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Explore the world of student veterans on campus, their diverse backgrounds, challenges, and learn how to offer support through Veterans Support Services. Discover resources and ways to engage with and assist student veterans.
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Camouflaged on campus:Veterans among us Margaret Baechtold Veterans Support Services
Camouflaged on campus • Veterans – who are they and what do we know about them? • How do we support them through Veterans Support Services? • What can each of us do?
Camouflaged on Campus http://www.idsnews.com/news/inside/spub/veterans/default.aspx • Many thanks to Biz Carson and Tom Miller at the IDS for their work on this multimedia project
Who are they? • All ages, races, academic levels, majors, ranks • Approximately 430 utilizing VA education benefits each term • 27% female • 13% minority • 37% transfer students • 30% non-continuous enrollment • Terms to graduation 5.58 (VR&E) to 10.17 (activated reservists) • 52% graduate within 6 years (campus rate 71%)
Who are they? • Self-identification as veterans varies • Reasons for serving and for leaving service vary • Experiences vary, combat exposure varies, reactions vary • Educational preparation, experience, and goals vary • What are our perceptions and expecations?
Veterans Support Services • Two FT staff, one instructor/grad assistant, four work-study students, one student hourly, one tutor • IMU M084 – office and student lounge • Benefits • Orientation, U206 class, tutoring, resume workshop, research assistance • Referral to campus and community resources • Military withdrawal processing • Intersection of military and campus cultureand language • Student Lounge • Place to be at home as a veteran/military member while learning to be at home as a student/civilian
What can we do? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Esni1RbwU • Be thoughtful of what you say and ask • Media often portrays the extremes, reality is usually in the middle • Listen: Essay by David Pyle • Recognize that each has a unique relationship to their military experience
What can we do? • Continue to care about them as students • Be flexible when appropriate • Recognize our own perceptions and stereotypes • Acknowledge their service sincerely • Golden Book Project: IMU Memorial Room
Discussion • Where do you find veterans on campus? • What needs do you see? • What more would you like to know about them? • What more could IU be doing? • How can VSS assist you in your interactions with veterans on campus?
Resources • National Center for PTSD: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ • Veterans in Higher Education: When Johnny and Jane Come Marching to Campus by David DiRamio and Kathryn Jarvis, ASHE Higher Education Report” Volume 37, Number 3 • Creating a Veteran-Friendly Campus: Strategies for Transition and Success, Robert Ackerman and David DiRamio (eds.), New Directions for Student Services, no. 126 • http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/MilitaryPrograms/serving/index.htm • http://vetfriendlytoolkit.org/
Questions???? Veterans Support Services IMU M084 www.veterans.indiana.edu vetserv@indiana.edu 812-856-1985 Margaret Baechtold, Director Sarah Gibson, Veterans Services Specialist John Summerlot, Instructor and campus historian