Student Veteran Office in the works

The Veteran Services Office (VSO) is currently in the planning process for a veteran’s lounge at the Deicke Center, for the military affiliated.  

“We started to have this conversation five years ago. The hope was to have a lounge like the commuter’s lounge, but for veterans, where they could congregate. A certain space where they can find their community,” said Jacob Hill, director of veteran services office, in a Zoom interview.

Hill acts as a liaison to veteran students. He works to facilitate programming and services and social events. The events that Hill helps organize are what helps determine the resources available to veteran students. 

Hill has mentioned that those working at Student Veterans of America (SVA) and the VSO have been working together to get the center made; however, their plans were slowed down. 

“What slowed down the work on it was that there wasn’t a space. But due to the endowment, it now looks like we’ll be able to move on with the space,” said Hill. “There might be an interim location for this year; where it will go in another building until the construction is finished.”

With the construction of the building, center directors will eventually be hired, too. From earlier proposals, Hill hopes that it will lead to the veterans’ lounge being a good opportunity to place their staff. 

Hill’s office, so far, has been used as a veteran’s support center. If veteran students have questions, or want to access his information kiosk outside his office, he says they are welcome to have them answered.