Nearly 40,000 computer infections could be found
First-year Megan Murray has faced a reality other students share. After clicking a link on Facebook, a virus was installed onto her laptop, causing her hard drive to crash. “It just kind of appeared one day,” Murray said. “(IT) said I’d have to get a whole new hard drive.” Murray isn’t alone. This semester, the […]
USD spends the most on electric bills
Last year, the University of South Dakota spent more than $3 million on utilities. The four main utilities — electricity, sewage, natural gas and water — are split between academic buildings and auxiliary facilities, which are residence halls and student centers, such as the Muenster University Center. The cost of utilities from June 2012 to […]
USD’s swimming and diving teams lose at home to SDSU
The University of South Dakota men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams lost to South Dakota State University Friday evening, but two USD members earned major recognition in their events. First-year Jake Knowles beat the school record of 1:06.51 with a time of 1:06.08 in the 100-meter breaststroke. Diver Greysen Hertting, first-year, qualified for the […]
Sustainability professor pushes for LEED buildings
State law requires any new construction or renovation project, costing at least $500,000 and at least 5,000 square feet, to be certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building by the U.S. Green Building Council. Although the campus has buildings that qualify as being green, sophomore Dee Rife said she have not seen […]
Music fills sophomore’s days
Sophomore Liz Pekas is more than a little musically inclined. She has been a paid musician for the past six years, playing in pit orchestras. Her specialty is the clarinet, but she also plays saxophone, bassoon, percussion and has experience with brass instruments. In total, she owns 14 instruments. Her passion for music began in […]
Student passion inspires new club
The Sustainability Club wants to turn green talk into action. Sophomore Emily Roberson recently co-founded the Sustainability Club with junior Morgan Appley during a sustainability internship. The internship, along with Roberson’s own passion for sustainability, led to her interest in forming the club. Appley had similar motivations. “For me sustainability has been a passion for […]
Haunted house gives back
Lambda Chi Alpha and Pi Beta Phi joined forces to scare students and community members for their annual haunted house event Oct. 23-24. Tickets were $5 in advance and $7 at the door, while profits from the event were split between Lambda Chi Alpha and Pi Beta Phi with proceeds going toward the North American […]
Student union eyed for cultural center location
Ethnic and cultural clubs may have a new meeting location if the proposed plan for a multicultural center is approved, said Associate Vice President of Diversity Jesus Trevino. The center would provide office space for multicultural groups, along with rooms to conduct meetings. Trevino said the Temporary Student Center near North Complex has been eyed […]
Recycling bins removed from the MUC
In part one of this four-week series about sustainability, The Volante investigates recycling on campus. In Coyote Village, a sign stands where a recycling bin used to be. At a side entrance to the residence hall, a sign tells students to bring recyclables to the trash compactor, because recycling has ceased until further notice. University […]
Abbott pushes to close gender gap, retain more male students
The university is looking to keep the women and add a few more men, President James Abbott announced Sept. 26 at the annual State of the University Address. This semester, Abbott said about 40 percent of students are male. Liberal arts universities are characterized by higher rates of female enrollment than male, but Abbott said […]