Intrductin: In the Fall f 2013 the Office f Equal Opprtunity Prgrams (EOP) at the University f Virginia (UVa) surveyed University faculty and staff members t determine the level f interest present amng that grup t establish an emplyee netwrking grup fr veterans f U.S. military service. EOP received mre than 100 respnses frm faculty and staff in the academic units and the medical center. EOP spnsred an initial netwrking meeting n Veteran s Day 2013 frm which a set f participants vlunteered t serve as interim leadership fr the netwrking grup. The advisry grup met ver the curse f several meetings t begin initial strategy sessins. In rder t best serve the veteran cmmunity it was decided by the ERG leadership that a cmmunity survey shuld be cnducted t learn mre abut the current envirnment. The survey results t fllw are the summary f the data btained frm this prcess. The advisry grup will be reviewing this imprtant feedback frm the UVa veteran cmmunity in rder t establish a successful and sustainable netwrking grup fr military veterans n Grunds. Survey Sectin 1 Cmmunity Characteristics Fr purpses f establishing an effective netwrking grup fr U.S. military veterans the fllwing infrmatin will be helpful t the interim leadership team in interpreting the results f this UVa veteran cmmunity survey. 1. Fr which area f the University d yu wrk? Ttal = 83 Respnses Academic (Includes Schl f Medicine, Nursing, & HS Library) = 40 (48.19%) Medical Center = 40 (48.19%) University Physicians Grup = 0 UVa Cllege at Wise = 0 Other = 3 (3.61%) [1 Athletics, 1 Bth Academic & Medical, 1 Univ. Building Official s Office] 2. Please indicate the specific schl/unit/department in which yu wrk. (Optinal) = 73 Respnses frm bth Academic and Medical Center Areas. Medical Center and SOM were well represented, fllwed by Facilities Management. 3. What is yur emplyment categry? Ttal = 82 Respnses Faculty = 10 (12.2%) Prfessinal Research Staff = 0 Staff = 60 (73.17%) Wage/Hurly = 9 (10.98%) Other = 3 (3.66%) [Manager, Cntractr, General A&P Faculty] Page 1 f 11
4. Hw lng have yu wrked fr the University f Virginia? Ttal = 83 Respnses 0-3 Years = 16 (19.28%) 3-6 Years = 9 (10.84%) 6-10 Years = 12 (14.46%) 10-15 Years = 18 (21.69%) 15+ Years = 28 (33.73%) 5. In which branch f the U.S. military did yu serve (whether Active, Guard, and/r Reserve)? Ttal = 82 Respnses Air Frce = 19 (23.17%) Army =33 (40.24%) Cast Guard = 0 Marines =11 (13.41%) Navy = 19 (23.17%) 6. Hw lng has it been since yu left active duty? Ttal = 83 Respnses 0-3 Years = 3 (3.61%) 3-6 Years = 4 (4.82%) 6-10 Years = 4 (4.82%) 10-15 Years = 16 (19.28%) 15+ Years = 51 (61.45%) Nt Applicable (Still in Reserve r Guard Service) = 5 (6.02%) 7. Are yu currently participating in any f the fllwing: Ttal = 80 Respnses Active/Drilling Reserve = 3 (3.75%) Active/Drilling Natinal Guard = 1 (1.25%) Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) = 3 (3.75%) Unsure = 0 (0%) Nt Applicable = 73 (91.25%) Page 2 f 11
Survey Sectin 2 Grup Purpse The primary purpses f the UVa Military Veterans Cmmunity grup are t prvide netwrking pprtunities, educatin and infrmatinal resurces, supprt and cmmunity building, as well as advcate fr the veteran cmmunity with University leadership as necessary. 1. Are there any key purpses ther than thse listed that wuld be f imprtance fr yu? Why? Ttal Respnse = 88, 11 f which had a values listed ther than N r Nt that I am aware f. The need t have the UVA staff and supervisrs given infrmatin n Sldiers that are returning back t UVA that have PTSD and ther disabilities instead f turning a blind eye t them. Supprt fr family members, were it needed, in times f truble if I were nt available. Access t Veterans Hspital. retirement Insuring military benefits t UVA emplyees wh are deplyed. This affects all areas f benefits including supplemental pay fr lst wages due t the deplyment. The lst wages n deplyment can be devastating t the deplyed emplyees family bligatins. Wrking as a team player, because withut a team there wuld be n rganizatin, time management, and mrale. I nly 'came ut' as a Vietnam-era veteran when I realized that in certain matters, e.g., prpsals t the Natinal Science Fundatin, University publicity, etc., I was being discriminated against because I am a white male. Supprt is very valuable in frm f transitinal supprt/advice. Hw we d things, what we say, hw lng we