Military Veterans Association Formed
On the afternoon of Thursday, September 3, 19 student-veterans and 3 members of the UA Veterans Steering Committee met in the Adult Focus Group Study Lounge to begin the process of forming a new student organization at the University of Akron. This organization’s aims are to serve as the voice of student-veterans on UA’s campus and to provide a social and support network of individuals with similar backgrounds and experiences.
Janet Corey, the UA Veterans’ Services Coordinator in the Adult Focus Office, is the campus advisor for the Military Veterans Association (MVA), the name members chose for this new organization. Ms. Corey, an AmeriCorps*VISTA worker, retired from the US Naval Reserve as a Commander and is a Blue Star Mother of an active duty enlisted sailor. In order to help establish the new student-veteran organization, Corey researched student veteran organizations on other campuses across the country and met with Peter Aubry, the Student Organization Development Coordinator in the Office of Student Life.
Besides having three meetings for the purposes of discussing membership eligibility and organization goals, the MVA held a Family Game Night for members and family members in the Student Union Game Room on Friday, September 18, courtesy of the Department of Student Life. Members also enjoyed food and fun at the Kick Off for Veterans Tailgate prior to the Homecoming game on October 10, sponsored by the College of Nursing, the School of Law, ROTC and Adult Focus.
Upcoming events for the Military Veterans Association are:
- Grand Opening of the Student-Veterans R & R Lounge, Monday, November 2
- Veterans Day Brunch and Remembrance Ceremony, Wednesday, November 11
- Holiday Party for veterans and their family members, early December
- Family Pool Party, date to be determined
Currently, Ms. Corey communicates with undergraduate students and some graduate and law students about the Military Veterans Association by means of emails to a listserv. However, a SharePoint site, which is a website with interactive links for documents, calendars, announcements, and discussion groups, has been created for the MVA and will be fully operational within a few days. The site will enable MVA members to get information about items of interest to veterans quickly and to discuss topics of interest interactively with their fellow veterans.
In order to complete the process for recognition as a student organization at the University of Akron, the MVA must elect a president and adopt a constitution. The organization is currently conducting elections for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer and a small group is drafting its constitution for approval by the members. Ms. Corey’s aim is for recognition by UA before the spring 2010 semester begins.
Any questions about the UA Military Veterans Association may be directed to Janet Corey by phone at 330-972-2754, in person at UA Adult Focus, Schrank Hall North 260, or by email to jc104@uakron.edu.