Veterans’ Orientation at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T)
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has been offering new-student orientations specifically for military members and veterans since the spring of 2010. The orientation is offered prior to each fall and spring semester. Students register for orientation via the school’s online semester registration checklist, and reminders of the orientation are also sent to students via email from the Director of the campus Veterans Resource Center (VRC). Students’ family members are invited to attend the orientation sessions as well. Planned and managed by the
VRC Director, orientation sessions last approximately three hours. A typical orientation agenda follows:
MILITARY/VETERAN ORIENTATION AGENDA
Orientation begins with refreshments (coffee, tea, sodas, water, juices, bagels with a variety of cream cheeses, fruit platter, muffins).
Topic Speaker
Director, Veterans Resource Center
Student Sign-in Sheet Distributed
Welcome; Orientation Welcome Packets;
Tour of Veterans Resource Center
Student’s Name, Service Branch, Email,
Major Field of Study
Welcome; Student Health and Safety VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Associate Provost
VA Certifying Official
Program Advisor, Veterans Upward Bound
Veterans Service Officers
Scholarships; Academics
G.I. Bill; Voc. Rehab.; Class Registration
College-prep Support/Resources;
Assistance with Scholarship Searches,
Resumes, VA Referrals
VA Referrals; DD-214 Registration;
Registering for VA Benefits

VA Vet Center
VA Black Hills Health Care System
South Dakota Dept. of Labor Vet Rep.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Ch. 31)
Campus ADA/Counseling Office
Campus Career Center
Campus Veteran’s Club Officers
Rehabilitation and Counseling Services
VA Benefits/Application
Job Search and Resume Assistance
Program Benefits/Application Overview
ADA Accommodations for Military and
Veteran Students
Twice-Yearly Career Fairs on Campus;
Internships and Co-ops; Ten Top Reasons
Employers Like to Hire Veterans
Overview of Club and Its Activities;
Student Veterans of America;
New Student Recruitment
Campus IT Group Tablet PC Distribution and Training
CONTENTS OF ORIENTATION WELCOME PACKETS
The VRC Director distributes to each new student a welcome packet containing the following information:
 campus map
 registration checklist

VRC brochure

Veterans Upward Bound brochure
 campus tutoring options available specifically for military/veteran students
 study skills, test-taking strategies, overcoming text anxiety, managing student debt
 schedule of events for campus welcome week
 list of contacts for all veteran-related services and organizations on campus and in the community
 campus parking passes
 campus health service office hours
 scholarship coaching/search assistance available

E-benefits website

FAFSA
 campus career workshops

Black Hills area visitor/tourist information
 orientation evaluation form

Please complete and return to Cathy Payne, Veterans Resource Center Director.
In order to better assist you in your college transition, we would like to receive your input regarding this orientation session. Please help us by completing the following information:
1 . Orientation Presenters: Excellent Good Fair Poor
Comments:
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2.
Orientation Program Content: Excellent Good Fair Poor
Comments:
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3. Was the orientation beneficial to you? Yes No
Comments:
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4. Did you receive the information you expected? Yes No
Comments:
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5. Was sufficient time provided for the orientation? Yes No
Comments:
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6. Orientation Location: Excellent Good Fair Poor
Comments:
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7. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ORIENTATION TOPICS
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