Tim O'Brien
Members of N.C. State’s Student Veterans Association are considering opening a veteran’s center on campus if there’s funding and space available on campus.
Tina Nelson, the advisor for the association, said it’s the mission of the SVA to figure out how to make the college experience better for veterans and recommend changes to University administrators.
One of these changes would be a veterans center where veteran students could have their own place to study and connect with other student veterans, according to Nelson.
Though the project is in the beginning stages, the SVA group trying to approve the center will discuss possible locations at its meeting Friday.
If this project does move forward, the group will then look into the specifics of what exactly this veteran’s space will provide and how it will be funded, Nelson said.
As of September 2013, 595 N.C. State students are taking advantage of G.I. Bill benefits. Of these, 289 are military veterans while 306 are dependents or spouses. Of the veterans enrolled at N.C. State, 84 percent are male and 16 percent are female, according to the N.C. State Veterans’ Education Office site.
Nelson said the center would be an addition to already existing services, such as an optional training opportunity for faculty and staff titled, “Veteran Students in the Classroom.” Nelson leads the program in which she discusses what it’s like to be in the military and the specific problems and needs that veteran students may have.
“I go over things like if they have post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain damage and what that is going to look like,” Nelson said. “And what are the specific issues for our female veterans, what resources are available and what they can do differently to show support for these veterans and their families.”
Nelson said she has the most participants in this training opportunity near Veteran’s day in November, and about 80 to 100 faculty and staff members have completed it during the last four years.
Though this is a high number, Nelson said she hopes to one day target certain areas, such as the College of Engineering, to further inform faculty and staff members.
The health center on campus also offers veterans aid through the counseling center.
The SVA’s counselors are familiar and have experience helping veteran’s experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Nelson.
Nelson said the Student Veteran’s Association members meet at least once a month and hold several events throughout the year, including a potluck every semester during a reading day where veteran students are encouraged to come together, share food and bring their families.
The SVA is also responsible for arranging tailgates during football season and because of the SVA’s involvement, student veterans now participate in the unfolding of the American flag across the football field on Military Appreciation Day.
The SVA also held a 5k last November, called “Run, Walk, and Roll with Veterans,” in which part of the money raised was donated to Canine Angels, an organization that takes dogs that are going to be euthanized and trains them to be service dogs for disabled veterans. This year’s 5k will be held on Nov. 2, according to Nelson.
SVA members will be participating in this year’s Relay for Life event on campus Friday, by both walking for the event and selling barbecue sandwiches.