Fanshawe signs memorandum of understanding to support military-connected students

(London, Ontario)—Fanshawe has partnered with four other Ontario colleges to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a framework to offer military-connected students barrier-free and local access to program completion.

The MOU was signed simultaneously by each college president at a virtual event on Tuesday, April 11.

Military-connected students include learners who are currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, whether in the regular or reserve force, honourably released Veterans and their immediate family members (spouse/partner and dependent children).

The colleges will work together to reduce barriers for military-connected students who move inter-provincially due to Canadian Armed Forces service. Where possible, the colleges will undertake several initiatives, including:

• transferring up to 100 per cent of course credits while recognizing distinct college requirements;
• streamlining the enrolment process between institutions; and
• sharing of military-affiliated prior learning and assessment recognition practices to support institutional consistency.

“We are delighted to sign this MOU and collaborate with other colleges to unlock the potential of our military-connected students,” says Peter Devlin, President of Fanshawe College. “This agreement will complement our promise to provide barrier-free academic learning and institutional support that military-connected students may need to complete their college education.”

The MOU was spearheaded by Darryl Cathcart, a retired Canadian Armed Forces soldier and founder of Release Point Education, an organization that has a vision of fostering the realization of academic excellence by supporting military-connected students through the provision of specialized, relevant and credible programming.

The Ontario College Application System (OCAS) will also now include a self-identification option allowing military-connected learners to disclose their Canadian Armed Forces affiliation. This new feature, championed by Darryl Cathcart of Release Point Education and supported by all 24 Ontario public colleges, allows participating colleges to identify newly enrolled military-connected students and establish dedicated support and services for this underrepresented group.