WHEREAS, Student veterans face significant challenges when transitioning from military to academic life and many have undergone life-changing experiences that continue to impact them long after their service [3];
WHEREAS, Fellow students may struggle to relate to veterans due to a lack of knowledge regarding their common experiences and many veterans are still coping with the aftermath of trauma, undergoing treatment, or finding ways to manage their transition;
WHEREAS, Many student veterans struggle to find a sense of community due to the stigma surrounding veterans or limited awareness of available opportunities on and off campus and several veteran-status students have reported to this caucus that they received little to no guidance or assistance regarding campus resources; additionally, some have stated that they did not receive information about the benefits they are entitled to as veterans [1]; and
WHEREAS, Many opportunities and benefits for veterans, veteran advocates, and non-veteran students go unnoticed simply because individuals are unaware of where to begin and insufficient staffing at Veteran Service Centers across California Community Colleges has contributed to inefficiencies in disseminating crucial information for student veterans’ academic success [5]; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges establish a mandatory presentation or educational training led by veterans or veteran support staff, incorporating information to dispel misconceptions about veterans while also educating students and faculty about available benefits;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage that any mandatory presentation or educational training led by veterans or veteran support staff help veterans integrate into their college communities by providing information about student government involvement, volunteer opportunities, work-study programs, and GI Bill benefits;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges assist in developing materials for distribution across campuses, such as a universal presentation that schools can tailor to their specific needs or an informational pamphlet detailing essential resources.
Citations:
[1] California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), https://www.calvet.ca.gov
[2] California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA), https://www.californiaveterans.org
[3] VA.gov, https://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/docs/em_challengesreadjust.asp
[4] San Diego Veterans Coalition (SDVC), https://www.sdvetscoalition.org
[5] Palomar College Veterans Resource Center, Miramar College VRC, San Diego Mesa College Veteran Program