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Show iJage 66 ihe bignpost unentdtion ran zuu-t Office eases soldiers' transition to student life By BECKY PALMER sr. news reporter The Signpost Building a community environment is a primary goal for the office of Services for Veteran Students at Weber State University. The office has always had a two-fold mission. According to coordinator Roger Perkins, it both administers funds pertaining to the CI Bill and works to develop a community atmosphere. "All veterans share a common background," Perkins said. "We're all in the family. Our office is the first point of contact for student veterans." A barbecue for veteran students will take place Sept. 15. All veterans are eligible for tickets. Later in the semester, the Veteran Students office will provide morning coffee breaks and weekend movies for the general student body. There are nearly 1 ,000 veterans on campus, and approximately 500 of them are utilizing the GI Bill. That bill offers a chance for individuals in active service who serve for at least 180 days, and are not dishonorably discharged, to save a small part of their salary in an education account. After those individuals leave the service, they receive money each month they are enrolled in an institution of higher education. "The return is awesome," said GI Bill beneficiary Zandro Santiago. "Where else can you spend so little for school and then get it all paid for?" Santiago is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a WSU student. He is appreciative of the Veteran Students office. "The people (in die office) know what we need because they've been there," Santiago said. "It's like they got help when they needed it and now they're turning around and serving us." Services for Veteran Students shares an office with Veteians Upward Bound and a computer lab is available for veteran students. The service, sponsored y x i f ri" " .' i:W - - TV f , jtpf i "J 1 ...... . TP" i c. f. u i ': i P V A -" X y .4 LJ. Roger Perkins (Services for Veteran Students coordinator), Benjamin, Carpenter (work-study staffer) and Amanda Willden (Veteran Students senator) prepare student records for the new semester. .ivVi- VI f 2224 WashingtoiiiBlVtl. OgdemCtah 84401 Free CD Catalog li . 'U0 Discount When You Bring In Thifi AHrl ?3 In This Add v t as".' b-Mon - Fri -MtwL - TpfnS-fXSat :10iim..-.6nriit by the Department of Education, is the only office of its kind in the state. It serves Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties. Like its sister organizations, Upward Bound and Student Support Services, Veterans Upward Bound offers tutoring in core requirement areas as well as job placement services. Approximately 120 veterans utilized the tutoring services and more than 2,000 hours of tutoring were given spring semester 2004. "I personally use (the tutoring service) all the time especially math with Jim Shepard," said Travis Oxborrow, Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran and WSU criminal justice major. Oxborrow has used the services for veterans at WSU to transition from war to student life. Having served in the active army for 10 years and only returning from deployment in Iraq last October, he now works for Veterans Upward Bound. Perkins encourages all veteran students to contact the office with any questions about upcoming activities. "We want to reach out and create a community atmosphere," Perkins said. You can leave a message for reporter Becky Palmer by calling 626-7655. Arts continued from page 1 7 "If there are people that are interested in dance education in any manner dance studio, elementary, secondary, college, community they should get in touch with us," Lawrence Weber State University is cxDrrrriitted to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of discrimination based on race, color, ethnic background, national origin, religion, creed, age, lack of American citizenship, disability, status of veteran of the Vietnam era, sexual orientation or preference, or gender, including sexual gender harassment. Such an environment is a necessary part of a healthy learning and working atrrosphere because such di scrrdrnination undermines the sense of human dignity and belonging. Discrimination and harassment are prohibited by the constitutions, statutes, precedents and regulations of the united States and Utah. It is the policy of the university to vigorously enforce these laws among its students, employees and visitors. Both informal and formal grievance procedures are available to enforce this policy. Persons who participate in this grievance procedure are protected against retaliation for doing so. Individuals who believe any of these rights have been violated should contact the office of Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity, Miller Administration Building, Room 101, Weber State university, Ogden, Utah 84408-1022 Telephone (801) 626-6239 Carrpus Police (801) 626-6460 Can handle emergency situations at any time of day or night. said. "We are going to try to help students who are interested in that area make connections." The first theater production will be in October, with "Really Rosie," a musical that is suitable for the entire family. The first Saturday matinee of "Really Rosie" will have American Sign Language interpretation. Discounts for all performing arts productions are given to students with a student ID card, and the first Tuesday of every theatrical performance is a "student-only night," a free night for students only no tickets will be sold for these events and each student will get one ticket. For information on all performing arts productions, students can visit the performing arts Web page or call the hotline at 626-6800. You can reach reporter Colleen Batchelor by calling 626-7105. a WyU IMUnlUii! Dinner Late night ITT 17U Km m wa r j CO lor ipr lor 1PH |