SDSU Veterans House Integrates Vets into Campus Life

For student veteran Shane Hanner, his new digs at San Diego State University are a far cry from the barracks he lived in as a member of the U.S. Army and Navy. Hanner is the first resident in the new Veterans House on SDSU’s Fraternity Row.  The Veterans House is the only such residence for student veterans in the nation. 

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for veterans to integrate more into campus life,” said Dr. James Kitchen, Vice President for Student Affairs.  “This is a unique opportunity for student veterans and the other students living on campus to get to know each other on a level that isn’t afforded in the normal academic environment.”

Hanner, who served in the Army and Navy for six years, will be starting at SDSU this fall as a junior after attending community college. As house manager, he will oversee the activities of the house, which will be a home base for the 500-member Student Veteran Organization.

“The house will be a place all student veterans can come to socialize, have SVO meetings and study groups,” Hanner said. “We also want to host activities with other student organizations and start to build that camaraderie with our fellow students. I think there will be a lot we can learn from each other.”

Veterans at SDSU

SDSU is home to more than 800 veterans and 200 active duty military students on campus.  Another 275 veterans are expected to enroll this fall, in part because of the new 21st Century GI Bill which provides additional financial support for student veterans to attend college. 

Being in a military town, SDSU has always valued its veteran students and works hard to find new ways to support their educational goals, Kitchen said.

SDSU Veterans Center

The SDSU Veterans Center is an all-inclusive information center and support facility for prospective and current veteran, active-duty and dependent students. Staff members assist them with applying to the university, utilizing military benefits, finding housing and searching for on-campus jobs.

Funding needed for student veterans

SDSU President Stephen Weber provided funding for the first year of the lease but additional support is needed to extend the lease for the three years the house is available.  The Student Veteran Organization is leasing the house from Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, which was suspended from campus until at least 2012. 

As part of SDSU’s Troops to College initiative, SDSU is seeking private giving to support the Veterans House and extend services available at the SDSU Veterans Center.

For those interested in supporting the Veterans House, contact Gwen Notestine at 619-594-2324 or [email protected]. Donations can also be made to SDSU's Troops to College initiative.