Academics
USD replaces Starfish with Coyote Connections
USD has launched a new academic warning system to replace Starfish, the previous system that allowed professors to raise concerns about students’ academic well-being. The new system, called Coyote Connections, lets faculty warn students and their advisors about attendance, low scores and issues with participation in class. Part of the problem with Starfish was that USD […]
Professors reflect on policies barring electronics in classrooms
USD’s media and journalism department has formed a new informal policy barring students from using laptops and other electronic devices in class. The policy is voluntary, and most media and journalism professors have chosen to take part. Junior media and journalism major Kassidie Cornell said she was taken aback by the department’s decision to remove electronics […]
I.D. Weeks to cut subscriptions to dozens of publications
Because of skyrocketing subscription costs and budget constraints, I.D. Weeks library is in the process of cancelling its subscriptions to roughly 70 academic journals, newspapers and other publications. Dan Daily, USD’s dean of libraries, said that while he doesn’t like having to eliminate any publications, cuts had to be made somewhere to balance the library’s budget. […]
Almost one in three South Dakota first-years must take a remedial course
In South Dakota, roughly 30 percent of all first-year college students are deficient in their mastery of math or English or both, in many cases. Governor Daugaard addressed this issue in his State of the State Address, calling students’ unpreparedness for college coursework a “persistent problem.” Having to take remedial courses, Daugaard said, is a “lose-lose,” because […]
Addiction studies students have a perfect pass rate
USD’s addiction studies program, the only nationally-accredited program of its kind in the state, has perfect passing rates. Over the last two years, students in the program have had a pass rate of 100 percent. Nationally, the pass rate for addiction studies is 82 percent, said Frank Zavadil, the department chair. Addiction studies focuses on understanding […]
Fewer USD law students are passing the bar exam
Only three weeks into spring semester, USD School of Law students are preparing for the bar exam. The law school has seen a relatively low passage rate of the bar exam passage in recent years. Historically, passage rates for the bar, the test lawyers are required to pass to practice law, have been as high […]
Associate professor looks to create USD sustainability graduate program
To further an effort to become a “green” university, USD is pursuing a graduate program in sustainability. Meghann Jarchow, the sustainability coordinator and associate professor is going through the motions in order to get the graduate program approved and running. Jarchow said that the process started with the grant money that was received. With that, […]
Student activity fee increase put on hold in light of tuition freeze
Because of wariness from the South Dakota Board of Regents to allow an increased student activity fee in the same year that in-state tuition was frozen, USD’s General Activity Fee will not continue to rise as originally anticipated. SGA President Nathaniel Steinlicht said the reason for the SDBOR’s hesitation stemmed from the fact that they didn’t like the […]
Math Emporium discussion gets heated at SGA meeting
Math Department Chair Dan Van Peursem had another opportunity to defend USD’s Math Emporium on Tuesday night, as he addressed SGA and again presented his case in favor of continuing the Math Emporium despite student disdain for it. SGA senators have been saying for weeks that the forum they held Feb. 16 to discuss the Math […]
SDBOR freezes in-state tuition, gives name to sports complex
The South Dakota Board of Regents approved a slew of changes with direct impact on USD students at its meeting last week. From a tuition freeze to an official name for the new USD sports arena, here’s a breakdown of what students, faculty and the community can expect. “The board meeting last week addressed many […]