Military and Veteran Resources
- Contact Information
-
- University-wide
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Christopher Shiffer
Assistant Director of Military & Veteran Affairs
570-389-3858
cshiffer@commonwealthu.edu
Bloomsburg
- Office Hours
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Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Commonwealth University is the destination for hundreds of military students.
What makes CU different from many other colleges and universities is our unique appreciation for the fact that military students have different needs and attributes than non-military students. The centerpiece of our efforts is the Office of Military and Veterans Resources, or as we like to call it — The Military Office.
The Military Office
Staffed by current and former military members who are using the same benefits you are, they will assist you in maximizing your benefits, getting assistance with financial aid, or helping with your military or civilian career goals and aspirations.
- Additional academic advising for all military students (on top of your major advisor): Stacie Rosewood-Boyskey, Jennifer Orndorf, Michael Hall, and Amanda Kern, are dedicated professionals who can explain every aspect from admissions to graduation.
- Military Academic Credit Review Board (MAC-RB) – An individualized process which ensures military service and experience is acknowledged as appropriate academic credit. This process is innovative, even path-breaking. It exists nowhere else in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Only a handful of colleges and universities nationwide are doing anything so service-intensive and academically grounded to support military students and veterans.
MaryJo Campana – MAC-RB (CU) – Lock Haven. 570-484-3129. mcc831@commonwealthu.edu - GI Bill Certifying Officials:
Stacie Rosewood-Boyskey – GI Bill Certifying Official (Mansfield); FTA (Mansfield) – Mansfield
570-662-4134 srosewoo@commonwealthu.edu
Jennifer Orndorf – GI Bill Certifying Official (Lock Haven); EAP (CU); MFEP (CU); FTA (Lock Haven) – Lock Haven
570-484-2847 jconnor@commonwealthu.edu
Amanda Kern – GI Bill Certifying Official (Bloomsburg) – Bloomsburg
570-389-4439 akern@commonwealthu.edu - Military specific programming, guest speakers, and events created specifically with military members in mind.
- All military members who have graduated entry training receive two credits in healthy living which satisfies one of the 10 general education goals.
- A co-curricular learning experience (CLE) specifically for military members who have experience with other cultures (usually in the form of a deployment) — This CLE earns 2 out of the 5 points needed for the cultures and diversity general education requirement — and it's FREE!
- Active Duty Activation Policy
Student-veterans who are called to active duty status (deployment, mobilization, enlistment) and must withdraw from the university should contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@commonwealthu.edu as soon as possible to request a military withdrawal. The student must provide activation orders. The Registrar’s Office will provide the student with guidance on the steps required to withdraw. Students may be charged for room and board only for the time they lived in campus housing or utilized a meal plan if deployed within a term. Grades will not be awarded for a partial term, including a W for Withdrawal, if deployment occurs before a term is concluded. The Registrar’s Office will also provide guidance upon withdrawal on the process to return to the University after activation. Students will contact admissions@commonwealthu.edu when they are ready to readmit. Students will be readmitted to the same program as before deployment or a similar program if that program is no longer offered. The student will have the same enrollment status, (unless another status is chosen by the student), the same number of credits and the same academic standing.
Military Resources Center
One of the most common issues veterans face after coming home from a military deployment or after leaving active service is a sense of being lost and alone. The Military Resources Center is a safe place for current and former military members and military supporters.
The Military Resource Center is staffed by current and former military members who are knowledgeable of specific military needs and solutions, and will do whatever it takes to resolve any issues. The Military Resources Center is located in Student Services Center 013 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stop by for free coffee and to get to know your military network.
- Military Student Education Benefits Checklist
- Military Student Scheduling
- Military Academic Credit Review Board (MAC-RB)
- GI Bill® Benefits
- ArmyIgnitED
- Military & Veterans Learning Community
The Cohen Mental Health Clinic provides no-cost mental health care to post 9-11 Veterans and their families.
Referral Services
In addition to the Military Resources Center, Bloomsburg University offers a number of resources, which any student, including military students, may contact if they are having any issues or concerns.
Some such resources are:
OMVR Contacts
Name | Responsibility | Office | Phone |
---|---|---|---|
Christopher Shiffer | Assistant Director of Military & Veteran Affairs | Bloomsburg | 570-389-3858 |
Stacie Rosewood-Boyskey | Enrollment Services ESRII/ School Certifying Official | 231 South Hall Mansfield | 570-662-4134 |
Jennifer Orndorf | ESRII/School Certifying Official | 223 Ulmer Hall Lock Haven | 570-484-2847 |
Michael Hall | FTA (Lock Haven) – Lock Haven | 223A Ulmer Hall Lock Haven | 570-484-2452 |
Amanda Kern | Military Resources / GI Bill Certifying Official | 112 Arts and Administration Bloomsburg | 570-389-4439 |
Columbia County VA Clinic – Bloomsburg / Buckhorn
- 570-316-4116
- 225 Columbia Mall Dr, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
- Covers medical care for local VA.
VA Vet Center – Williamsport
- 570-327-5281
- 49 East 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701
- Covers Combat related care for PTSD, Alcohol Counseling for Combat Vets, Marriage Counseling for Combat Vets, and Military Sexual Trauma for all Military and Veterans
VFW Post 804 – Bloomsburg
- 570-784-9904
- 1258 Millville Rd. Bloomsburg, PA 17815
- Covers assistance for Vets for comp & pen, and other Military related services.
American Legion Post 273 – Bloomsburg
- 570-790-3796
- 110 Juniper St. Bloomsburg, PA 17815
- Covers assistance for Vets for comp & pen, and other Military related services.
County Offices
Columbia
- 570-387-6501
- 11 West Main St. Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Luzerne
- 570-706-3960
- 2009 Wyoming Ave. Forty Fort, PA 18704
Williamsport
- 570-327-2365
- Executive Plaza 330 Pine Street Williamsport, PA 17701 / Suite 401