Academics
Course requirement changes in the works
Changes for the 2014 Academic Catalog were approved by the curriculum instruction committee of the College of Arts and Sciences after several discussion meetings over the past four years. Requirements for math, humanities and social sciences for all students in Arts and Sciences and the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts were proposed to […]
Academic probation rates declining
The number of University of South Dakota students placed on academic probation is on the decline, said Stephen Ward, director of the Academic and Career Planning Center. BREAKOUT: According to USD’s website, “If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.0, they will be placed on ‘Academic Probation.’ Student who are placed on […]
Academic Affairs continue to weigh professor evaluation switch
A shorter professor evaluation form could be approved by Academic Affairs at the University of South Dakota by the end of the semester, interim Provost Kurt Hackemer said. The current diagnostic form of evaluations, which is 47 questions long, could potentially be replaced by a shortened 18 question evaluation, pending approval by Academic Affairs. “This […]
Faculty seminars provide insight to industry innovation
Every Friday since the fall 2011 semester, faculty and students gather in Lee Med 107 for a presentation given by a visiting scientist as part of the Faculty Seminar Series that the department comes together to provide. Lisa Moore, assistant professor at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, organizes a […]
Popping pills to make the grade: Illegal Adderall use surfaces as ‘study drug’ at USD
Professors are piling on the homework before spring break. Midterms are underway, which causes sleepless nights of studying for exams. Stress levels are running high, and as sophomore Elizabeth Jensen, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, tries to assess how best to accomplish all that needs to be done. Her friend turns […]
Provost candidates to be selected by early May
The search for the University of South Dakota’s new provost is in full swing and moving toward selecting preliminary candidates by early May, said Mary Nettleman, provost search committee chair. Nettleman said the committee has begun reviewing applications, but no selections have been made for preliminary interviews or on-campus interviews. The plan is to host […]
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 […]
Webcam proctoring system under review
The South Dakota Board of Regents is considering the implementation of a webcam feature to be incorporated into the Lockdown Browser system as a way to deter students enrolled in any of the state’s public universities from engaging in academic misconduct. Eric Mosterd, assistant director for the Center of Teaching and Learning at the University […]
D2L to be required in courses, Faculty Senate to mandate online interaction
The University of South Dakota Faculty Senate is endorsing a new policy requiring all 100 and 200-level course instructors to use the Desire2Learn grade book feature and post a syllabus. According to the Faculty Senate minutes, the proposal was presented on behalf of the office of academic affairs and approved by the faculty senate at […]
Science sequence dropped
Next fall’s incoming first-years will no longer have to complete the previously required science sequence for graduation, due to recently passed legislation by the University of South Dakota Faculty Senate. Faculty Senate voted unanimously for the legislation Jan. 16 after the proposed change had gone through a year of research. Two semesters of science, including […]