March Student Organization of the Month: Campus Veterans Association

By: Emily Dowdell

            This month’s student organization of the month is the Campus Veteran’s Association. CVA, founded in 2009, partners with the Office of Veteran and Military affairs, and was founded out of a need from veterans on campus. The organization’s current president, Jordan Carpenter, explains that the organization began when it was realized that returning veterans had a hard time adjusting to life at the University. As a result, the group was formed to create a community of people with similar experiences and problems, and create a place where members can simply hang out and spend time together.

            According to Carpenter, many of the members believe that traditional University social activities “don’t fit where we are in life,” as some members are married with families. So the group provides ways to get involved on campus. In his new role as president, Carpenter explains he intends to focus on three aspects within the organization to involve members: Sports, Social Outings, and Community Service. This past fall, the group organized a tailgate, and members attended games together. The group participates in intramural sports as another way to involve themselves in sports on campus. In terms of social outings, Carpenter has a Veterans banquet planned for the end of April. The organization also participates in community service. The group is partnering with the Community Service Center to put on a “Sleep Out On the Quad” to raise awareness about homelessness. According to Carpenter, “20% of the homeless have served in the military,” so this event hits home for the group. CVA is also trying to partner with the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa for a community service project.

            The organization’s members include veterans, current service members, dependents (children of service members or veterans), and ROTC cadets. Currently, most of the organization’s events are not open to all students, but according to Carpenter, “We’d like to get to open events, but we aren’t there yet.” However, if students wish to support the Campus Veterans Association, they may register for the Golf Tournament CVA which will be held on March 31^st. The tournament serves as fundraiser for the organization, and the group plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project. To register, students may go to sga.tix.com.