The University of Rochester was named a Top Military-Friendly University in Military Advanced Education's 2014 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities. The guide, which is available in print and online, provides potential students with information about institutions that give back to military service members.
"It's gratifying to receive recognition for our commitments to veterans and their families. But we would do it anyway. It's simply the right thing to do," said Jon Burdick, vice-provost for enrollment initiatives and dean of admissions and financial aid.
In recent years, the University has provided increased financial resources for vets by joining the Yellow Ribbon program and creating the Rochester Pledge Scholarship. By providing full-tuition scholarships to qualified, post-9/11 veterans, Rochester Pledge has helped ease the financial burden for veterans wishing to attend several of the University's schools and colleges. Since the scholarship's inception, the number of veterans enrolled at Rochester has increased slowly, yet steadily; 32 veterans currently study on campus.
Last month, the University expanded its resources and support services through the creation of the Veterans Alliance, a new affinity group on campus. The group will provide networking, mentoring, and support for veteran and active military members from across campus and at all academic levels. A new Veterans resources guide also will provide vets a single place to look for information on the many offices and departments they may interact with throughout their academic careers.
Among the attributes considered in evaluating institutions for inclusion in Military Advanced Education's guide are the flexibility of online learning options, extent of transfer credits accepted by degree level, on-campus ROTC, Servicemember Opportunity Colleges (SOC) participation, on-campus active duty/veteran assistance, the support provided to the families of servicemembers, faculty trained in veteran reintegration issues, presence on military installations, and full-time counselors trained in veteran-specific mental health concerns, to name a few.