2015
Students should exercise right to free speech, but do so responsibly
As Americans, we have our First Amendment right to free speech. As it says in the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition […]
Substance abuse specialization cut won’t affect addiction studies program
The elimination of a substance abuse specialization will not affect the University of South Dakota’s addiction studies program, although the two areas of study share similarities. Because of low enrollment, a request for the removal of the specialization in the Counseling and Psychology in Education graduate program was submitted to the South Dakota Board of Regents last November. According to https://mcshin.org/resources/drug-addiction-help-who-needs-it-and-how-to-get-it, […]
MUC expansion: One year in review
More than a year later and the expanded Muenster University Center is finally at a point of completion when it comes to matters of construction and office relocation. The building now boasts 100,000 square feet for student dining, meeting space and staff offices. No immediate plans for changes in the renovated space are planned, said Kim Grieve, vice […]
Beer tax pits business owners against City Council
Before a heated informational session Monday evening, mayor John Powell turned to a few other members of the Vermillion City Council. “I might get impeached tonight,” Powell said jokingly. The City Council is proposing an ordinance for a five percent malt liquor mark-up to help fund renovations to Prentis Park. The mark-up would be charged […]
2015 VerminCon sees record attendance
Two hundred and three gamers from across the region filled the Muenster University Center Ballroom this past weekend. The University of South Dakota Games Club hosted its 23rd annual VerminCon, a student-run gaming convention that occurs over the span of two days. The convention broke last year’s record of 168 attendees. Senior Katarina Hammoud, vice president of the […]
Chamber Singers receive national recognition
University of South Dakota junior Sopida Trageser practices singing every day. For more than 10 years, Trageser has been involved in music. “In my free time, I usually like to look at music 30 minutes a day,” she said. After countless hours of practice, University of South Dakota Chamber Singers, such as Trageser, are being […]
Women’s track eyes top conference finish
Although the 2015 track and field season has just begun, it doesn’t mean the goal to win Conference isn’t alive and well for the University of South Dakota women’s track and field team. With two meets under its belt — in Lincoln, Neb. and at South Dakota State — the team is using those competitions and a strong fall […]
Sentencing in tax fraud scheme will not affect football program
Three former University of South Dakota football players, along with eight others, plead guilty to tax-refund fraud. Alphonso “Rico” Valdez was sentenced to 61 months in prison Jan. 12 in Sioux Falls. Each of the 11 people involved in the scheme plead guilty, and about $400,000 was collected in total. Athletic Director David Herbster said in […]
Men’s track and field push for consistency
After a first-place finish at South Dakota State Jan. 24, the mens’ track and field team is fighting injury and building consistency to move forward with its 2015 season. While no season-ending injuries have been sustained, head coach Dave Gottsleben is still pushing for his athletes to get healthy. “We are getting healthier as we speak,” he said. […]
S.D. legislative session: Four bills that pertain to USD students
As the 2015 South Dakota legislative session gets underway in Pierre, The Volante has compiled a list of bills to keep an eye on that pertain to students at the University of South Dakota. No requests from USD were received by the South Dakota Board of Regents asking to submit any bills to the Legislature this […]