New student organization petitions for updated free speech policy

Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), one of USD’s newest student organizations, is working to promote free speech on campus. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) rates USD as a red light campus, which means that freedom of speech is restricted on campus, according to their guidelines for free speech. Formed only two weeks ago, […]

3 mins read

Students present research to legislators in Pierre

Two USD students were invited to the State Capitol on Monday to present their research with 10 other students from South Dakota Board of Regents schools. Alexandra Dolezal and Kami Pearson were nominated by faculty they work with to represent USD. Kami Pearson, a senior psychology major, delivered her presentation “Psychological and Biological Indicators of College Students with […]

1 min read

Student Federation works with SDBOR institutions, legislature

The Student Federation is a group of students from the South Dakota Board of Regents institutions who oversee numerous issues affecting students. Issues discussed at Student Federation meetings range from legislation like Senate Bill 103 to campus issues such as the concealed carry debate. The group represents higher education in South Dakota, and they vote […]

5 mins read

House Bills for DakotaDome, National Music Museum updates awaiting governor’s approval

Two state House Bills, which would fund updates to the DakotaDome and the National Music Museum, were passed by the state Senate on Feb. 7 and are awaiting the governor’s signature. House Bill 1060 would appropriate a sum of $14.5 million privately raised donations, $6.4 million capital funds held at USD and $5.4 million from […]

4 mins read

Senate Bill 103 proposal could prohibit undocumented students from attending state universities

In reaction to the introduction of a sanctuary campus resolution  in Student Government Association by former SGA senator Josh Arens last year, a state Senate bill has been proposed.  Senate Bill 103, which could potentially prohibit undocumented students from attending South Dakota Board of Regents schools and receiving in-state tuition and financial aid was introduced by Sen. Stace […]

5 mins read

Search committee forms to appoint next university president

The South Dakota Board of Regents is going through the process of finding a successor for President James Abbott. The search committee was appointed by SDBOR President Bob Sutton in early November. There are 13 committee members, including students, faculty and alumni. There was no application process to join the committee; members were appointed. Each […]

2 mins read

ICARE explained: Strategic plan approved, subcommittees move forward

The ICARE strategic plan, a $300,000 sexual assault prevention and education grant the university received in 2016, was approved on Oct. 20. ICARE stands for Inclusive, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Engagement. It’s “committed to preventing and responding to sexual assault in the University of South Dakota community through programming and advocacy,” according to the mission […]

13 mins read

Need-based financial aid program in the works for South Dakota

South Dakota is one of the only states that doesn’t offer a need-based financial aid program. The South Dakota Board of Regents has been working on a program, Dakota’s Promise, to change that. Dakota’s Promise is a five phase, state-funded aid program that could support 6,000 students once fully implemented. SDBOR has sent a recommendation […]

2 mins read