Military on CampusDeveloping a Culture of

Appreciation and Support

Joan Putnam, Veterans Coordinator

Nathaniel Donnelly, Assistant Veterans Coordinator

San Diego State University

Military in San Diego

• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

• Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

• Marine Corps Recruit Depot

• Naval Air Station North Island

• Naval Amphibious Base Coronado

• Naval Medical Center San Diego

• Naval Station San Diego

• Naval Submarine Base Point Loma

Economic Impact

• The military contributes more than $13 billion annually The military contributes more than $13 billion annually to the regional economyto the regional economy

• More than 260,000 veterans reside in the county More than 260,000 veterans reside in the county

• Approximately 27,400 active duty military will be Approximately 27,400 active duty military will be mustered out in California this year; approximately mustered out in California this year; approximately 283,000 nationwide283,000 nationwide

• The military contributes more than $13 billion annually The military contributes more than $13 billion annually to the regional economyto the regional economy

• More than 260,000 veterans reside in the county More than 260,000 veterans reside in the county

• Approximately 27,400 active duty military will be Approximately 27,400 active duty military will be mustered out in California this year; approximately mustered out in California this year; approximately 283,000 nationwide283,000 nationwide

San Diego State University

• 35,800 enrolled students

• More than 62,000 applications for 7,600 undergraduate spaces for fall 2008– Ranked second in the nation for number of

applications

Military at San Diego State

• 839 veterans

• 134 active duty military personnel

• 146 dependents of veterans receiving benefits

Military Students

• Bring real diversity to the campus

– Have seen the world– Do not always think alike– Challenge and contribute to the intellectual

vitality of the campus

• Are more mature and focused

• Have strong leadership skills

• Will become leaders and persons of influence in society

• Are responsible citizens

• Know how to manage their time

• Many are the first in their family to go to college

Military Students

Academic Success

• Low dropout rate for first-time freshmen veterans – 7.5 points less than that of overall student body

• High cumulative GPA for first-time freshmen veterans – .21 points higher than that of overall student body

Academic Programs

• Five most popular majors:

– Business Administration– Criminal Justice– Electrical Engineering– Physical Education/Kinesiology– Psychology

• International Studies and Conflict Resolution

• Public Affairs Officers Program

• Language programs in Arabic, Persian, Russian, and Chinese

Special Programs

• Beginning in March 2009: Professional Science master’s and graduate level certificate programs – Joint effort between SDSU, CSU San Marcos and

Military Education Services Officers from Southern California

• Special Admission Program for Active Duty and Veterans

Troops to College Working Group

• Division of Undergraduate Studies

• Enrollment Services

• Financial Aid and Scholarships

• Student Disability Services

• Student Veteran Organization

• Veterans Center

• Alumni Association

• Associated Students

• Cashiers Office

• College of Extended Studies

• Counseling and Psychological Services

• Department of Military Science

Reserve Officer Training Corps

• Air Force ROTC– 115 cadets– Program for Army, Reserve and National Guard

• Army ROTC– 1,145 cadets from eight local schools, mostly

from SDSU

• Naval ROTC – 100 students – Includes 60 active duty and 40 Midshipmen

SDSU Veterans Center

• Opened July 2008

Veterans Center Highlights

• One-unit transition course taught in fall 2008

• Discount to attend New Student Orientation

• Priority registration – SB 272

• $1,000 academic scholarships

• $250 book scholarships

• Funding from Wal-Mart Foundation and various SDSU alumni

Veterans Center Goals

• Veteran Living Community in Residence Halls– Including apartment-style housing

• Veteran Needs Survey

• Veteran Student Reception

• Deferred Intent to Enroll Fee

SDSU Veterans Web site

www.sdsu.edu/veterans

Student Veteran Organization

• Founded November 2006 with a group of 5 student veterans

• Inaugural Event held March 2007 with 70+ attendees

• CDVA Secretary Tom Johnson and Congressman Bob Filner were in attendance 1st anniversary dinner

SVO Benefits

• Creates a network of students and successful alumni to provide both professional and personal development

SVO Benefits

• Provides a fellowship of persons with similar experiences

SVO Benefits

• Members can meet, share information, plan activities, and foster the camaraderie they were accustomed to while in the service

• Celebrated second anniversary in December

• Fund raising golf tournament on April 3rd

• Homecoming community service project with Naval Medical Center San Diego

SVO Highlights

www.svosdsu.org

SVO Web site

• Founded in January 2008

• Modeled after SDSU Student Veteran Organization

• Instrumental in gathering support of 21st Century G.I. Bill by mobilizing students to write to the U.S. Senate and Congress

Student Veterans of America

SDSU War Memorial

• Memories of fallen SDSU students are honored at an annual wreath-laying ceremony

• Colleges Eagerly Welcome War Veterans MSNBC (August 27, 2007)

• Back to School, Vets on Campus Fox News (April 8, 2008)

• Ex-Marine Rebuilds Life After Brush with Death Los Angeles Times (November 2, 2008)

SDSU Veterans in the News

Student Resources

Student Veterans of America

www.studentveterans.org

Troops to College Program

www.troopstocollege.ca.gov

CSU Veterans Initiative

www.calstate.edu/veterans

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

- George Washington

Quote

SDSU Veterans Center

Joan PutnamVeterans Coordinator

Nathaniel DonnellyAssistant Veterans Coordinator

(619) 594-5813

veterans@sdsu.edu

SDSU Student Veteran Organization

Peter SalasSVO President

(619) 594-5813

president@svo.org

Contacts