‘Something special’ planned for Dakota Days

With no sporting events and all the safety guidelines that come with the pandemic, Dakota Days week is shifting to alternative means to celebrate USD homecoming. Doug Wagner, advisor to the Dakota Days executive committee, said the biggest difference this year is that large events have moved from the Muenster University Center to either Aalfs […]

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University Housing offers alternative on-campus living options

While the hallways of North Complex are usually full of students socializing, this semester, on-campus housing looks a little different. From campus-wide mask-wearing to isolation housing, there are many new rules and regulations in place to keep students in on-campus housing safe this semester. Unlike previous years, move-in weekend was spread over three days with […]

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Changes to scholarships, eligibility, revenue due to NCAA’s response to pandemic

The NCAA Division I council recommended, on Aug. 12, the Division I board of directors provides student-athletes affected by COVID-19 an extension of their five year period of eligibility. As well as, an additional season of competition if they participate in 50% or fewer competitions allowed in each sport. David Herbster, USD Athletics Director, has […]

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Honors programs sees changes for fall semester

USD is enforcing new changes with the safety and health of students in mind throughout campus, and the honors program has a new face to oversee those changes. Melissa Berninger is the interim director of the honors program following the departure of former director Scott Breuninger, who now resides in Virginia. The decision on who […]

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Lessons to learn from COVID-19

As the number of infections soar and deaths rise it’s clear the United States failed to keep its citizens safe.  While the end isn’t near and no one can say exactly when the pandemic will be over, we can start analyzing our responses and learn some key lessons. Arguably one of the biggest lessons is […]

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Local Thrift Shops Closed Indefinitely

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and new city regulations, local thrift stores are closed indefinitely. For the past three weeks, The Civic Council and New 2 You have been closed. The Civic Council is a second hand, non-profit store that gives profit directly back to the Vermillion community. They frequently donate to the Vermillion Food […]

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USD students and faculty make masks for those in need

Students and faculty members at USD are breaking out the sewing machines to supply masks for the Vermillion community and surrounding areas. The USD Mask Task Force has made hundreds of masks for on-campus students and essential employees — as well as distributing fabric masks to Vermillion residents during the coronavirus pandemic.  The task force […]

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Physical therapy students on schedule to graduate after COVID-19

USD’s physical therapy program is making sure students learn the necessary skills while staying on track to graduate despite transitioning to online learning. USD’s physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The commission establishes the minimum standards and elements of knowledge PT students need to graduate. Patti […]

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Summer camps, conferences canceled in response to COVID-19

USD announced on Friday all summer camps are canceled— including American Legion Auxiliary South Dakota Girls State, originally scheduled for June 1 through 6, Despite the cancellation, all participants will receive a certificate of achievement and according to the press release, will be invited to the banquet scheduled for the fall. ALA South Dakota Girl […]

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Local churches navigate obstacles to deliver Easter sermons

Easter is normally a time for religious celebration among families who celebrate the April holiday, but this year was different. Some of the Vermillion churches used a live stream to deliver messages to the local community over Easter. The Saint Thomas More Newman Center delivered a mass on Easter Sunday, as well as masses prior […]

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