wrk, and hw we relate are all different, transitin is difficult. nt sure resurce supprt because i feel that there is nthing fr veterans t fall n r get the help they need and supprt.t many veterans are wrking with disabilities and they expect the same f yu as everybdy else 2. With regard t NETWORKING, please indicate the types f netwrking events in which yu wuld be interested t participate. Ttal Respnse = 214 (Respndents culd make multiple selectins - % is calculated n sectin) Mnthly Grup Meetings = 15 (18.07%) Quarterly Grup Meetings = 47 (56.63%) Annual Grup Meetings = 21 (25.30%) Meetings Scheduled During Nrmal Wrk Hurs = 46 (69.7%) Meetings Scheduled Outside f Nrmal Wrk Hurs = 20 (30.3%) Meetings t Facilitate Mentrship Opprtunities = 27 (41.54%) Meetings t Facilitate Prfessinal Develpment = 35 (53.85%) Other = 3 (4.61%) [Transitinal Supprt Meetings] Page 3 f 11
3. With regard t EDUCATION/INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES, please indicate the tpics that wuld be f interest, r wuld have been when yu began wrk at UVa. Ttal Respnse = 264 (Respndents culd make multiple selectins) Benefits frm U.S. Department f Veterans Affairs = 54 (20.45%) Benefits frm the University f Virginia = 51 (19.32%) Infrmatin n transitining t emplyment with the University f Virginia = 16 (6.06%) Presentatins n tpics relevant t the veteran cmmunity such as transitin assistance, career develpment, PTSD, Trp Supprt, Wunded Warrir Prgram, etc. = 34 (12.88%) Charlttesville cmmunity resurces fr veterans = 37 (14.02%) Resurces fr military veteran family and friends = 35 (13.26%) UVa career grwth pprtunities = 35 (13.26%) Other = 1 (0.38%) Benefits, resurces and pprtunity fr us Vets that did nt d any Active Duty except fr training and we received Hnrable Discharges but are nt recgnized in many places as Vets because f the lack f Active Duty time. 4. With regard t SUPPORT/COMMUNITY BUILDING, please indicate the type f cmmunity supprt r cmmunity building activities that wuld be f interest t yu. Ttal Respnse = 179 (Respndents culd make multiple selectins) Supprt pprtunities fr family and friends f veterans (Ex. Discussin bard, regular supprt meetings, etc.) = 32 (17.88%) Cmmunity activities t supprt lcal veterans grups (Ex. Visiting lcal Am. Legin r VFW, etc.) = 40 (22.35%) Cmmunity activities t supprt active duty trps (Ex. 5K fundraiser, care package building sessins, etc.) = 32 (17.88%) Supprt pprtunities fr veterans entering the UVa wrkfrce = 41 (22.91%) Cmmunity activities which cnnect faculty, staff, and students f the University = 30 (16.76%) Other = 4 (2.23%) Supprt fr veterans already at UVA wrkfrce. n/a nne Luchens, Dances, Bwling, BBQs, Fun Day Page 4 f 11
5. With regard t ADVOCATING fr the veteran cmmunity, please indicate the rle yu think the UVa Military Veteran Cmmunity (UVaMilVets) shuld serve and the primary tpics arund which yu feel it wuld be helpful t prvide infrmatin frm the U.S. military veteran cmmunity. Ttal Respnse = 138 (Respndents culd make multiple selectins. Percentages calculated fr each sectin f answer pprtunities.) UVaMilVets leadership shuld be authrized t serve as an advcate fr the veteran cmmunity with institutinal leadership if they slicit cmmunity feedback = 36 (63.15%) UVaMilVets leadership shuld nt be authrized t serve as an advcate fr the veteran cmmunity with institutinal leadership even if they slicit cmmunity feedback = 3 (5.26%) UVaMilVets leadership shuld be authrized t serve a veteran cmmunity advcate ONLY fr certain tpics t be determined by the verall cmmunity = 18 (31.58%) UVaMilVets shuld advcate fr the veteran cmmunity arund University Plicies and Prcedures regarding military service veterans = 38 (46.91%) UVaMilVets shuld advcate fr the veteran cmmunity arund University benefits changes that will impact veterans = 41 (50.62%) Other = 2 (2.47%) UVa Mil Vets shuld advcate fr veteran and military students, current and future N/A 6. If there are any ther cmments r suggestins yu have relating t NETWORKING, EDUCATION/INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES, SUPPORT/COMMUNITY BUILDING, r ADVOCATING please include them in the space prvided. Ttal Respnse = 6, 3 f which were n/a r nne It wuld help newly emplyed veterans t be paired with an emplyed veteran at UVA upn hire, especially within their wrk area r department. Cntact inf fr utreach. If yu are an hnrably