Talking Stick - November/December 2008 - (Page 21)

best support is peer support.” Organization representatives could be invited to offer feedback on relevant housing processes, helping to create a more complete and inclusive set of procedures. • Ask questions and make referrals to campus and community partners. Remember, the housing contract is just one part of the withdrawal and re-entry process. Lorene Cox, veterans benefits and programs coordinator at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans at Mississippi State University, recognizes the importance of several other components of the process, such as academic credit and financial aid. Seeing the big picture – the entirety of the process – will more easily allow housing professionals to provide the kind of integrated support that is needed. They can help veterans understand what the next step in the process is by asking them what offices they have already visited and where they plan to go after leaving the housing office. • Make the process simple and expedient. As Rampey says, “Make the process as painless as possible.” Be ready to work with each student veteran’s unique set of circumstances. Realize that these students can be deployed multiple times. Be sensitive to their orders and be flexible with them regarding move-in and move-out and the refund of housing fees. Try not to let rigid policy get in the way of the right decision. Residence halls offer an ideal environment for supporting students. Learning communities could also be created to provide a positive environment for this veteran support, according to DiRamio, who suggests that student affairs administrators and academic affairs work together to create these communities. Housing professionals are already committed to providing services and programs that enrich the college or university experience and promote the academic success of all students; ensuring the enrichment and success of student veterans in particular is simply an extension of this commitment. Some institutions may be making plans for a veterans community a priority, but even if they are not, DiRamio comments, “the installation of a bona fide veterans coordinator interested in serving the whole student” should be. ts Wade Livingston is the associate director of the office of community and ethical standards at Clemson University in South Carolina. http://www.nssinc.com http://www.nssinc.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2008

Talking Stick - November/December 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places The Evolving Role of the Resident Advisor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - November/December 2008

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