Overall Rating Platinum - expired
Overall Score 85.29
Liaison Tonie Miyamoto
Submission Date March 23, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Colorado State University
IN-4: Innovation 4

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Carol Dollard
Energy Engineer
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
CSU's Adult and Veteran Learners

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

Colorado State University has a long history of supporting many aspects of the adult learner population. The Adult Learner and Veteran Services office supports increased academic achievement and holistic development for all adult learners, including but not limited to veterans and student parents, resulting in graduation from CSU and sustainable personal and professional success. We do this through engagement and leadership opportunities, community building, and resource facilitation. For a full list of exceptional programs, see the attached letter. A few highlights:
- The ALVS office has been in existence since 2009 and was built on the Resources for
Adult Learners/Non-Traditional Student programs previously organized within Off
Campus Life.
- CSU applied for and earned one of twenty $100,000 American Council on Education/Wal-Mart Foundation Success for Veterans Grant in 2009 which supported the establishment of the office and SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society. Since inception, ALVS has been supported by students via student fees (now at $6.76).
- ALVS continues to host SALUTE headquarters, supporting operations of multiple
chapters and 4,500 students nation-wide.
- Since 2013 ALVS office has partnered with the State of Colorado – Department of Labor
and Employment to host a full-time Veteran’s Employment Representative.
- On October 30-31, the first-ever Veteran's Symposium was held on campus with 29 sessions and several keynote speakers.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

CSU's adult learner cohort has seen a 3.3% increase during the 2010-2013 time frame and a 89.6% increase in the number of student veterans during that time.

CSU has fully participated in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon GI
Enhancement Program since 2011, providing 50% of the cost of the difference between
in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees while the VA covers in-state tuition and the
remaining 50%.

CSU has been designated a Military Friendly institution by GI Jobs® for the past 5 years, placing in the top 15% of universities doing the most to support veterans returning to college.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement ---
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds ---
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste ---
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability Yes
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.