discharged veteran and yu cme t wrk at UVa, after yu are vested yur time served as a veteran shuld be autmatically added t yur time nt t excide 10 years. ie. yu served 15 years in the military, after wrking fr UVa fr 5 years, 10 years f yur military time is autmatically added t yur time in service at UVa. If yu were in the military fr 4 years, then 5 years vested at UVa plus 4 years wuld give yu 9 years tward retirement frm UVa. Survey Sectin 3 Current Climate In rder fr UVa Mil Vets t fulfill its missin, we think it is imprtant t gain a better understanding f the current climate fr military veterans n Grunds. The next series f questins will help us identify hw the University is perceived with regard t military friendliness (veterans are welcmed, supprted, and respected). 1. Have yu identified yurself as a military service veteran t yur supervisr(s)? Ttal Respnse = 75 Yes = 68 (90.67%) N = 6 (8%) Unsure = 1 (1.33%) 2. Have yu identified yurself as a military service veteran t yur c-wrkers and peers? Ttal Respnse = 74 Yes = 67 (90.54%) N = 4 (5.41%) Unsure = 3 (4.05%) Page 5 f 11
3. Have yu identified yurself as a military service veteran t the University thrugh human resurces? Ttal Respnse = 75 Yes = 50 (66.67%) N = 4 (5.41%) Unsure = 18 (24%) Please briefly explain why yu chse t identify yur military service r why yu chse nt t identify. Ttal Respnse = 56 (Being Prud is mentined 25 times, Skills develped are jb relevant is mentined 13 times, 4 respnses indicate that it was identified t mdel r influence behavirs fr thers, 2 didn t identify because they didn t want the UVa t get sme perk withut actually serving veterans, 1 feared a negative utcme fr disclsing) I identified my military service because it was relevant t the jb I was applying fr at UVa. I am prud f my service. Prud f my service. Many times it directly affected my wrk at UVA I am extremely prud f the service I have rendered, thus ensure that everyne knws that I am a veteran. My supervisr did because f my deplyments t Iraq and he was als prud f my Service, but sme in my wrk area was nt. Qualificatins and pride in wearing the unifrm. HR asked. Others - it came up in cnversatin. I chse t identify my military service because I am prud t have served hnrably and t hpefully gain respect frm disrespectful managers, c-wrkers, and students. T relay the leadership experience and envirnment in which it was gained. As explanatin fr wrk gap and surce f skills. Pride. Asked n applicatins and during general cnversatins with c-wrkers. I am prud that I served. It is relevant t my prfessin. HR asked. My Oath f enlistment has n expiratin date. I am prud I served my cuntry and bring management and perfrmance skills t my jb. It came up as a matter f cnversatin with my Directr and thers in my Center. I chse t identify myself because it is wh I am. I have experienced a lt and that has helped me establish certain characteristics. Prud t have served my cuntry I'm prud if it I am very prud f my service in the USMC I dn't think anyne wuld care. Pride in my service t this cuntry. relevancy... I'm prud f my Navy service, and my experiences/training helped me get my current jb here. It was part f my emplyment histry and I was prud t have served. Very prud t have served my cuntry. I wuld g back nw if I culd. Pride. Cnfirm my depth f experience in my field Page 6 f 11
Prud f my service t the military, I thank military peple have a gd leadership After serving 20 years n active duty I have sme disabilities that may impact my jb Many times this infrmatin is used fr the benefit f the rganizatin (such as additinal funding and federal grant status) nt fr veteran and service member welfare and respect. I am prud t have served. I am prud f my service. Als, as faculty, I am seeing mre and mre students wh are veterans. I want them t knw they have an advcate in me. T make everyne aware f the pssibilities f mbilizatin prud t be a Marine It appears that the way I carry myself slicits questins f military service hence the OR's knwledge f my service. Peple asked, and brught up in cnversatins. I d nt wish t be anther instance where UVA gets a gvernment perk n its emplyees achievements while ding nthing fr the emplyee ther than emplyment. Our military service shuld nt be used t just get mre funding frm sme agency. It s smething that I am very prud f. ptential fr deplyment and fr yearly annual