The University of South Dakota is wasting time and money. It seems the Muenster University Center project was not fully researched to begin with. USD now wants to spend more time, money and resources to do what it should have at the outset of the project: find the true needs and utilizations of the building.
I think the MUC resembles an airport terminal rather than a campus building at a university. It’s one of many spaces on campus underutilized or poorly organized.
A similar situation seems to have occurred with XDIS. Several professors say they voted against it at inception. I have not heard a single good thing from students who have taken it. Either USD did not fully research the program before it began, or they refused to re-evaluate it as it continued.
These are not new complaints. And don’t give me some song and dance about complaining being useless. Only improper complaining fails.
Actually, I could be wrong. Look at the current plans for expanding the MUC and the end of XDIS.
Common to both of these projects is that input regarding problems appears to go unnoticed, ignored or is picked through for commentary that agrees with whatever vision the administration sees. This is an extremely
disturbing thought.
I do my fair share of complaining. I also properly complain. I go to the proper arenas for resolution. However, I know how things seem to be swept under the rug or shelved indefinitely by those I have reached out to.
I can’t tell you how many of my fellow students I have heard saying they will not recommend USD to others or have expressly told others to avoid USD. Sadly, I’m one of them.
I think this university has forgotten something: You are here for us, not the other way around. It is our money, time and efforts that keep this university going. The university needs to fulfill the needs of the people who stand the most to gain or lose by attending it — the students.
It also needs to respect the opinions of those in the trenches daily — the faculty and staff. This means actually listening and thoroughly analyzing all input from both students and staff, especially when the input indicates something is wrong.
USD advertises itself as one of the most affordable universities to attend. Remember the old saying — you get what you pay for.
-Wendy Taylor,USD Alumnus
M.A., English- Creative Writing
