A Veterans Day Salute

By Mike Porter

Transitioning into civilian life after military service can be stressful for any returning veteran. The process is especially challenging for new and returning student veterans, who leave behind the structured life of the military for the personal freedom of an academic setting.    

On Veterans Day, VCU and the VCU Student Veterans Association launched a new program to make the transition smoother. The University Support Services for Returning and Active Military Students (USS-RAMS) and its Green Zone program will help student veterans find people trained to link them to resources and support. 

The program was announced during a patriotic ceremony and luncheon for university student veterans at the University Student Commons.

“For our student veterans, transitioning into student life is often difficult, particularly for those who have recently returned home from active duty and are still transitioning to civilian life overall,” said Beverly J. Warren, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This program will help student veterans make a smooth transition to VCU.”

The Green Zone program identifies faculty and staff volunteers throughout the university who have received special training and are knowledgeable about issues facing student veterans and the resources available to help them. 

After their Green Zone training, faculty and staff volunteers will display a special Green Zone sticker outside of their office spaces to let others know they are available to provide information and support to student veterans. Volunteers who are veterans themselves will receive an enhanced sticker that also reads "I am a veteran."

Anyone interested in becoming a Green Zone volunteer should contact veterans@vcu.edu and register for one of the two trainings already scheduled:  Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., and Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Both training sessions will be held in Harris Hall. Additional training sessions will be scheduled.

The Green Zone is funded by The Aurora Foundation and Region IV, Virginia Wounded Warrior Program.

The Provost’s Office has also named Martha Lou Green, Ed.D., as special assistant to the provost for student veteran support. Green will coordinate USS-RAMS initiatives. 

“This program will indicate to our student veterans and to prospective students that VCU is indeed a military student supportive environment,” Green said. “We recognize, honor, respect and appreciate their sacrifices and also their life experiences as they broaden the diversity of our staff, faculty and student body.”