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Cases stay low, on-campus COVID-19 testing remains available
There are currently six active cases of COVID-19 at USD as of Oct. 19, but COVID-19 testing is still available daily as the virus remains on campus. USD had a peak of 25 cases in early September, but hasn’t seen the case total climb above 15 since Sept. 8. There are currently nine individuals in […]
USD students, faculty voice CDC concerns at “Opportunity for All” listening session
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Volante’s Verve Editor Bennett Clary and Managing Editor Miles Amende contributed to this story. The USD committee working on the South Dakota Board of Regents’ (SDBOR) “Opportunity for All” action plan held a listening session Sept. 28 to report on the committee’s progress and receive feedback from USD students and faculty. The […]
Vermillion Schools and their procedures for COVID
The Vermillion School District (VSD) has a “Return to School Plan” in place where masks are not enforced unless a building surpasses a certain COVID threshold. Masks are required for two weeks until COVID numbers are bellow the threshold The superintendent for the VSD is Damon Alvey keeps everyone in the school district informed weekly […]
USD plans to continue monitoring COVID-19 levels
USD is still monitoring COVID-19 cases among students, faculty and the community as a whole. Kevin O’Kelley, USD Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance and Director of Environmental Health and Safety, is the university’s point of contact for the South Dakota Department of Health. He will know about every COVID-19 case on campus and within […]
USD professors prepare for fall semester
Just like students, USD professors have adapted to the changing year, involving hybrid and distanced instruction as the pandemic has played out, and are preparing to come back to campus normally next fall. Lori Costello, USD assistant professor, said this past year has been tough. These past two and a half semesters, more students have […]
Brief: USD vaccination event switches to Moderna after Johnson & Johnson FDA approval paused
A vaccination event on the USD campus substituted Moderna’s first dose for Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccination after the FDA announced a temporary pause on Johnson & Johnson’s approval. Both the CDC and FDA are investigating blood clots developed by six women after vaccination. 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been […]
People ages 16 and up can receive COVID-19 vaccine
The first wave of students eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine were students who worked in clinical care settings and those who had underlaying heath conditions. On Monday, statewide eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine was extended to all residents 16 and older, according to a press release from the USD COVID-19 Task Force. This includes all […]
USD Greek Life adapts to restrictions on social gatherings
USD’s Greek Life organizations have seen a reduction in the number and types of official social events since the start of the pandemic last March. Laura Anderton, director of sorority and fraternity life at USD, said the university’s normal policy for approving social events for fraternities and sororities involves registration 10 business days prior to […]
Board of Regents announces intentions for “normal” fall semester
College life at USD saw many changes during the 2020-21 school year after a surge in the pandemic. Life on campus was full of mask-wearing students who were told to stay six feet apart at all times. For many of the students, a schedule full of Zoom classes became a new normal, but that is soon […]
USD encourages COVID-19 tests before break
With only two days left until the campus is vacated and students return home for spring break, the university is preparing for the COVID-19 repercussions that could be seen after the Coyotes reconvene after the break. USD is continually stressing the importance of getting tested and is offering students “Know Before You Go” PCR testing […]