Veteran Student Organization’s Tent City Raises Awareness of Veteran Homelessness

The Veteran Students Organization (VESO) hosted its annual overnight event, called Tent City, outside Staller Center on November 4 to call attention to the harsh conditions homeless veterans face on a daily basis. This event is one of many that support Stony Brook University’s Military Appreciation Month.

Chloe Mack, a rising senior, U.S. Army veteran and president of VESO, has been working hard to bring awareness of and cultivate empathy towards the issue of veteran homelessness. “I enjoy working with different departments to create campuswide awareness of the immense contributions that veteran students make to the Stony Brook community,” she said. “Developing events brings the Stony Brook community together through various activities that promote bonding and forming new relationships.”

Stony Brook University’s Office of Military and Veteran Students Services is dedicated to assisting veterans, service members and their dependents in receiving their education benefits, facilitating their transition to college and providing support for ongoing academic success. The transition from military life to civilian life can be very difficult. “Everything that we do is to build and strengthen connections and provide a sense of community within the university among traditional students and veteran students,” explained Jane York, coordinator of Military and Student Veteran Services.

The Faculty Student Association has been working with VESO and the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services to collaborate on their events such as the Vets-for-Vets Teaching Kitchen program, Tent City, food drive for veterans and Military Appreciation Month promotions offering complimentary coffee to all veterans.

“Our mission is to create a truly memorable experience for all students, and we are proud to collaborate with the Veteran Student Organization to support the veteran community and thank them for their service,” said Diana Kubik, interim executive director of the Faculty Student Association.

On a cold November night, dedicated students stayed overnight for this worthy cause. The event featured student performances by the Stony Brook Vocalists, High C’s and Ryan Brady as well as outdoor games, activities and refreshments. FedEx donated blankets and other goodies to all of the students staying overnight. Students enjoyed watching the movie Top Gun: Maverick on the Staller Steps before the campout.

To learn more about the Office of Military and Veteran Students Services and the holistic development they provide for intellectual, personal and social needs of students, visit stonybrook.edu/vets.