On October 21, 2020, the Northern Vermont University – Lyndon’s Veteran’s Association had been voted to disband by the Student Government Association. But is it gone for good? The short answer, according to Advisor Thomas Anderson, is no.
When asked what his thoughts on the club disbanding, he explained “The club is not disbanding, it is simply on hiatus for the near term. We did lose our status as an SGA club since members have not attended any SGA meetings for quite some time… We will continue to be in existence as an entity.”
“We will revive and there is no reason why we can’t be stronger than ever before.” -Thomas Anderson, Veteran’s Association Advisor
Anderson said that the idea of Veteran’s Association returning as an SGA club will “depend on maintaining a critical mass of members and member willingness and ability to attend evening SGA meetings. It has always been a challenge for us to find coverage for the meetings since many of our members commute to campus and have families to take care of.” Realistically, time plays a serious role in the ability to attend meetings, as most SGA meetings occur late in the evening when club members are taking care of other matters.
There is a physical lounge in the Library Academic Center building reserved for veterans, and the question that has been on the mind of many since the disbandment is what will happen to that space. “The physical lounge was established through the generosity of the Lyndon Campus Leadership and a $10,000 grant that club members applied for and received from the Student Veterans of America,” Anderson said.
Campus COVID-19 restrictions have limited the Veteran’s Lounge to a maximum of three people. It has not been used since the start of the academic year because of this. “Once the pandemic is over and we’re clear to meet physically, we will again use the lounge for our meetings, VA counseling sessions, Veterans Book Group meetings, and many other activities,” Anderson told The Critic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has gone on to impact Veteran’s Association members in other ways, too. “Since most of our members are non-traditional students with families and jobs, their focus has naturally turned toward their immediate needs. Although, we are always here for each other,” said Anderson.
Ultimately, the Veteran’s Association is simply in a tough spot, and the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t helping. But Thomas Anderson hasn’t given up hope and he voiced that “The [Veteran’s] Association performs a vital function for student veterans. It connects them with each other, to meaningful community service opportunities, and resources including veterans’ benefits. The activity of the club ebbs and flows according to the number of student veterans attending NVU and interest.”
Feature Photo provided by NVU-Lyndon Veteran’s Association || The 2015 Veteran’s Association poses in front of Veteran’s Park.