COVID-19
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 continues to monitor COVID-19 cases on campus
USD’s fall 2021 semester was promised as a “back to normal” semester for on-campus learning after the disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic. More than a month in, COVID-19 remains a consideration for the university. Kevin O’Kelley, assistant vice president of research compliance and the head of USD’s COVID-19 Task Force, said the difference in […]
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 […]
SGA hosts semester’s first meeting
SGA held their first meeting on Aug 31, 2021. David Herbster, the University of South Dakota’s Athletic Director, spoke as a special guest. Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Students, Kimberly Grieve, gave the Advisor Report. Herbster emphasized the need for tailgating before games this year, which is a social gathering taking place […]
Café Brulé struggles to keep staff amid pandemic
Café Brulé has been coping with a shortage of labor, as well as issues related to COVID-19 for the past year and specifically past three months. Monica Iverson and James (Jim) Waters are co-owners of Café Brulé and Dakota Brickhouse. Both Iverson and Waters said they have never worked harder in the last 10 years […]
USD, Sanford host Vaccination Drive as students return to campus
During the first week of classes, USD and Sanford Health partnered to host a vaccination drive open to all students, staff and community members in Vermillion. The vaccination drive was held for a few hours each day in a building on campus, with 100 vaccines being administered. “(The drive) went reasonably well,” USD Assistant Vice […]
SGA returns with new faces
SGA began the first of its weekly meetings Tuesday. SGA will likely continue to face problems with COVID-19 in addition to its usual legislation. Katie Brust, the SGA Vice President, said she was looking forward to how young the senate is compared to previous years. “I think that with COVID in particular, a lot of […]
Greek Life begins new year, new policies
As USD students begin their first few weeks of classes, some among them have been busy getting involved in Greek Life. For returning students, this means looking forward to social and service events that were previously cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. For new members, it’s a chance to see what Greek Life has to offer. […]
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 […]