Policy on Military Student Success

I. Purpose. The University of North Carolina System is committed to the success of military-affiliated students, which for the purpose of this policy includes students who are U.S. military service members (including National Guard and Reserve members), veterans, spouses of service members or veterans, or dependent family members of service members or veterans. This policy, and its associated regulation, provide a framework for the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina System to develop and maintain a comprehensive network of services for military-affiliated students seeking to meet their educational goals. The president shall establish regulations to implement the requirements of these policies and to promote the general welfare of military-affiliated students.

II. Admission of Active Duty Service Members and Veterans

A. The University of North Carolina System and its constituent institutions are committed to equality of opportunity. Each constituent institution shall administer nondiscriminatory admissions policies by fairly evaluating the records of applicants.

B. For purposes of undergraduate admission to any constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, any individual having completed a minimum of three years of cumulative active duty service in the United States Armed Forces shall be exempt from minimum admissions requirements (MAR) and minimum course requirements (MCR) pursuant to UNC Policy, Section 700.1.1.2[R], although they may be considered first-time undergraduates (freshmen) for reporting and/or receipt of services. Applicants in this profile shall be required to submit a high school transcript or GED, college transcript(s) (if applicable), and a relevant military transcript for evaluation. The branch of service reporting the source of transferred credit hours earned through military training will function as the applicant’s institution of transfer. If discharged from active duty, the veteran must have received an Administrative (non-punitive) Discharge. This policy shall not apply to veterans receiving a “Bad Conduct or Dishonorable Discharge.”

C. Nothing in this policy guarantees admission for students. Constituent institutions retain sole authority for admissions determinations.

III. Data Collection and Reporting on Military-Affiliated Students. The president shall establish appropriate and uniform data collection procedures to enable the constituent institutions to identify and track the academic progress of military-affiliated students for the purposes of evaluating and reporting retention, graduation, and time to degree completion. Collecting, analyzing, and publishing this data supports the intent of Presidential Executive Order 13607 (“Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members,” issued April 27, 2012), aligns with the recommendations contained in the UNC SERVES April 2010 Report to the President, and serves to track progress made towards the implementation of Session Law 2014-67. Constituent institutions must develop appropriate protocols to assure the security of all information related to the status of active-duty students and students eligible to be activated.

IV. Residency Status of Military-Affiliated Students. North Carolina created and maintains its public institutions of higher education primarily for the benefit of the residents of North Carolina, and its institutions are generously supported by the General Assembly and the public. Nonresident military-affiliated students may be eligible to receive the in-state tuition rate under the conditions established by state and federal law, and the guidelines promulgated by the Residency Determination System (RDS).

V. Campus Support Structures for Military-Affiliated Students. The constituent institutions shall develop and maintain campus-based support networks, as well as a comprehensive series of community, regional, and national referrals for military-affiliated students to assist in successful navigation of their educational goals. These services shall include, but not be limited to, admissions, financial aid, housing, disability services, career services, health services and counseling, and other student services and supports offered under student affairs and academic affairs.

VI. Military Credit Transferability. The University of North Carolina System recognizes the value of the education, training, and experience that military students bring to the university. The University and its constituent institutions shall establish a process by which this learning can be evaluated for possible course credit. Such military learning may include, but will not be limited to, recruit training, military occupational specialty (MOS) training and education, Defense Language Institute foreign language coursework and exams, Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) coursework, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the DANTES Standardized Subject Test (DSST). The American Council on Education (ACE) credit equivalency recommendations shall serve as the standard reference work for recognizing learning acquired in the military.^{^[1]}

VII. Withdrawal Due to Call to Duty. The University of North Carolina System supports students called to active duty or training in the United States Armed Forces, including service in the National Guard or Reserve.^{^[2]} The policies of the constituent institutions shall assist, whenever possible, the student in withdrawing and re-entering the university without incurring financial or academic hardship. Such policies shall include but are not limited to:

A. Military Withdrawal

B. Refunds of Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses

C. Academic Credit

D. Deferral of Enrollment

E. Military Leave of Absence

F. Re-admission into the University

G. Scholarship Status

VIII. Other Matters

A. Effective Date. The requirements of this policy shall be effective on the date of its adoption the Board of Governors.

B. Relation to State Laws. The foregoing policies as adopted by the Board of Governors are meant to supplement, and do not purport to supplant or modify, those statutory enactments which may govern the activities of public officials.

C. Regulations and Guidelines. These policies shall be implemented and applied in accordance with such regulations and guidelines as may be adopted from time to time by the president.