training bligatins I'm extremely prud f being a retired Marine. I identified my military service because wrk had t knw my drill status fr scheduling and als t give a little infrmatin abut myself utside f wrk. Prud f my service and like t talk with thers abut it. Cwrkers seen tats and asked I am prud f being a navy vet Military identificatin was btained by applicatin prcess nly. N ne has asked r has been cncerned regarding my veteran status. I am prud f my service; it is a vital part f my prfessinal backgrund that helped develp my skills, talents, and knwledge. I nly identified as a veteran when I realized that as a white male, I was being discriminated against, by, e.g., University P.R. peple. It was my life fr 20 years, I have served arund the wrld and while I am nt specifically defined by the Army but it has influenced all aspects f my life. I just d I'm prud f my service Because I served. Nthing mre it s very imprtant t me I d nt think that I have identified myself thrugh HR because f the 180 hur Vet classificatin. I cmpleted ROTC at cllege. I was awarded a military schlarship. I cmpleted my service in the Army Reserves fr 12 years and then hnrable discharged ut. All f my active duty was fr schl r my unit's annual training. I am extremely prud t have served in the U.S. Air Frce as a Vietnam era veteran. Well I think it is gd t let peple knw wh yu are and hw prud yu t be a veteran. Page 7 f 11
Please indicate yur level f agreement with the fllwing statements. Ttal Respnse = 73/74 (n tw questins) 4. I feel that the University f Virginia welcmes military service veterans as faculty and staff members. Strngly Agree =9 (12.33%) Agree = 29 (39.73%) Unsure=30 (41.1%) Disagree = 5 (6.85%) Strngly Disagree = 0(0%) 5. I feel that my military service is valued by thse with whm I wrk mst clsely. Strngly Agree = 13 (17.57%) Agree = 29 (39.19%) Unsure = 22 (29.73%) Disagree = 6 (8.11%) Strngly Disagree = 4(5.41%) 6. My direct supervisr is knwledgeable abut unique emplyment plicies related t my military service. Strngly Agree = 4 (5.48%) Agree = 12 (16.44%) Unsure = 38 (52.05%) Disagree = 14 (19.18%) Strngly Disagree = 5 (6.85%) 7. My human resurces cntact is knwledgeable abut unique emplyment plicies related t my military service. Strngly Agree = 2 (2.74%) Agree = 10 (13.7%) Unsure = 47 (64.38%) Disagree = 8 (10.96%) Strngly Disagree = 6 (8.22%) 8. UVa des a gd jb f recruiting military service veterans t becme faculty and staff members. Strngly Agree = 0 (0%) Agree = 6 (8.22%) Unsure = 52 (71.23%) Disagree = 12 (16.44%) Strngly Disagree = 3 (4.11%) Page 8 f 11
Page 9 f 11 UVa Military Service Veteran Cmmunity Survey Reprt (Spring 2014) 9. I believe that five years frm nw I will be wrking fr UVa. Strngly Agree = 12 (16.44%) Agree = 31 (42.47%) Unsure = 23 (31.51%) Disagree = 3 (4.11%) Strngly Disagree = 4 (5.48%) 10. Hw I was treated based n my military service was imprtant t my decisin t wrk fr the University. Strngly Agree = 3 (4.11%) Agree = 13 (17.81%) Unsure = 21 (28.77%) Disagree = 27 (36.99%) Strngly Disagree = 9 (12.33%) 11. Hw I am treated based n my military service is imprtant t my cntinuing in emplyment with the University. Strngly Agree = 5 (6.88%) Agree = 27 (36.99%) Unsure = 17 (23.29%) Disagree = 18 (24.66%) Strngly Disagree = 6 (8.22%) 12. I wuld recmmend wrking fr the University t ther military veterans I knw. Strngly Agree = 22 (29.73%) Agree = 32 (43.24%) Unsure = 15 (20.27%) Disagree = 4 (5.41%) Strngly Disagree = 1 (1.35%) Are there any ther items related t yur military service and the University that are imprtant t yu? If s, please prvide a brief descriptin. Ttal Respnse = 12 I dn't believe UVA actively lks at recruiting veterans with specific skill sets that can be utilized especially within the craft psitins. It is imprtant t knw that previus managers were ppsed t my military leadership style. Making sure that supervisrs are aware f USSERA N Discunts (r schlarships) fr nline curses. Discunts at Cavalier Cmputers. Leaderships, team wrk, and always fllwing thrugh in the wrk envirnment (the jb isn't dne till everyne has cmpleted their task). Yes, I had excellent management and leadership training and experience curtesy f the USAF. At the University there is always sme administratr whse jb it is t stifle any leadership yu might shw and t take credit if yu d smehw manage t accmplish smething.
