Twenty-two thousand.That’s the number of pushups California University of Pennsylvania students did over the last approximately four weeks to raise awareness about the rising tide of military suicides. They gathered every day at 11:22 a.m. on the campus Quad to complete the exercise, regardless of the weather.
Every fall, the campus is adorned with banners recognizing military members and veterans for their service. The Veterans Banner Project invites community members to purchase banners in honor of family, colleagues and friends. A map of the banner locations is available online, and the public may tour the campus daily from dawn to dusk to view the display.
These are just two examples of how the university honors those who serve the nation in all branches of the armed forces. But its commitment goes much deeper than that, as does that of the other 13 universities that comprise Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Virtually all of the campuses provide a variety of services to military members, veterans and their families. Many have dedicated student veterans’ centers that serve as “one-stop shops” for those making the transition from military to college life.
Eleven State System universities this year were named “Military Friendly Schools” by Victory Media, a designation awarded annually to only the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country in recognition of their efforts to ensure the academic success of military service members, veterans and spouses. Several of the universities have qualified for this select honor roll for multiple years in a row.
Five State System universities participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which allows U.S. colleges to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to provide special tuition assistance to military veterans.
All 14 universities provide military veterans with preference in course scheduling, in accordance with recently passed legislation. The universities also are working to meet the July 1 date for offering in-state tuition rates to qualified veterans and their dependents regardless of state residency status under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.
For example, Kutztown University’s Veterans Services Center serves as a single point-of-contact, providing a place where students can study, relax, have access to computers and printers, meet other veterans and members of the Military Club and receive assistance with their GI Bill and other benefits. Specifically, it offers individual guidance and assistance regarding educational benefits as well as counseling, support and disability services that provide support to students experiencing adjustment challenges and military-related trauma such as PTSD, TBI, and MST.
“Veterans are a diverse student body in themselves,” said Tania Brown Berringer, KU’s coordinator of veterans’ and transfer services. “No one veteran is the same. Our center recognizes that the needs of this student population are unique. It’s our job to create a campus environment that is supportive of them and their needs and recognize their contribution to society.”
Speaking about the center, student Andrew Hill said, “Through the center, I receive guidance on education benefits that are available for soldiers through the Veterans Affairs (VA), National Guard, the federal government and the GI Bill. They help me navigate through the bureaucratic red tape, because it’s difficult to do on your own. The center is also a great place to get work done without the distraction of other students. Everyone’s really friendly and always looking to help anyone who walks through the door.”
“Green Zone” training is offered to faculty, staff and interested students throughout the institution to become knowledgeable about issues faced by military-affiliated students and the resources available to assist them. Participants who complete the Green Zone training agree to become battle buddies (partners) to military-affiliated students, helping them to achieve their goal of academic success.
West Chester University serves as the North Atlantic Region office of Troops to Teachers, a federally funded Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel transition into careers as K-12 public or charter school teachers. The program provides personalized counseling and referral assistance to all military members, past or present. Troops to Teachers registration is open to all veterans who have served honorably regardless of time in service who have an interest in teaching in qualified schools.
WCU also provides a variety of services through its Veterans Center and the Student Veterans Group, which serves as an open forum for student veterans to come together and discuss issues related to being a veteran, a student and everything that goes in between.
Military Friendly Schools (as designated by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine): Bloomsburg, California, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Millersville, Slippery Rock and West Chester Yellow Ribbon Schools (Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs): East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Mansfield and West Chester
