February 5, 2014
Lawsuit prompts academic misconduct procedure change
A new policy is changing the way University of South Dakota faculty must handle cases of academic misconduct. Staff at the South Dakota Board of Regents made clarifications on academic misconduct procedures, which are now being implemented at all six regental institutions. Kurt Hackemer, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, said the policy clarifications had […]
Vermillion Middle School students study Asian Carp, win SD Samsung STEM contest
Students from Natasha Gault’s Vermillion Middle School eighth grade science class spoke to the Vermillion City Council about how the possible intrusion of Asian Carp in the Missouri River could be detrimental to the ecosystem that flows through the area. Because of their efforts, the class won $20,000 worth of technology from Samsung for their […]
Bill would nullify texting while driving ban in city
A bill examining local government control over banning texting while driving was introduced by South Dakota Speaker of the House Brian Gosch during the 86th S.D. Legislative session. If passed, House Bill 1177 would invalidate any city ordinance illegalizing any form of inattentive driving. Seven cities in South Dakota — including Vermillion — currently have […]
Senate committee suggests diversity plaques, statues
The list of organizations and groups on the University of South Dakota campus has gotten a little longer. A committee has been formed in the USD Faculty Senate with the sole task of developing ideas for the senate to embrace the university’s theme of diversity. Senate chairman Dan Van Peursem said the subcommittee is the […]
Workroom to open for students
A new student organization workroom will soon be ready for use in the Muenster University Center. Donating $20,000 to the new workroom, the University of South Dakota Student Government Association is in the process of determining the best way to allocate the usage of the space to student organizations. The university has matched SGA’s donation […]
Wegner Center, library await upgrades
Technology and furniture upgrades worth $50,000 have been approved for the Wegner Health Science Information Center in Sioux Falls. The Wegner Center supports the health sciences at the University of South Dakota and is part of the Sanford School of Medicine campus. The building is under the management of USD, but partners with Sanford Health […]
Constructing a strong connection
Mary Berglin, 25-year director of the Vermillion food pantry, is thankful University of South Dakota students make the choice to volunteer on a weekly basis, and said she would have to schedule twice as many adults to perform the tasks if they were not willing to help. Some students help out merely because they want […]
No charges pressed in rape case
No charges will be pressed following a reported sexual assault in Coyote Village last semester. An insufficient amount of evidence ended further investigation into the case at the University of South Dakota. The decision not to pursue charges was made in late December, early January, said Clay County State’s Attorney Teddi Gertsma. “(The State Attorney’s […]
SGA taskforce gives recommendation for mandatory education and position for inclusive excellence
A taskforce dedicated to senate inclusiveness delivered a recommendation to the Student Government Association Tuesday night that called for mandatory education training and the creation of a SGA Inclusive Excellence Coordinator. Headed by SGA Senator Tyler Tordsen, the ad-hoc committee recommended an educational component to be required for SGA senators and executive team. Some of […]
REVIEW: Too many performances overshadow awards at Grammys
In case you missed it, the Grammys were last week. Even though most of music’s biggest stars were there, including both living members of The Beatles, the show itself was a bore. A show almost four hours long only televised a handful of awards. Other than music charts and sales, the Grammys is the only […]