Student Life
Sexually transmitted infection rates on the rise in South Dakota
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Health in a yearly infectious disease report. STIs are infections that can be transferred person-to-person through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Comparing year-to-date data on new cases to the five-year median between 2011 and 2015, […]
Sexual assault update: No continued threat suspected
Though Matt Betzen, Chief of the Vermillion Police Department, couldn’t provide any more details regarding the investigation of a reported sexual assault that happened on-campus last week, he was able to confirm that there is no ongoing threat to the community. “The investigators have no reason to believe there’s a continuing danger to the public,” […]
Students battle it out in North Complex laser tag event
North Complex was a battleground Wednesday night as students armed with laser guns ducked behind cover while trying to take out opponents. Students gathered to enjoy a friendly battle of laser tag hosted by the Laser Barn in the Beede-Mickleson basement. During the event, students could team up, betray, and “kill” others. One of the competitors, junior, […]
$300,000 Department of Justice grant to help combat sexual assault at USD
A recently received $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will soon help to combat sexual assault with the It’s On Us campaign at USD. The grant money will be used to hire a project coordinator, who will be housed in student services under Kim Grieve, the dean of students and vice president of […]
Community members, USD students prepares for flu season
As autumn comes into full swing, flu season comes along with it. Flu season starts in October lasting until March, sometimes as late as May, said Art Pepper, a nurse practitioner at Sanford. “Flu season starts because of the cold weather,” Pepper said. “People stay indoors and are in close proximity of each other, […]
Vermillion Family Planning Center shuts down over summer
Due to lack of funding, the Vermillion Family Planning Center was shut down over the summer. Senior Jody Vanden Hoek said she’s not sure many people knew about the clinic when it was here, and only knew about it because she received their business card. “I’m not sure what their services all include, but the […]
Wellness Coalition brings awareness to binge drinking with new program
With a presentation titled “Cocktails and Camelbaks, members of the Wellness Coalition are taking a new approach in educating students about the dangers of underage drinking by going where they’ve never gone before: the residence halls. On Monday evening, the Coalition, which aims to advance behavioral health and wellness for USD students through prevention […]
Gender inclusive housing, the Center for Diversity & Community important outlets for LGBTQ+ students
In its second year of implementation, gender inclusive housing along with efforts by the Center for Diversity & Community has made a positive impact for LGBTQ+ students. About 30 students opted for gender inclusive housing this fall, said Housing Director John Geske. Gender inclusive housing is available in North Complex, McFadden Hall and Coyote Village, […]
Residence halls to receive future lock system updates
A new step in a security program for North Complex has been completed and a new lighting policy for residence halls has also been put into place for this semester. John Geske, director of housing said housing works closely with the Coyote Card office to keep the dorms secure. “What we do there is make […]
New students move into dorms during USD Move-in Day 2016
8: 33 a.m. As a car pulled into the parking lot of North Complex Friday morning a group of college students in red shirts surrounded the vehicle. Today was USD Move-in Day. One of the first students to move in was first-year Ashley Nolz from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who pulled into the lot around […]