UPDATE: Classes moved online for the remainder of the spring semester, graduation postponed

In a press release sent from the Board of Regents on Tuesday, all South Dakota public institutions will finish the semester online. The semester will still conclude as scheduled on May 8. This decision, according to the press release, was made as state officials anticipated an increase in COVID-19 cases in South Dakota. “The public […]

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Spring break plans busted due to Coronavirus outbreaks

With the total number of Coronavirus disease cases (COVID-19) continuing to rise — there are currently 60 confirmed positive cases in the United States — USD students’ spring break plans have been altered as a precautionary measure. Faculty-led trips to Italy and Guatemala have been canceled due to outbreaks in Italy and quarantines in Guatemala.  According […]

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Bar safety: Bartenders watch over customers, aim to protect

This is the third and final part of an ongoing story on date rape drugs and safety in social drinking. Dakota Brickhouse is one of eight bars in downtown Vermillion. They try to watch all of their customers to ensure a safe and fun drinking environment.  One of the ways they have improved safety is […]

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Helping hands: Support available for victims of drugging incidents, sexual assault

This is the second part of an ongoing story on date rape drugs and safety in social drinking. In three out of four sexual assaults, the perpetrator has been drinking. That’s according to Women’s Health. Women’s Health also reports that in nearly half of all sexual assaults, the victim has been drinking. But, if the […]

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“If it happens once, it’s a problem”: Vermillion’s undercover date rape drug problem

Waking up in her bed, not knowing how she got there, Katherine Meirose made her way to her bathroom. There, she quickly discovered she had a black eye and no memory of how it happened.  Meirose said her first thought was, “I didn’t drink that much and didn’t have a hangover. How do I not […]

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The new wave of coronavirus, 11 positive cases in the U.S.

Over 20,000 people worldwide have been positively diagnosed with the 2019 novel coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Only 11 cases have positive results in the United States, but the number continues to grow.  With the first case of novel coronavirus occurring in Wuhan, China in December 2019, there is […]

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Plasma: The donation of a lifetime

Plasma donations are a way for college students to earn extra money, but it’s much more than a quick paycheck and some spending money.  Donations are used to help patients with possibly life-threatening, conditions, Sara Balsam, Biotest Corporate Affairs Representative, said. Biotest of Vermillion is the closest donation center, but plasma donations are taken around […]

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Amnesty Day: A day to unite Greeks

Since the beginning of Greek life rivalry, houses have played pranks on each other. Some of these pranks are harmless; some of them, like taking other houses’ belongings, have consequences.  On Monday, Greek life houses participated in Amnesty Day. Amnesty Day is a day which allows houses to return any items they have from another […]

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Safety first: Commuting in the winter weather

Jack Frost visited Vermillion over the long weekend, and with the fresh layer of snow covering the town, professors had to decide whether to risk the weather or cancel classes.  Classes were not canceled at a university level, but for Sydney Evans, a graduate assistant in the English department, and other commuting professors, safety was […]

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