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University of Louisville 'makes the grade' assisting and supporting veterans

By Paige Quiggins - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The University of Louisville has made the grade when it comes to accommodating student veterans. G.I. Jobs magazine and online publication designated U of L as being military friendly for 2010 and 2011. The Office of Military and Veteran Student Services provides assistance and support to incoming and current students.

"Generally it's that one-on-one contact we have with our peed advisors who are also veterans that assist with our incoming freshman students," said Terri Carr, Program Coordinator Senior. Carr is the head of the office, located in the basement of the Houchens building on the Belknap campus.

"The buzz phrase in the higher education community is a one-stop shop," said Joseph Dablow from the Office of Enrollment Management for Undergraduate Affairs.

"Our office may not be the solution, but generally speaking for most problems that we encounter we can direct folks and serve as a liaison to a resolution."

Dablow, who is also a veteran himself, says that G.I. Jobs set about a pool of information which details specifics for what sorts of unique needs student veterans have, in conjunction with the new G.I. bill. The publication then put together a survey that analyzes transferability, what classes to get in, how easy it is to get enrolled and started, along with other classifications for the designation.

Former Air Force Sergeant Andrea Hoell said she has taken advantages of services such as the University Veterans Organization as both an undergrad and graduate student.

"We brainstorm various things that we could do as a group," said the graduate student. "Coming up with a variety of different ideas to create the more cohesive military and veteran community."

The Army National Guard veteran says that the group she is part of plans activities like hiking to promote camaraderie. Hoell is one of four a peer advisors in the on-campus site to help her fellow armed forces members with any kind of necessities they may have.

Corporal Chris Mueller agreed that the office's services made the transition easier from the Marine Corps to college. After being deployed to over a half-dozen locations during his time as a radio operator, the extra help given to him was beneficial. Mueller said the administration recognizes the importance of socialization between student military and veterans.

"They see that we need that companionship, you know, just to succeed," said Mueller. According to him, it was easy to meet military peers he can immediately share a common bond with those individuals, which makes it easy for new friendships to begin.

Hoell also say being a member of the armed forces has also shaped her college experience.

"As a military student, I believe I am a lot more disciplined," said Hoell.

"I've run the gamete and I've worked from the bottom up to supervisory positions."

Mueller says that the military helped him mature and taught certain tactics which are useful in everyday life, and especially preparing for college. He also says it is fairly common for military students to have a slightly different outlook on life and their studies.

"Just out of high school, you didn't really get that break to realize what education does for you," said Mueller.

Belknap and Shelby campus enrolled over 20,000 students in the fall semester, over 800 of which are veterans, not including Reserves Officers Training Corps, ROTC members.

An individual's person's first recognized date of military service is their commissioning date after they have finished the ROTC program. Dablow says there are some exceptions to that rule, such as the Army's Green to Gold program, which helps discharged active duty members who enlist in the Army Reserves as part of the collegiate ROTC division.

According to Dablow and Carr, the title "military friendly"is reserved for around 15 percent of institutions of higher education. Though other Commonwealth institutions received the designation as well, U of L is one of the largest in the state to receive the honor.

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