On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, on the eleventh year of the new millennium, veterans at the University of Idaho and across America will gather in spirit to honor those who have served in the U.S. military.
Although only one day a year is taken to recognize U.S. veterans, veterans at UI have resources at their fingertips year round.
The UI Veteran’s Resource Center officially opened its new offices in the Idaho Commons room 305 in September, a space Dan Button, veterans adviser, said is a great central location for them.
“This way we’re also close to the offices for the Writing Center and Disability Support services, so we can help our veterans utilize those resources,” Button said.
Sgt. Beau Tanner, president of Veterans at the University of Idaho, said the Veteran’s Resource Center is there to advocate for veterans and provide them with support, resources and advising. However, the most important aspect of the center, Tanner said, is the social community.
“Veterans are most likely to share thoughts and concerns with other veterans, and more likely to talk to other veterans for help, because they’ve had similar experiences,” Button said. “This way they have a dedicated place on campus where they can come together.”
Tanner said UI tracks a lot of demographics on campus, but not veterans.
“We don’t know all the veterans here, but we know they’re in every college on campus, from students up to the president’s office,” he said.
Another main goal of the center is to help veterans transition from a military to civilian lifestyle.
“Combat is infinitely less stressful than college,” Tanner said. “Nothing prepares you for college. A lot of veterans find themselves on their own at college, in a relatively structure less lifestyle compared to the military.”
Button, who is also the non-traditional student services coordinator, said most college veterans are back at school for the first time in at least four years. In the case of multiple tours, some are even in their 30s.
“It’s a culture shock, an age shock,” Tanner said. “It’s a whole new way of addressing people, the way people conduct themselves, the subject matter people talk about.”
Lance Cpl. Philomena Sulzen said having people at the center she can relate to is one of the reasons she came to UI.
“At the end of the day my civilian friends can only understand a part of that. It’s nice to have someone who thoroughly understands you — it makes the transition a lot easier,” Sulzen said.
Button, Tanner and Sulzen all said the community on campus is one of the most welcoming and supportive to veterans that they’ve seen.
Tanner attended a national conference in June and talked with other student veterans groups about their campuses, and said he was amazed at how many had negative experiences and trouble finding support.
“This university has gone above and beyond to be helpful and responsive to the needs of veterans,” Tanner said. “We’re so grateful for that.”
During his 15 months as veterans adviser, Button said he’s had a nominal amount of complaints from UI veterans.
“Veterans are uniformly humble about their service and grateful to be home safe and here under the GI Bill,” Button said. “This community is really looking out for them.”