NIU’s Student Veteran Association provides support for students

Military and Veteran Services created a space for military students in the Peters Campus Life Building, Room 160, as of January 2020. That space also holds meetings for NIU’s Student Veteran Association.

The Student Veteran Association (SVA) was created to support veteran students.

“This office here helps people with everything that they need to do for school,” said Diego Torres, a junior photography major and president of the SVA. “They can get federal tuition assistance. We kind of help them get situated with all of that.”

If students need help with their mental health or have any other medical needs, the SVA can provide support. Staff from Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital visits the office every other Wednesday to help students set up doctor’s visits or connect them with a medical practitioner. 

Students can also become involved with the SVA if they want to be a part of community service projects.

“We are trying to plan a food drive working with the Huskie Pantry over in the field house,” Torres said. “For next semester, we’re planning to organize a blood drive here on campus.”

The SVA gives opportunities for students to join as members of the executive board, with current students standing in as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and social media manager. 

Currently, there are about 25 students in the SVA. ¨I think that is our biggest thing, just trying to get people involved,¨ Torres said.

Any student who is military connected is allowed to join the SVA. 

The next meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway. The following two meetings will be at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Military and Veteran Services, Peters Campus Life Building, Room 160.