Four West Court buildings demolished, Military/Veteran Resource Center opens
CHADRON – While construction was being completed on the east side of Chadron State College’s campus this summer, four West Court structures containing 10 apartments were being demolished on the west side. The units were constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s but they were demolished as part of the first step in a three-year plan to remove the housing complex, according to Dale Grant, vice president of administration and finance. Asbestos abatement was completed prior to the demolition.
One of the West Court buildings, Number 26, has been remodeled to become the Chadron State College Military/Veteran Resource Center. Phone and computer lines have been installed and furniture has been moved into the location, according to Chris Singpiel, admissions and military and veteran services coordinator.
Singpiel will staff the center from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. He has hired four Veteran’s Administration part-time work study students who will assist him in providing services to veterans and their families. They are Brandon Girard, Sean Ross, Julianna Schaeffer and James Taylor.
Additionally, a counselor from the Black Hills VA will visit the CSC center to meet with local veterans every other week, while a patient advocate from the Black Hills VA will visit monthly to assist veterans and families with issues with health care. A vocational rehabilitation specialist will visit during the semester to assist disabled veterans with planning and completing their education. Singpiel also plans to make arrangements with the Black Hills VA to bring additional counselors and health care professionals to CSC to assist veterans.
“We will also work on getting video conferencing capabilities so veterans can meet with their health care providers over the Internet and cut down on drive time, and missed classes and work,” Singpiel said.
Allan Connell, Dawes County Veteran Service Officer, will be at the center weekly to help answer questions veterans may have regarding their benefits.
“The addition of the Military/Veteran Resource Center on campus will give our student veterans a place to call their own. It will give them a common place on campus to gather, study and most importantly, a place to form a greater sense of camaraderie. This will serve as a support system for them as they transition from the military to student life,” Singpiel said.
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Category: Campus Announcements, Campus News