For the first time ever, USF St. Petersburg has its own student organization geared toward veterans.
The organization, called the Student Veterans Organization, addresses what was seen as a critical need by veterans on campus. It adds to the programming throughout the USF system, which was ranked No. 4 nationwide for veterans by the Military Times.
“Fellow veterans are the only ones who truly understand each other and know what it’s like to be where we’ve been and how we are trying to transition back into society,” said. SVO president Jared Alberico, who aims to create a veteran and military friendly campus here.
Members of the group include veterans, eligible dependents, members of the selected reserve and active-duty personnel. Anyone is welcome to join. It is an independent student-run organization that specifically serves veterans and their families through volunteering and fundraising events.
As far as spreading awareness, the organization plans to engage in what Alberico calls “boots on the ground” tactics, going door-to-door and face-to-face on campus.
For a group that started just weeks ago, the SVO has widely expanded. It is now composed of not only students, but faculty and staff, as well.
“Our ability to start collaborations is already impressing and exciting to Student Government,” Alberico says. “Everywhere we go and every face we see, we are getting great support and the excitement is contagious.”
USFSP has been in talks of starting a student veteran program since as early as 2004. This semester, student veterans finally got the group running.
“Because this is a student run organization, we need members with passion, desire, and a goal of helping their fellow brothers and sisters,” says Alberico.
The SVO’s first big events and collaborations are just around the corner. They will be working with other student run organizations for the Halloween Party on Oct. 28. On Nov. 1, they will collaborate with USF Tampa’s Student Veteran Association and tailgate before the Bull’s home game. Finally, the SVO will be hosting a Veteran’s Day celebration at Harbor Lawn on Sunday, Nov. 10. There, they will spread the word about the group and student veteran issues and support.
Alberico believes that future volunteer work in the local community will show just how caring USFSP student veterans are, and that they will never stop serving those in need.
“If you want to know what true teamwork and leadership looks like,” Alberico said, “Then come work with those who do it best.”
