Academics
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 […]
Consultants nab input in search for provost, dean of the business school
Students, faculty and community members at the University of South Dakota gathered for a meeting Thursday to provide input regarding the search for a new provost for the University of South Dakota and a dean for the Beacom School of Business. The Provost Search Committee and the Dean, Beacom School of Business Search partnered with […]
South Dakota Board of Regents approves new program minors, cuts Theater M.A.
The South Dakota Board of Regents approved three new minors at the University of South Dakota to be implemented next spring during their December meeting in Rapid City. The minors, to be offered on-campus only, include Child and Adolescent Development, Inter-professional Disabilities Services and K-12 English as a New Language. Chuck Staben, provost and vice […]
Staben accepts presidency at University of Idaho
Provost Chuck Staben will depart from Vermillion Feb. 15 as he transitions to his newly-appointed position as president of the University of Idaho, said University of South Dakota President James Abbott Monday. “Losing an important member of USD’s executive community is always bittersweet, but I can’t help but be happy for him,” Abbott said. In […]
Student plagiarism not always handled properly
USD Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Chuck Staben said plagiarism at the University of South Dakota isn’t always followed by proper procedure. English Department Chair John Dudley said there are two ways to approach plagiarism at USD: academically and through student conduct. “The academic decision is at the discretion of the instructor,” he […]