Faculty Training

History

As a result of the increasing demand for higher education across North Carolina involving military veterans, a state-wide initiative was launched to study the impact veterans would have on campuses and services offered.

In early 2012, at East Carolina, a committee was formed to evaluate the university’s ability to serve veterans. With the high enrollment of veterans and dependents enrolled, it was deemed necessary to create an office to handle day-to-day requests involving veteran students (with the exception of VA G.I. Bill benefits). The Military & Veterans Resource Center (formerly Student Veterans Services office) was established under the Office of Student Transitions, but now resides within Student Life.

MVRC handles the task of educating staff and faculty on important issues that affect the student veteran population through the Green Zone Training program. Green Zone Training is a compilation of various sources of information to include: Veterans Administration, first hand veteran accounts, university statistics, and transitional characteristics.

The GZT student panel has been a highly successful part of the training program because it gives the participants a chance to ask personal questions and the panelists have to opportunity to tell their individual stories.

Once a faculty or staff member has completed the training they become “Green Zone certified” and can proudly display the GZT logo outside their office door. This lets student veterans know that they should feel welcome and that the faculty member is a friend to veterans.

What is Green Zone Training?

An initiative to support student veterans by designating locations recognized as a “safe place”.

Identifies faculty and staff throughout East Carolina University who are knowledgeable about issues faced by student veterans and the resources available to assist them.

Participants are identified by a Green Zone emblem located outside their office door and on their syllabus.

Is not only a Professional Development opportunity but also a way to be supportive to those who have sacrificed for others.

Helps faculty and staff provide supportive services necessary to ensure that veteran students are successful in their academic pursuits, adjust to the campus environment, and eventually transition to civilian employment.

Who is a Green Zone volunteer?

• ECU staff and faculty who identify themselves as:
  • someone who is aware of the issues and concerns faced by student veterans/service members
  • someone who is available to assist the student
  • someone who has completed the Green Zone training
• Volunteers are NOT expected to be experts who can “solve” the problems; Instead
  • lend a sympathetic ear
  • be someone who can help the student find the appropriate resources for problem resolution