“At Ease Zone” for Student Veterans

Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and the Coast Guard now share a common space — the At Ease Zone — on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

An official ribbon cutting welcomed the veterans and military-connected families to the new dedicated location that supports UMKC student veterans as they transition into community and campus life.

The new At Ease Zone is a partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and opened on March 1. It will serve more than 400 UMKC student veterans on campus.

The At Ease Zone is a connecting point for veterans. Staffed by students and work studies who are veterans, the office provides referrals to campus and community resources and assists students with information about their GI Bill benefits.

Bob Prue, School of Social Work associate professor, said as a veteran, he was supported by his alma mater and was told “you have waited in enough lines during your time in the military. Just come to the front of the line” when you needed assistance. Prue wanted UMKC student veterans to have the same level of support.

Rachel Jewett, a UMKC social work graduate student and a Marine Corps veteran, appreciates the new dedicated area.

“As a Marine veteran, it is comforting that UMKC has included my brothers and sisters in welcoming us with this space, and extra supports to be successful in our educational goals,” Jewett said. “Many people say ‘we support the troops,’ but UMKC has actually done it, and this is just the beginning.’”

At Ease Zone is located in room 239 of Cherry Hall, 5030 Cherry St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

|Wandra Brooks Green, Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications