(1) As used in this section, the term “military student” means a student who is:(a) Enrolled in a Florida College System institution, state university, or career center.
(b) An active duty member or veteran of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard; a reserve component of any branch of the United States military; or the Florida National Guard; and his or her spouse and dependents.
(2)(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, and the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations, to establish the Collegiate Purple Star Campuses program. At a minimum, the program must require a participating Florida College System institution, state university, or career center to:1. Designate a staff member as a military liaison.
2. Maintain a web page on the institution’s website which includes resources for military students and their families.
3. Maintain a student-led transition program that assists military students in transitioning to the institution.
4. Offer professional development training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students.
5. Provide priority course registration for military students.
(b) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors may establish additional criteria to identify Florida College System institutions and career centers, or state universities, respectively, that demonstrate a commitment to or provide critical transition supports for military-connected families, such as hosting an annual military recognition event, partnering with a school liaison officer from a military installation, supporting projects that connect the Florida College System institution, state university, or career center with the military community, and providing outreach for military parents and their children.
