Shane Rose: HIST 416, Spring 2025

In about two weeks I will be graduating from the University of Oregon. It took eleven years to get to this point, registering in 2014. I’m certain it isn’t a record for the longest enrollment period as an undergrad, but it is still a rather long time. I’m proud of myself and my accomplishments, sure, but I do have one regret. I wasn’t a Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major. I wanted to be one, as the subject matter deeply impacted who I am as a person and my trajectory in life, but Veteran’s Affairs policy actively prevented me from doing so. I wish to explain both aspects to you.