SGA “fully committed” to inclusive excellence, diversity
Dear Fellow ‘Yotes, Diversity and Inclusiveness are two critical values that are fundamental to Inclusive Excellence and the mission of the University of South Dakota. As the Student Body President, I would like to remind the USD community of those values as reflected in the University of South Dakota Diversity and Inclusiveness Statement. This statement […]
President’s Council on Diversity: remember inclusiveness
Dakota Days at USD is about celebrating school spirit, unity and community. Events related to D-Days are a time for all of us to come together as Coyotes. As the USD community celebrates and participates in Dakota Days, the President’s Council on Diversity and Inclusiveness would like to remind everyone about Inclusive Excellence — the […]
SGA focuses on internal, external approach
My fellow coyotes, As the spring semester comes to a close, I wanted to provide you all with an update on what your Student Government Association has been up to. We have continued to stay busy all semester long, and have accomplished much already. Thanks to the smooth transition and hard work by the outgoing […]
Standing up against the Keystone XL pipeline is about protecting the future
I’ve gathered up the courage to voice my opinion and stand against Keystone XL and make it known. For anyone in favor of the pipeline, I humbly ask, have you ever seen films like “Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest,” or more recently, “The Lorax?” The films are cartoon and portray when humans try to control […]
Letter to the Editor: SGA president reflects on semester’s efforts, successes
It’s that time again. Yes, finals week has arrived once again in all of its caffeinated and sleep-deprived glory. I wish you all of the best in your studying and test-taking efforts. When you walk out of that last final, take a deep breath and take it in. You’ve made it through! After that deep […]
Letter to the Editor: Professor doubts “discrimination alone” leads to gender gap
The war between the sexes, perhaps humankind’s oldest, continues to flicker on the University of South Dakota campus. Payton Randle fired an opening salvo in the Oct. 2 Volante, questioning the need for a feminist women’s group on campus. Sarah Heerdt responded, arguing that the existence of the wage gap, violence against women and employment […]
Letter to the Editor: Growth of students needs residence hall reevaluation
I agree with Erik Muckey when he mentioned hopes for new residence halls in Braley Dodson’s article, President James Abbott covers enrollment, graduation and retention rates. If Abbott wants to continue the growth at the University of South Dakota, he needs to accommodate that growth with places for new students to live. As a student […]
Letter to the Editor: State of women proves shocking
This report shows that 14.5 percent of women and girls in South Dakota live in poverty, and that 48.6 percent of Native American women in South Dakota live in poverty. The report shows that South Dakota ranks 43rd in overall economic, leadership, and health rankings. Overall, it is a disturbing report that highlights the low […]
Letter to the Ediotr: Ratio leaves students questioning
As we begin diversity discussions around campus, I am concerned about the men-to-women ratio on campus. As of last year, 62 percent of our student body was female. Our female to male ratio is more uneven than the national average, which is 52 percent female. Where are all the college-aged men? Especially men of color? […]
Letter to the Editor: Dean urges students to use time to strive for greatness
President Lincoln’s inaugural address appealed “to the better angels of our nature.” In that spirit, I write respectfully and with great affection to all USD students — as a first-generation college student and South Dakota kid — asking that you give academic life your very best effort. After all, few people in human history are […]