(a) The Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award
(VEERA) Network is established to annually recognize outstanding Institutions
of Higher Education (IHEs) for excellence in providing education and
related services to veterans and that perform at an extremely high
level and greatly contribute to the overall success of student veterans.
(b) For the purpose of receiving an award the commission
shall evaluate an IHE regarding, as applicable, the existence and
quality of the services it provides to student veterans and other
eligible family members. To be considered for the VEERA, an institution
must:
(1) Be an IHE as defined in Texas Education Code §61.003(8).
(2) Self-nominate by submitting the required nomination
package.
(c) The VEERA is a non-competitive award which may
be awarded to multiple qualified IHEs. Levels of Recognition:
(1) Gold Award for Distinguished Services - recognizes
those IHEs that meet all criteria of the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels
of recognition, as outlined in the annual nomination packet;
(2) Silver Award for Superior Services - recognizes
those IHEs that meet all criteria of the Silver and Bronze levels
of recognition, as outlined in the annual nomination packet;
(3) Bronze Award for Excellent Services - recognizes
those IHEs that meet all criteria of the Bronze level of recognition,
as outlined in the annual nomination packet.
(d) Evaluation criteria include:
(1) Centralized place for students who are veterans
to meet or find assistance and information;
(2) An institution employee who serves as a central
point of contact for students who are veterans;
(3) A United States Department of Veterans Affairs
work-study program;
(4) Admission and enrollment policies for veterans;
(5) New student orientation and courses for veterans;
(6) A student organization for veterans;
(7) Academic support services for students who are
veterans;
(8) Mental health and disability services;
(9) A housing policy that applies to veterans;
(10) Faculty and staff training on issues affecting
students who are veterans;
(11) Career services for students who are veterans;
and
(12) Any other criteria considered necessary or appropriate
by the commission.
(e) Nomination window opens annually on November 1
and closes on April 1.
(f) Nomination packets shall include:
(1) the Self-Nomination Form;
(2) narrative statement describing impact of service,
innovation and creativity, and effectiveness of support and services;
and
(3) video of IHE's service center and amenities as
they relate to each qualifying category. Requests for nomination packets
may be submitted to educationawards@tvc.texas.gov.
(g) Nominations shall be screened for eligibility by
an awards committee composed of three members of the commission staff.
(h) Should the awards committee require additional
clarifying information, the IHE will be notified and be given 10 business
days to submit additional information.
(i) The decision of the awards committee shall be final.
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