The Student Veterans of America (SVA) at SJC Long Island will bring the entire College community together to celebrate Veterans Week with a series of events from Nov. 7-10, culminating in a Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11.
SVA is a vibrant student-lead organization that aims to promote an understanding of veterans and their vastly unique experiences, as well as the issues they face upon returning home. Its mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation.
Veterans Week Events At a Glance
All week, flags will be available for a $1 purchase to be placed outside on the campus to raise veterans awareness. Visit the Student Veterans Lounge in the Student Hospitality Lounge, Room 1 to purchase a flag or receive more information.
Life of a Service Member
Date: Monday, Nov. 7
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Location: McGann Conference Center
Description: Students, faculty and staff are invited to checkout different aspects of military service by interacting with real equipment, uniforms and memorabilia.
Veterans Panel
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 8
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Location: Music Room, O’Connor Hall
Description: Join us during common hour for a Q&A with our panel of student veterans. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions to student veterans and listen to anecdotes from different service experiences. There will be free food for all in attendance.
Open Mic
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 9
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Location: McGann Conference Center
Description: Students, faculty and staff will be given a chance to showcase their musical, artistic and writing talents. Between each performance, SVA will be sharing student veteran transition stories to enhance the collective student veteran voice on campus. SJC veterans are encouraged to fill out this questionnaire prior to the event in order to have their story told. SVA will also be raffling off prizes — tickets are $5.
Please sign up in the Student Veterans Lounge or with the Diversity Union.
SVA Dodgeball Tournament
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: Danzi Athletic Center Gymnasium
Description: Drinks, snacks, music and dodgeball! There are two more team spots still open in the tournament! Sign up a squad of six today in the Student Veterans Lounge, Room 1 or email sjcsva.li@student.sjcny.edu. There is an entry fee of $5 per person. All proceeds will be donated to America’s VetDogs. Prizes will also be raffled off — $1 for one ticket, $3 for five tickets and $5 for eight tickets. Teams will receive 10 raffle ticket entries the day of the event.
Veterans Day Celebration
Date: Friday, Nov. 11
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m
Location:McGann Conference Center
Description: New York State Sen. Thomas D. Croci will lead SJC’s annual Veterans Day ceremony to acknowledge veterans from the College and local community. Each veteran in attendance will be individually recognized for their military service and will receive a 2016 College Challenge Coin to show our appreciation. Lunch will also be served.
**Attention Veterans: Please RSVP with name, branch and years of service to Elyse Quirk at equirk@sjny.edu.**
Inaugural SJC Military Ball
Date: Friday, Nov. 11
Time: 7-11 p.m.
Location: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2913
Description: SVA will host SJC’s first military ball. The night will be filled with dancing, dinner and raffles. Service members are welcome to dress in uniform — and all will dress to impress. Tickets are $25 per person and are available for purchase in the Student Veterans Lounge, Room 1. Admission for veterans is free.
