Establish a Permanent Space for Military Connected Students at UW Madison
Establish a Permanent Space for Military Connected Students at UW Madison
The Issue
As military members move from place to place, we rely on a built-in network and community to join. Unfortunately, while transitioning out of the military and into student life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I found myself in an unfamiliar environment. We had no dedicated spaces where I could connect with others in the same position. The challenges of being a non-traditional student are amplified for us, as student veterans, due to our unique experiences and perspectives. Only through extraordinary effort could I find other veterans within our community and begin to feel comfortable on campus.
The need for such a space is not unique to my experience. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, around 1 million military-connected students are enrolled in colleges across America (NCSL). Additionally, the UW’s research through Ross Benbow has proven that having a network for support is the #1 indicator of student veteran success, and a purpose-built facility is the top means to achieve that network for the community. Student veterans often face unique challenges related to transitioning from military service into academia. A dedicated space on campus would provide an invaluable resource for these individuals - offering them a place to connect with others who understand their experiences and challenges.
We believe that by establishing this purpose-built space, UW-Madison can demonstrate its commitment to supporting its ~2,000 military-connected students and ensuring their academic and social success. We ask that you join us in urging UW-Madison administrators to create this much-needed permanent space on campus for our community – one where we can feel genuinely at home and know we belong.
Please sign this petition if you support creating a permanent space on the UW-Madison campus at Camp Randall Veterans Memorial Park specifically designed for military-connected students and to support the wider Wisconsin Veteran Community.
Proposal flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bRyURbAJOZdwq7etBR1NmfFB8qYlEO8ZzaRjtBPAwys/edit?usp=sharing
736
The Issue
As military members move from place to place, we rely on a built-in network and community to join. Unfortunately, while transitioning out of the military and into student life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I found myself in an unfamiliar environment. We had no dedicated spaces where I could connect with others in the same position. The challenges of being a non-traditional student are amplified for us, as student veterans, due to our unique experiences and perspectives. Only through extraordinary effort could I find other veterans within our community and begin to feel comfortable on campus.
The need for such a space is not unique to my experience. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, around 1 million military-connected students are enrolled in colleges across America (NCSL). Additionally, the UW’s research through Ross Benbow has proven that having a network for support is the #1 indicator of student veteran success, and a purpose-built facility is the top means to achieve that network for the community. Student veterans often face unique challenges related to transitioning from military service into academia. A dedicated space on campus would provide an invaluable resource for these individuals - offering them a place to connect with others who understand their experiences and challenges.
We believe that by establishing this purpose-built space, UW-Madison can demonstrate its commitment to supporting its ~2,000 military-connected students and ensuring their academic and social success. We ask that you join us in urging UW-Madison administrators to create this much-needed permanent space on campus for our community – one where we can feel genuinely at home and know we belong.
Please sign this petition if you support creating a permanent space on the UW-Madison campus at Camp Randall Veterans Memorial Park specifically designed for military-connected students and to support the wider Wisconsin Veteran Community.
Proposal flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bRyURbAJOZdwq7etBR1NmfFB8qYlEO8ZzaRjtBPAwys/edit?usp=sharing
736
Supporter Voices
Petition created on March 7, 2024