Opinion
Traveling abroad is an unforgettable opportunity
A short trip can change your perspective on life and inspire you for years to come. I’ve only traveled out of the country once, and that was for a trip down to Mexico back when I was in fifth grade. I was visiting my family members and I wasn’t completely on my own; however, I […]
Students, faculty need to work together to promote sustainability on campus
With a new semester in full swing, students expect changes around campus — perhaps more than what they’re actually seeing. Not to undermine those fancy new charging stations, but when it comes to campus-wide sustainability, USD continues to lag behind. Even after proposals for increased recycling facilities and energy-efficient options, these have yet to become […]
Technology: A double-edged sword for social interaction
Whether it’s chatting with an old friend over coffee or going to a party, cell phones seem to have a core place in social interactions. I have had countless conversations interrupted by a text or notification. The issue isn’t with technology; technology itself is a fascinating topic of discussion all by itself. The issue is […]
College campuses need strict gun policies
On Aug. 1, 2016, a new law in Texas was passed that allows college students to legally take their guns into campus buildings, whether they’re in a four-year university or a two-year junior college. Permitting guns in the high stress environment of college is a dangerous decision and it can lead to possibly deadly situations. […]
Polarizing political factions restrict compromise
In his farewell address in 1796, George Washington said, “However political parties may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves […]
Sexual assault isn’t a joke
Rape should never be comical. During the Title IX course for incoming first-year students, a video was shown equating consent to making someone a cup of tea. The video showed someone forcing another person to drink tea, which was quite obviously a metaphor for sexual assault. Some students found this part to be funny, as […]
South Dakota legislative sessions too short
Given South Dakota’s small, conservative population, it should come as no surprise that it has a fittingly small government. No matter the size of the government, it still takes time to run a state. Right now, South Dakota isn’t even giving the legislature time to think. The South Dakota state constitution limits the length of […]
Hand dryers spread bacteria, affect health on campus
The University of South Dakota regularly updates and remodels buildings across campus, such as Old Main and the new Sanford Coyote Sports Center. But in the administration’s fervor, the next remodel should start in the bathrooms. The debate between jet-dryers and paper towels is a heated one. Although students and faculty may overlook the issue, the hygienic staple affects everybody’s […]
Letter to the editor: Students should stand against Dakota Access Pipeline in solidarity with tribes
My friends in Vermillion, some say that money does the real talking, but how does one ignore the voices declaring,”No!”? The Spirit Camp—respectfully known as the Sacred Stone Camp—near Cannonball, North Dakota, is a peaceful protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Sacred Stone Camp stands for defense in the front lines, but your support […]
Honors Program should better accommodate students’ interests
For students seeking challenging academics, USD’s Honors Program is a great resource and interested first-years easily fill up the entirety of Farber Hall. As the years progress, however, numbers in the program quickly dwindle. Whether it’s the additional course requirements or final Honors Thesis project, students seem to find disinterest in the Honors Program. Some […]