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The University of Oklahoma
 Student Veterans Association

 

Introduction:  The OU Student Veterans Association (SVA) was activated on the Norman campus after the drawdown of Iraq in 2011 and many veterans started coming back to obtain an education. The SVA has a commitment to provide outstanding service for our veterans and military members who served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces.

 

OUr Mission:  To build and maintain a community of The University of Oklahoma students, staff, faculty, and alumni, who have served in the US military, that supports a seamless transition from military life to college life and provide support for continued growth in mind, body, and spirit, carrying the pride and confidence established in the military into the college experience as well as future careers for veteran alumni.

 

Project: Veteran Resource Center

 

Purpose: GOALS

 

GOAL 1: Maintain a diverse membership group.

· Objective 1: Triple social media engagement (Likes/Followers) by Spring ’16 semester.

  • Strategy 1: Increase Facebook “Likes” to 1,000.

  • Strategy 2: Increase Twitter followers to 1,000.

· Objective 2: Host Veterans Week on campus to engage families

  • Strategy 1: Coordinate with other campus veteran student organizations to organize events and promote veteran issues.

  • Strategy 2: Market veterans’ resource fair, exercise sessions, and barbeque.

· Objective 3: Add 15 new members with families

  • Strategy 1: Host outdoor movie night on campus. Coordinate with campus facilities for projector, screen, and other necessities.

  • Strategy 2: Host a pumpkin patch event for families. Discuss discount opportunities with major pumpkin patches in the area. Focus marketing on social media and email, as many students with families are online students.

· Objective 4: Add 20 new members with or without families

  • Strategy 1: Host an OU Football opening day bash (targeting younger students). Market via social media, print ads & Student Life.

  • Strategy 2: Host a bowling event at a local alley. Discuss discount opportunities and logistics with management.

GOAL 2: Add revenue streams.

· Objective 1: Raise $10,000 for Boots to Suits & Veteran Student Services

  • Strategy 1: Meet with 20 identified business leaders for donations

· Objective 2: Weekly revenue through 50/50 raffles.

  • Strategy 1: Engage VFW Post commander to discuss potential flagship partnership.

  • Strategy 2: Test raffle for one month to gauge interest and involvement.

 

PROGRAMS & Results

 

Military Transfer Credit Package - We plan to work with local gov’t and veteran groups to implement our transfer credit package on a statewide level.

  • Collaborate with Student Government, Faculty, OU leadership & VSS

  • Includes core & elective credits, & credit waivers

  • Humanities [3] & Behavioral Sciences [3]

  • Electives [6-12] (based on rank or time in service)

  • Waiver of International Perspective requirement (if deployed > 6 months)

  • Waiver of Language Credit (if attended Defense Language Institute Training)

  • Waiver of Experiential Learning requirement (for business students)

 

Priority Registration (beginning Summer/Fall 2016 semester)

· Collaborate with various OU school Deans and university leadership

· Student veterans gain first opportunity to register

The OU Veteran Student Center

· Collaborate with Student Gov’t, Student Affairs & VSS

· 3,000 square feet with computer lab, lounge, kitchen, conference room, administrative offices, & quiet study area

· On-site services: VA Certifying Official & Disability rep, full-time counselor, full-time new student

mentors, and work study positions.

Boots to Suits

· Collaborate with OU leadership, Norman/OKC Chamber, OU Alumni Foundation, VSS & Brooks Brothers

· 6 meetings between student vet & mentor in the student’s field of study.

 Opportunities include: internships, career & networking events, mock interviews, profession development, & seminars

· Sectors: business, government, medical, engineering, media, IT, law enforcement

· Free tailored suit from Brooks Brothers for student veteran upon program completion.

 

Emergency Loan Program

· Collaborate w/university administration & Veteran organizations

· $1500 interest-free loans to student veterans in need of financial support due to issues with GI Bill benefits.

 

Rationale/Need:  Helping achieve the impact we are trying to create for veterans adjusting to college life after serving in the military. Student Veterans have encountered so much in the military that they have a bond with those that have served. The average person has no idea what that Student Veteran has been through and there is no connection to them.

 

Benefits:  Help Student Veterans connect in their new environment. This environment can promote academic and personal success, with the ultimate goals of graduation and future employment.

 

www.SVAOklahoma.org                                                                                   

 

 

 

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