UVA is nt defined by the lcal veterans as military friendly. I have lived in the area since 2008 and never heard f anything dne by UVA as mil-friendly. UVA culd be a rle mdel fr ther schl t immlate in veteran friendliness fr emplyment and students, if pwer and authrities wuld supprt it. nne Yes, Recgnize All Vets fr whatever they did in ur armed services. Find a way t accept us all. I was an Independent Duty Crpsman in the Navy and I am nt able t utilize my military experience and leadership skills as an E6. Survey Sectin 4 Grup Structure 1. Please indicate which categries shuld be invited t participate in the UVa Military Veteran Cmmunity grup. Ttal Respnse = 70 UVA Faculty and Staff ONLY = 10 (14.29%) UVA Faculty, Staff, and Students ONLY = 19 (27.14%) UVA Faculty, Staff, Students, Family and Friends f UVa service veterans ONLY = 13 (18.57%) UVa Faculty, Staff, Students, Family and Friends, and Charlttesville cmmunity service veterans = 28 (40%) 2. Shuld the UVa Military Veteran Cmmunity grup hld electins fr leadership psitins? Ttal Respnse = 72 Yes, n an annual basis = 9 (12.5%) Yes, every tw years = 22 (30.56%) N, all wh vlunteer shuld serve as an advisry bard = 15 (20.83%) N Opinin = 26 (36.11%) 3. Please indicate the amunt f time yu imagine yurself t be willing and able t cmmit t participating in the UVa Military Veteran Cmmunity grup. Ttal Respnse = 68 1-2 Hurs Annually = 12 (17.65%) 3-5 Hurs Annually = 20 (29.41%) 6-10 Hurs Annually = 15 (22.06%) Mre than 10 Hurs Annually = 21 (30.88%) Page 10 f 11
Cmments If there are any additinal cmments that yu wuld like t make regarding the establishment f a U.S. military veterans cmmunity grup at UVa please include them in the space prvided. Ttal Respnse = 17 I think the UVA staff and Supervisr's need t be trained n hw t help Sldiers wh returned frm the battlefield with PTSD r with ther injuries, they seem t push them t the side r int an ffice away frm ther peple s n ne can see them r be near them. Take advantage f the pprtunity t prperly infrm all military veterans at UVA frequently and accurately. It is imprtant nt t stratify this grup. Electins tend t plarize and we need t avid this. An equal bard f advisrs culd be established with equal representatin by department r equivalency. Let the principle f subsidiarity apply t that selectin prcess, but surveys and general meetings are key. Please prvide a meeting lcatin that will allw medical center emplyees t attend and return back t wrk at a reasnable time if during wrk hurs I believe that a small mnetary additin in pay wuld help recruit mre veterans. n The University shuld make use f the experience f veteran leadership ability rather than marginalizing it. Supprt (cntinuatin f benefits, salary supprt, jb respnsibilities n return frm deplyment) shuld be prvided fr staff wh are activated fr service. Returning trps shuld nt have t lk t the ESGR t retain what is specified in Federal regulatins. I think it is imprtant that any veterans' grup be prepared t reach ut t students. The newly returning veterans need help making the transitin t the classrm as well as the wrkfrce. I think this is a GREAT idea n/a Every veteran I have spken t is unwilling t allw their service t this cuntry t be used as a PR stunt r gvernment slely perk fr the University Smetimes I just want t talk t smene f my kind, and my cwrkers are nt vets s I hpe there are meetings Staff, faculty, and students at first. Then certain events culd include utside members. The schl shuld hire a liaisn and then the advisr bard wuld pass things thrugh the liaisn t the designated VP r even the President, if needed and ideally. nne I think sme f the events shuld exclude the Charlttesville Cmmunity but nt all f them. As a female veteran, it wuld be amazing (and wnderful) if I culd cnnect with ther female vets here at UVa r in the Charlttesville cmmunity. I wuld als be happy t vlunteer/serve in any capacity yu may need me. If there are questins abut the infrmatin yu have prvided, wuld yu be willing t be cntacted fr additinal infrmatin? Ttal Respnse = 18 Peple were willing t be cntacted fr mre infrmatin Page 11 f 11