make sure that service members minimize the loss credit hours and ensures the amount of credits being transferred during the transition of schools.”
Another program offered by the university, Freedom to Learn, helps troops get laptops so they may access online courses through Cameron. If the student graduates through the program, the laptop is theirs to keep.
“Freedom to Learn was launched in 2009 to address the issue of soldiers taking courses during deployment, but not having adequate technology,” Glover said. “Active Duty soldiers that are taking six or more online credit hours can receive a laptop from the university if they wish. Soldiers from any location enrolled at Cameron can request a laptop.”
Another program that CU hosts comes from a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Yellow Ribbon program helps users of the Post 9/11 GI Bill completely cover the costs of the education as the students are using the benefits.
The university has also played a role in helping students on post and aiding Fort Sill’s training needs.
“Cameron has offered courses on post at the Harry S. Truman Education Center and provided computers to the building’s lab,” Glover said. “Also, there have been times that Fort Sill has requested the university to aid with language education.”
Glover says that Cameron will continue to aid the military community and the needs that arise.
“If there’s a problem, we want to hear about it,” Glover said. “Cameron is always looking to better serve all of our students and their unique needs.”