Helping veterans
Campus veterans’ service officer helps veterans get back on their fee

By Courtney Mchaffie · The Mainstream
Published May 4, 2010

Helping veterans Campus veterans’ service officer helps veterans get back on their feet Courtney Mchaffie | Published May 2010

Jim Fitzpatrick, the new campus veterans’ service officer, will be busy helping returning veterans receive benefits from their G.I. Bill.

“When soldiers return from Iraq, generally 35 percent of them are unemployed and 50 percent are underemployed,” said Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick helps veterans that are UCC students, such as those from the recently discharged Charlie Company, file for compensation and pension that is available for those who have acquired injuries while serving and hinders their employability. Veterans receive 5 free years of health care upon discharge. There also are programs available that can help the veterans start a small business and assist them to keep it running if they are deployed again.

The G.I. Bill, or the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1945, was implemented for World War II veterans by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The original omnibus bill included benefit programs to help veterans receive a college education and one year of unemployment compensation.

The Oregon House Bill 2178, which passed last summer, is designed to help veterans and their dependents take advantage of their State and Federal benefits by creating the Campus Veterans’ Service Officer Program. Fitzpatrick, who also works at Southwestern Oregon Community College, Lane Community College and University of Oregon, helps veterans and their dependants enroll in V.A. health care, enroll in V.A. home loans and receive counseling for issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Veterans who have served and have not been dishonorably discharged are eligible.

“All the veteran programs are great and I’m thankful for them,” said Tommy Mills a UCC student and veteran who is taking advantage of the G.I. Bill. “The resources are helpful and it helps me stay positive.”

Fitzpatrick is available at his UCC office in the Campus Center, across from the Information Desk. He is available from eight to two most Fridays. He also can be reached by phone at (503)559-3423 or by email: fitzpag@adva.state.or.us.