Letter to the editor: Students, university should commit to being inclusive
Last month the university released (via Facebook/social media) a Valentine’s Day video. Although most of these Valentine’s Day messages from students were harmless shoutouts to parents, friends and partners, there were clips that treated same-gender relationships as a joke and seemingly mocked these partnerships. The university received numerous complaints and removed the video. Then, on […]
Letter to the editor: Why would USD want to be a sanctuary campus?
I recently read an article featured in The Volante. A senator of USD’s Student Government Association, Josh Arens, sponsored a bill that would make the University of South Dakota a “Sanctuary Campus.” He is also quoted as saying, “No alternative facts, don’t listen to those that say it does call for illegal action.” An “undocumented” immigrant […]
Letter to the editor: Student majority not represented in recent GAF increase
On Feb. 7, 2017, the University of South Dakota Student Government Association voted to approve Senate Resolution 20, increasing and allocating funding to the General Activity Fee for FY18.The GAF is funded exclusively by students and after year one, will be required to pay an additional $9 per credit hour. Of the increased funding, $601,696 […]
Letter to the editor: The great divide
To the students of USD, There is a divide on our campus, and it resides in a flat-paved section of asphalt known as Cherry Street. Geographically, it divides the main campus and from athletics, and this is where the metaphorical divide also begins. Now I confess that I am a proud member of both of […]
Letter to the editor: Be frustrated with the system
The students and administration of USD have grappled with the issue of increasing the General Activity Fee (GAF) since the financing of the Wellness Center. I was first introduced to this issue while serving as the vice president of SGA during Sami Zoss’ presidency. Now, I am approaching the proposed increase from the perspective of […]
Letter to the editor: Faculty must raise the bar
If you are a university student, you may take part in a lecture or online class. Regardless, you may have additional collaboration assignments to post online and respond to your usually two or more classmates.Such methods used by professors, in my opinion, is a lazy approach to effective pedagogy leadership and fails to facilitate knowledge.I […]
Letter to the editor: USD is safe, inclusive place for all
The 2016 President Election has brought many emotions forward both across the nation and here at USD. As a campus dedicated to inclusive excellence, we strive to be inclusive in all our practices and encourage our students to be inclusive as well. Regardless of race, nationality, creed, sexual orientation or political ideology, we should always […]
Letter to the editor: Practice inclusiveness this Halloween season, don’t choose offensive costumes
Letter to the Volante editor: As Halloween draws near, we start to think about the fun, the costumes and the candy that goes along with it. Halloween is certainly a time of celebration and creativity. It is also a time to be mindful of our value on inclusive excellence and emphasis on everyone feeling valued, […]
Letter to the editor: Instead of leaving Student Federation, SGA should work for a compromise
As a retired Army veteran, I would like to share that I hold various memberships in military organizations that advocate on my behalf. Sometimes the expense for that advocacy can be pricey and not as useful as I desire. However, without it, I am left with no voice and no representation for my concerns. Recently […]
Letter to the editor: Honors Program curriculum serves all students
Dear Editor, I am responding to the Aug. 30 opinion piece addressing the Honors Program curriculum. The Honors Program serves students of all majors and our courses are explicitly designed to be interdisciplinary in nature, allowing students to share their perspectives with one another. As a result, according to an exit survey of a 2016 […]