Student veterans have more than books on their minds, and UH has found ways to not only acknowledge those needs, but to do something about them.
"I am a student veteran myself and realize that transitioning back to civilian life and attending a university can be, at the least, a difficult process," said Chris Webb, president of the Veterans Collegiate Society and Opinion editor for The Daily Cougar.
The Veterans’ Service Office offers a computer lab and study room for student veterans. They help them navigate the bureaucracy of the Veterans Affairs, and also provide conduit to help students reach other services provided by the VA, the state and non-profit organizations.
Psychology junior Jerry Williams said after four years of active duty in the Air Force he’s learned to take everything in stride. The only problem he has encountered was the lifestyle change.
Williams said it was hard getting acclimated to civilian life and searching for a job. However, he has learned to convert his military experience into civilian job skills.
"It’s just about adjusting. We took classes during Air Force training, but it was normally online in a smaller class environment than UH," said Erik Perez, a sociology junior who serves in the Air National Guard.
While many students are sorting out what classes they should take and what teachers they should avoid, some student veterans sit in the wings and question their possible fate for the following months.
"They’re recalled (during the school year) once in a while. More so now than any other time," Veterans’ Services Office Program Director Allen Grundy said.
Perez said it isn’t likely that he’d be called to duty, but if there was ever an emergency they could still call him.
When recalls occur, tuition refunds and registration become a question Grundy said, who said they are working on a waiver that can now be obtained.
"It may not be as effective as it should be, but that’s what I’m looking into now to find out things that hinder vets. There’s a lot of testing, so what happens if a vet can’t take the test? There has to be some special conditions for them," Grundy said. "There are not too many exceptions. There should be, but not yet."
In addition to academic issues, Webb said student veterans also face psychological struggles adding that many students are unaware of services offered to veterans at UH.
Williams said some students come back with psychological issues, and said he was unaware of some services offered at UH other than the VSO.
"I’m retired military, and as I watch these students come in, I see that there are some issues, and I usually refer them to outside outreach or the Counseling and Psychological Services at UH, or if they have disabilities I make sure they register with the Center for Students with Disabilities. I try to work it out with them. They talk with me very candidly, and I try to resolve their problems because I’ve been through these things myself," Grundy said.
"In other situations some students have been unwilling to utilize the resources offered," Grundy said.
"No matter what I say, they’re reluctant to get any kind of assistance. But it’s important for our veterans, especially the military minded, to be deprogrammed. If you’re coming out of a war situation there are a lot of things on your mind. You need to adjust from war to a school setting," Grundy said.
Grundy said UH is putting its best foot forward to accommodate the veterans enrolled at the University.
"We should be prepared. Any university should be prepared to handle them. I’m looking at a three-week orientation next year, almost a retreat so we can get some intense psychological things worked out. I would not suggest that they stay out of school because outside is a lot more dangerous than another institution," Grundy said. "They’re very similar because they’re both self contained. The difference is in the military, everything is done by orders. Here you have to think on your own."
Webb agreed with Grundy about the importance of school guidance.
"The more of a support system available, the better it is for student veterans at UH and the University in general," Webb said.
Veterans’ Services Office is in Room 268 of the University Center. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/veterans/.
