CSM to Open New Veterans Resource Center

Veterans attending the College of San Mateo will soon have a new center designed to meet their needs.

Next month, the college will hold a grand opening for its new Veterans Resource and Opportunity Center, which will aim to assist veterans of all generations in their transition to academic life.

The center offers a Zen room, a lounge, office space, and several study areas with computers. It also features a framed U.S. flag that was flown during active duty. Capt. Justin Erickson, who served two tours in Iraq, donated the flag.

“It’s awesome that we have a center for veterans specifically,” Shamariah Jointer, a veteran at CSM who served in Iraq and participates in the college’s student ambassador program, said in a statement.

“CSM is such a friendly college, but on top of that veterans now have a place where they can get their thoughts together, have an area to study or watch TV, or Skype with their loved ones or friends still in Afghanistan — It is awesome,” Jointer said.

About 300 veterans, reservists and dependents of veterans attend the College of San Mateo. Of those, more than half are eligible for the GI Bill. Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans attending CSM are eligible for the highest GI Bill benefit payout in the nation. For more information about veterans services at CSM, visit collegeofsanmateo.edu/veterans/

The college will hold its grand opening of the center on Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. The event will begin in the Office of Student Life (Building 17, Room 112) with keynote remarks by a student veteran, college officials and local dignitaries.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception will immediately follow in the new center, located in Building 16, Room 150.

The public is welcome to attend the event. For a map and directions to CSM and parking information, visit Maps, Directions & Parking at College of San Mateo.