Military on Campus

1. Military on Campus Developing a Culture of Appreciation and Support Joan Putnam,Veterans Coordinator Nathaniel Donnelly, Assistant Veterans Coordinator San Diego State University

2. Military in San Diego • Marine Corps Air Station Miramar • Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton • Marine Corps Recruit Depot • Naval Air Station North Island • Naval Amphibious Base Coronado • Naval Medical Center San Diego • Naval Station San Diego • Naval Submarine Base Point Loma

3. Economic Impact • The military contributes more than $13 billion annually to the regional economy • More than 260,000 veterans reside in the county • Approximately 27,400 active duty military will be mustered out in California this year; approximately 283,000 nationwide

4. San Diego State University • 35,800 enrolled students • More than 62,000 applications for 7,600 undergraduate spaces for fall 2008 • Ranked second in the nation for number of applications

5. Military at San Diego State • 839 veterans • 134 active duty military personnel • 146 dependents of veterans receiving benefits

6. Military Students • Bring real diversity to the campus • Have seen the world • Do not always think alike • Challenge and contribute to the intellectual vitality of the campus • Are more mature and focused

7. Military Students • Have strong leadership skills • Will become leaders and persons of influence in society • Are responsible citizens • Know how to manage their time • Many are the first in their family to go to college

8. Academic Success • Low dropout rate for first-time freshmen veterans • 7.5 points less than that of overall student body • High cumulative GPA for first-time freshmen veterans • .21 points higher than that of overall student body

9. Academic Programs • Five most popular majors: • Business Administration • Criminal Justice • Electrical Engineering • Physical Education/Kinesiology • Psychology • International Studies and Conflict Resolution • Public Affairs Officers Program • Language programs in Arabic, Persian, Russian, and Chinese

10. Special Programs • Beginning in March 2009: Professional Science master’s and graduate level certificate programs • Joint effort between SDSU, CSU San Marcos and Military Education Services Officers from Southern California • Special Admission Program for Active Duty and Veterans

11. Troops to College Working Group • Alumni Association • Associated Students • Cashiers Office • College of Extended Studies • Counseling and Psychological Services • Department of Military Science • Division of Undergraduate Studies • Enrollment Services • Financial Aid and Scholarships • Student Disability Services • Student Veteran Organization • Veterans Center

12. Reserve Officer Training Corps • Air Force ROTC • 115 cadets • Program for Army, Reserve and National Guard • Army ROTC • 1,145 cadets from eight local schools, mostly from SDSU • Naval ROTC • 100 students • Includes 60 active duty and 40 Midshipmen

13. SDSU Veterans Center • Opened July 2008

14. Veterans Center Highlights • One-unit transition course taught in fall 2008 • Discount to attend New Student Orientation • Priority registration – SB 272 • $1,000 academic scholarships • $250 book scholarships • Funding from Wal-Mart Foundation and various SDSU alumni

15. Veterans Center Goals • Veteran Living Community in Residence Halls • Including apartment-style housing • Veteran Needs Survey • Veteran Student Reception • Deferred Intent to Enroll Fee

16. SDSU Veterans Web site www.sdsu.edu/veterans

17. Student Veteran Organization • Founded November 2006 with a group of 5 student veterans • Inaugural Event held March 2007 with 70+ attendees • CDVA Secretary Tom Johnson and Congressman Bob Filner were in attendance 1st anniversary dinner

18. SVO Benefits • Creates a network of students and successful alumni to provide both professional and personal development

19. SVO Benefits • Provides a fellowship of persons with similar experiences

20. SVO Benefits • Members can meet, share information, plan activities, and foster the camaraderie they were accustomed to while in the service

21. SVO Highlights • Celebrated second anniversary in December • Fund raising golf tournament on April 3rd • Homecoming community service project with Naval Medical Center San Diego

22. SVO Web site www.svosdsu.org

23. Student Veterans of America • Founded in January 2008 • Modeled after SDSU Student Veteran Organization • Instrumental in gathering support of 21st Century G.I. Bill by mobilizing students to write to the U.S. Senate and Congress

24. SDSU War Memorial • Memories of fallen SDSU students are honored at an annual wreath-laying ceremony

25. SDSU Veterans in the News • Colleges Eagerly Welcome War Veterans MSNBC (August 27, 2007) • Back to School, Vets on Campus Fox News (April 8, 2008) • Ex-Marine Rebuilds Life After Brush with Death Los Angeles Times (November 2, 2008)

26. Student Resources Student Veterans of America www.studentveterans.org Troops to College Program www.troopstocollege.ca.gov CSU Veterans Initiative www.calstate.edu/veterans

27. Quote “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” - George Washington

28. Contacts SDSU Veterans Center Joan Putnam Veterans Coordinator Nathaniel Donnelly Assistant Veterans Coordinator (619) 594-5813 veterans@sdsu.edu SDSU Student Veteran Organization Peter Salas SVO President (619) 594-5813 president@svo.org