New bill to make gender affirmation surgeries and procedures illegal

Lawmakers in Pierre began the first set of hearings on Monday to decide on a new bill that will, if passed, affect doctors and transgender minors. The bill would make it a first-class misdemeanor if doctors conduct gender affirmation surgeries and treatments The Vulnerable Child Protection Act (VCPA), also known as House Bill 1057, is […]

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USD Student Government votes in favor of Dakota’s Promise Scholarship

The student governments of South Dakota’s six regental universities passed a resolution in support of the Dakota’s Promise Need-Based scholarship on Dec. 10.   This scholarship would move the Board of Regents one step closer to their post-secondary education goal. According to the resolution from the South Dakota Student Federation, the South Dakota Student Federation […]

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Current and former USD students defend diversity offices in letter to Board of Regents

A group of USD students and alumni showed support for campus diversity offices after state legislators expressed concern to the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) about their role in promoting intellectual diversity Tuesday. Over 60 current and former students signed a letter defending USD’s diversity offices, which was distributed to the Board of Regents […]

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Senate Bill 122 moves past committee hearing, colleges concerned

The South Dakota Judiciary Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 122 to the Senate floor on Tuesday. SB 122 will “restrict the enactment of policies governing the possession of firearms at a public institution of higher education.” Essentially, if passed, this bill will forbid the Board of Regents, South Dakota Board of Technical Education or […]

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South Dakota becomes 14th state to legalize ‘constitutional carry’ for concealed weapons

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed into law her first bill while as Governor. Senate Bill 47, which Noem signed on Thursday, will make it legal for South Dakota residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Noem said she was “proud” have this be the first legislation she signed while in office as […]

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Kristi Noem may face challenges as South Dakota’s first female governor

South Dakotans elected the state’s first female governor, Kristi Noem, last November. Noem served in the U.S. House of Representatives for South Dakota before she was elected governor. Although Noem has experience within South Dakota politics, some women said there is still fear she will not be taken seriously as a leader because of her […]

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Women in leadership: Political involvement at USD

This is the first part of an ongoing series about female leaders in South Dakota. A record number of women are running in midterm elections across the country, and according to a Pew Research Center study, the majority of Americans say having more women leaders in politics and business would improve everyone’s quality of life.  […]

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Former Medical School Dean to be Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame

Dr. Rod Parry, dean of the medical school from 2004 to 2012 will be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame at an honors ceremony held Sept. 7-8. According to a press release given from the university, Parry graduated from USD’s medical program in 1970 and returned to South Dakota in 1976 after serving […]

1 min read

USD Law school alumnus appointed to South Dakota Supreme Court

USD law school alumnus, Mark E. Salter has been appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Salter, adjunct professor and current Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge was appointed Thursday afternoon to the highest court in South Dakota. According to a press release given from the university, Dean of the law school, Tom Geu said he had the “pleasure” […]

1 min read