(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.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §461.202 adopted to be effective August 29, 2018, 43 TexReg 5542