Steven Lipnicki – Assistant Dean of Students John Koch – Graduate Assistant, Veterans Network  Objective:  To familiarize you with what is available at GVSU to assist student veterans and faculty  Background  Student Veteran experiences  Resources for Students and Faculty

FALL 2010 ENROLLMENT  434 student veterans/reservists/family  +188 or 76% from Fall 2009 (246)  200+ using new GI Bill benefits  50 dependents/survivors  Predictability of continued growth is uncertain…

 Transitioning from Soldier to Student or Combatant to Civilian can be difficult  Coping  post-traumatic stress  Physical disabilities  Financial challenges  Relationship and family challenges  Substance issues  Discrimination

“A normal reaction to an abnormal event.”  Repeated thoughts and images of the traumatic event  Unwanted memories, nightmares, and/or flashbacks  Increased arousal (e.g., difficulty sleeping and concentrating, jumpiness, irritability).  Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, and situations related to the traumatic event  Spectrum of symptoms – not like polio or pregnancy. (May exist even if the person is not diagnosable)

 Feeling alone on campus  Feeling overwhelmed by new freedom of life  Economic struggles  Re-connecting with friends and family  Adjusting to academic rigor  Lack of transfer credit  Disclosure dilemma – mental health, relationships, etc.

 Very mature for their age  Very experienced - especially with basic necessities of life – embodiment of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs  Global perspective – especially those who have been overseas  Heightened sense of awareness  Goal driven – sometimes to a fault (forest for the trees)

 Encourage veteran students to contact you if they encounter circumstances that may impact their performance in your course.  Accommodate special needs expressed by veteran students  Seating preferences  Initial hesitation to actively participate in discussion  Absences related to VA appointments or reserve-duty commitments  Take the time to explain course, assignment, and university policies to veteran students as they may be used to following orders without question.  Learn about combat-related disabilities, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Excerpted from NIU Spectrum; Spring

 Expect the same classroom responsibilities and performance  Provide opportunities for veteran students to work with civilian students on team projects  As with all students, know how to teach veteran students who have different experiences, learning preferences and capabilities.  Avoid expressing personal sentiments related to war or military personnel that could alienate or embarrass student veterans.  All veterans deserve recognition and appreciation for their service regardless of our personal opinions.  Involve veteran students, at their own comfort level, in coursework related discussions where they can share their service experiences and enrich the learning experience of all students. Excerpted from NIU Spectrum; Spring

HOW WELL IS GVSU SERVING VETERANS…  Veterans Network:  University and community resources  Peer Support: Student Veterans Organization  Communication: Social media- Facebook group  Mapworks  Veterans Resource Fair (February 23, 2011)  Community Collaborations  Training opportunities  Finding opportunities for recognition & thanks

 Records Office – Handles all GI Bill certification  Student Accounts – Handles Vocational Rehab Students Cheryl Lillibridge –  Counseling Center / Alcohol Substance Abuse – Barb Palombi –  Disability Support Services – Kathleen Vanderveen  Womens Center / Family Support – Ashley Nickels  Veterans Network – General concerns or questions

 Guidance  Veterans need to be encouraged to meet w/faculty and make them (faculty) aware of their (veterans) situation  Meetings should be in faculty member’s office

16  Each of us is an individual. I may have seen heavy combat or sat in an office.  DO NOT assume that you know my politics or beliefs.  There are many reasons that people are in the military and most are not political.  You do what you are told regardless of political affiliation.  DO NOT be afraid of my identity as a vet. Getting to know me and being able to identify issues in the early stages will not only help but may make me feel wanted and welcome.

QUESTIONS