Overview:

Our Veteran Student Center at UVA has been encroached upon. Over the summer of 2023, our conference room inside the VSC was reallocated as a Dean's office without our permission or consult. Signing this petition demonstrates your support for us to reclaim our space.

Purpose: 

It is with a fervent sense of duty to the principles of justice and equity that we, the Student Veterans and Military Affiliated Students of the University of Virginia call to your attention a matter of grave concern. You are officially informed that a violation of space, loss of confidence, and the misappropriation of the Veteran Student Center occurred. The liberties that we previously enjoyed within the VSC is now at stake of losing its identity.

Background: 

2020 - UVA published a 10-year strategic plan to “recruit and support exceptionally talented, diverse, and service-oriented students who have the potential to live lives of purpose, impact, and service.”

Given the context of recent Affirmative Action rulings, it is more than ever an incentive for UVA to hone in on the veteran population. The socioeconomic, martial, and life diversity that student veterans bring to Grounds should be top of mind for the University.

2021 - Under the authority of President Jim Ryan, the Student Veterans and ROTC of UVA in collaboration with the Student Veterans of America at UVA, funded by the Jefferson Trust, were awarded a safe space to assemble in the pursuit of advancing the Veteran community and enriching the collegiate experience on Grounds with the center opening in Fall 2021. “It’s a place that I hope will help remind you that you belong here at UVA,” Ryan said.

The juxtaposition of the provision of space and recent occupation makes it difficult to advocate for a school that condones this type of behavior. The opening of the VSC was a step in the right direction to address the shortfalls of UVA in comparison to other military friendly schools. 

2022 - The Strategic Plan for Student Veterans of UVA provided President Jim Ryan with a list of key priorities to establish an Office of Veterans Services and a position for a Director of Student Veteran Services.

In the case of veteran advocacy, it is necessary to equip our students with robust support. The role of a Director and Veteran Service Officer can aid veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

2023 - We were made aware of a Dean David A. Sauerwein's unannounced occupation of the VSC conference room. The room was designated for private studying, group projects, and SVA meetings. Notably, this room was decorated with the Flags of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard. These military flags serve as an acknowledgment that students from all branches rightfully earned their place through their sacrifices at Thomas Jefferson’s University.

Sauerwein, who has served as a Posse Foundation Liason and ally to veterans was previously assigned to Peabody Hall. As a longtime advocate within the Office of Dean of Students, what was the reasoning for his relocation? Why has his voice for veterans been minimized to the basement of Newcomb Hall? 

It is more than just a conference room. Our students found sanctuary in the conference room. Student Veterans may prefer the conference room since they have more in common with the room than they do in a crowded library. In some cases, it is the one space in the VSC that allows for experiencing grief.

Battle flags of our service branches were replaced them with decorations. Why did Sauerwein move into the VSC? What would happen if this happened to other cultural groups? Was this move non-normative? Do these flags do not materialize to civilians as cultural representations? Is there another space to relocate him?

Present - After multiple failed attempts to reach the previous Vice President of Student Affairs, Robyn S. Hadley, and the Office of President Jim Ryan, the SVA has yet to receive an official response as to why these actions were taken without conferring with the military population on Grounds.

It is the petitioner’s opinion that actors in the scope of these events have disregarded the Student Veteran and Military Affiliated population.

What are the University’s goals with the VSC? Why are we not being heard? Why is it difficult to get answers? What is it about the population that convinces University leaders that we are not a population that should be treated fairly and just?

Student Veterans and Military Affiliated Students have more to offer to UVA. It is on the University to acknowledge these facts and uphold their ranking as the #9 Best Colleges for Veterans.

With the purpose and background, our sentiment towards what transpired is irrevocable unless our demands for the University are met.

Demands for the University:

1. The effective relocation of the Dean's Office from the Veteran Student Center. 

2. In collaboration with Student Veterans and Military Affiliated Students, fulfill the Key Priority under the 2022 Strategic Plan of establishing an Office of Veterans Services and a position for a Director of Student Veteran Services.

How You Can Support:

1. Regardless of affiliation, help us bridge the civilian-military divide at UVA by signing your name on https://www.change.org/p/reclaim-theveteran-student-center-at-university-of-virginia.

2. Raise awareness by sharing the petition with family, friends, and colleagues. We hope to be a beacon of advocacy to schools across the nation.

3. Share your story, we want your inspiration to fuel our conversations. Comment if you or someone you know experienced something similar to this situation at an institute of higher learning. 

3. For further questions, email studentvetsuva@gmail.com