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Some of Texas State’s very own Bobcat vets have been facing the dilemma of an absent check. The Texas State Veterans Affairs Office can confirm that there are approximately over 1,120 veterans enrolled at the university at the start of the fall 2009 semester. Student Services has also seen more than $700,000 enter the school through G.I. bills funding. Though that sum is a considerable amount of money, different amounts are distributed to the veterans. Organizations, such as Veteran’s Alliance, provide incoming veterans with companionship and guidance about college life, financial issues, school work, and various available resources for troops. The Alliance is a group committed veterans achieving success. The organization was started in 2007 by Clay Patterson a riflemen in the U.S. Marine Corps. President of Veteran’s Alliance, Christopher Schave told The University Star, “They identify the needs of veterans and see if it’s reasonable to fulfill them as a university. Not many universities have a group like this, and everybody’s so pro-veteran and willing to do their share to help us out.” Possibly, because of the compassion for soldiers at Texas State and the Veteran’s Alliance is why G.I. Jobs magazine listed Texas State among the nation’s top 15 percent of military friendly schools. The site lists Texas State as having a full-time veteran counselor on staff, on-campus veteran’s clubs or associations and supports a regional military installation. This past summer, Jude Prather, a Texas State student was serving in Iraq when he proposed the idea of a “Veteran’s Initiative.” The initiative was paired with the Post 9/11 bill. It is a movement to recruit more soldiers to San Marcos, as well as, to Texas State. By boosting the number of veterans enrolled, this will also boost the economy in the San Marcos community. The Veterans Affairs Office is also dedicated to the soldier. Their mission statement is posted on the Veterans Affairs Office homepage:
“The function of the Office of Veterans Affairs at Texas State University is to assist veterans in pursuing their educational, professional, or vocational objectives. We are available to answer questions concerning veteran educational benefits, certify enrollments for the Department of Veterans Affairs and monitor student’s degree plans and academic progress.”