Syncing with the Rhythm of Campus
Syncing with the Rhythm of Campus
Transcript
Colleges and universities offer many opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom, including academic talks, performances, student clubs and extracurricular activities, scholastic and recreational athletics, and more. Making sure that student veterans have full access to these opportunities will help to enhance their sense of belonging at the institution and help provide them with a fuller college experience.
There are a number of barriers to student veteran participation in the full range of college life. Many of these are similar to the barriers faced by other non-traditional students. Student veterans are more likely for example, to live off campus or be employed in an off campus job. They may have a family that requires their time and attention, including child care responsibilities. Student veterans may also feel as though they have little in common with their classmates.
Addressing these barriers starts with consistent, positive communication to student veterans that they belong, and that they are both welcome and encouraged to take advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom. Including such messaging as part of new student orientation can help ensure that all student veterans receive it.
Key campus administrators including the School Certifying Official, Student Veteran Advisors, Directors of veterans centers, or other personnel whose portfolio includes student Veterans Services, can take the lead on and help coordinate such communication.
Student veterans in leadership roles and student government or other student organizations can help encourage veterans to see themselves as an integral part of campus life and to participate in student activities. Another approach to reducing the barriers to participation in campus life is to create and emphasize opportunities that particularly appeal to student veterans.
A student club, especially for student veterans, such as an SVA chapter can be a great way to get veterans more involved, while also creating community for them. Lectures that are given by veterans or that deal with subjects that are particularly relevant to veterans is another example, and such lectures should be advertised in a way that reaches student veterans.
Athletics whether scholastic or recreational, is another area that appeals to many student veterans who see such activities as a natural continuation of the physical training associated with military service.
There are a number of barriers to student veteran participation in the full range of college life. Many of these are similar to the barriers faced by other non-traditional students. Student veterans are more likely for example, to live off campus or be employed in an off campus job. They may have a family that requires their time and attention, including child care responsibilities. Student veterans may also feel as though they have little in common with their classmates.
Addressing these barriers starts with consistent, positive communication to student veterans that they belong, and that they are both welcome and encouraged to take advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom. Including such messaging as part of new student orientation can help ensure that all student veterans receive it.
Key campus administrators including the School Certifying Official, Student Veteran Advisors, Directors of veterans centers, or other personnel whose portfolio includes student Veterans Services, can take the lead on and help coordinate such communication.
Student veterans in leadership roles and student government or other student organizations can help encourage veterans to see themselves as an integral part of campus life and to participate in student activities. Another approach to reducing the barriers to participation in campus life is to create and emphasize opportunities that particularly appeal to student veterans.
A student club, especially for student veterans, such as an SVA chapter can be a great way to get veterans more involved, while also creating community for them. Lectures that are given by veterans or that deal with subjects that are particularly relevant to veterans is another example, and such lectures should be advertised in a way that reaches student veterans.
Athletics whether scholastic or recreational, is another area that appeals to many student veterans who see such activities as a natural continuation of the physical training associated with military service.