Our Mission
The Veterans Resource Center provides an environment that promotes retention and graduation of student veterans in post-secondary education through the coordination of services fostering academic, personal, and professional development.
For VA Benefits Issues/Questions: veterans@wou.edu
Contact Us: 503-838-9246 or wouveterans@wou.edu
Lounge Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00am – 6:00pm
Director Office Hours: Tue-Fri 08:00am – 6:00pm
Core Values
Respect
Dedication
Collaboration
Ownership
Veterans Resource Center Location
The Veterans Resource Center is located downstairs in the Werner University Center in Room 108. The Veterans Resource Center is broken into three sections. The first area offers a comfortable lounge space complete with couches, TV, hot coffee daily, a resource book, and free books/notebooks for military-connected students, this area is most commonly used for socials. The second area is our academic space where you will find computers, printers, whiteboards, tables, and chairs, and is often a much quieter area. Lastly, we have a quiet room equipped with a computer, this space can be reserved by students here.
The VRC is where you will find access to events, workshops, peer mentors, and disability claims assistance, as well as opportunities to get connected with student-veterans peers through our Student Veterans of America chapter and P.A.V.E. program.
8 Keys to Veterans Success
Western Oregon University is committed to supporting veterans as they pursue their post-secondary education and employment goals by means of the “8 Keys” initiative through the Departments of Education, Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense.
- Create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for veterans.
- Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.
- Implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.
- Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size).
- Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans.
- Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion.
- Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.
- Develop systems that ensure the sustainability of effective practices for veterans.
