Student Life
USD, Department of Health partner to monitor COVID-19 cases on campus
As of Oct. 20, the USD COVID-19 dashboard was reporting 41 active cases among students and faculty, with 174 individuals in quarantine or isolation. All statistics provided in the dashboard are self reported, and there are no requirements in place for USD students to report if they have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. Kevin […]
Survey shows approval for USD COVID-19 response
A USD survey of students who tested positive for COVID-19 or spent time in isolation or quarantine showed students have had a positive experience with the university’s response to the pandemic this semester. The survey, conducted between Sept. 14 and Sept. 28 by the USD COVID-19 Task Force, showed almost unanimous approval of the university’s […]
Making internet connections: Honors common read event moved online
Incoming freshmen in the honors program each year participate in the honors common read event. For this, the class is assigned a book to read over the summer and then meet for an event usually during the first few weeks of class to have a discussion with honors professors and peer mentors on the book. […]
Hanging around with new hammock club on campus
USD is home to many clubs on campus varying in academics, sports and other student interests. Recently a new student organization has been added to USD — that student organization is the Hammock Club. The Hammock Club is a new and quickly growing student organization now offered at USD. On Sept. 15 the student organization […]
Gestring reveals university’s 5-year strategic plan
After the delay of the announcement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Sheila Gestring revealed USD’s 5-year strategic plan during USD’s 2020 State of the University Address. Gestring outlined the plan’s six strategic themes at the event: Academic Excellence, Engagement, Facilities and Infrastructure, Diversity, Serving South Dakota and Affordability, The plan, set to go through […]
CAB reimagines Halloween festivities
With Halloween just around the corner, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) is working to make this season as spooky as possible — all while keeping students safe. While this month usually kicks off with the annual fall concert, followed by costume parties and pumpkin carving, CAB is reimagining what Halloween will look like this year. […]
Work Scholars program works with local businesses, opens new doors for students
Students now have another opportunity on campus to grow outside the classroom. The Work Scholars program was created this fall to help students build a strong social network and give them the opportunity to find jobs within their major while in school. Linda Halliburton, director of the Work Scholars program, said the two major components of […]
USD implements random COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic campus population
To assess whether it needs to implement further safety measures on campus, USD has begun weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing of asymptomatic students and staff. Kevin O’Kelley, member of USD’s COVID-19 task force, said the testing of asymptomatic students and staff is one of three COVID-19 testing programs on campus. The second is the testing of […]
Get Out the Yote registers students to vote in last weeks before election
In 23 states, the deadline to register to vote has already passed, but for South Dakota, that deadline is Oct. 19. Addison Miller, director of Get Out the Yote — a student organization encouraging USD students who can claim residence in Clay County to register in South Dakota — said the organization seeks to work […]
Institute of American Indian Studies to return to USD
Since 1990, South Dakota has celebrated Native American Day instead of Columbus Day on the second Monday of October each year. This year, USD celebrated the holiday by announcing the revitalization of the Institute of American Indian Studies (IAIS). The IAIS, originally established at USD in 1955, was discontinued in 2009 after losing funding due […]