SDSU Community –
The month of August is set to begin and that means we are nearing the start of another academic year. Faculty return the week of Aug. 14 and the 2023 Fall Conference will begin two days later on Aug. 16. This year's theme is "Supporting Students and Ourselves Across Personal, Cultural and Experiential Differences."
Freshmen move-in day will be the following week, Aug. 18, with the start of classes being Aug. 21. It has been another fast summer as the excitement of our students returning.
Our fall enrollment looks positive, but there is still work to be done to ensure our students are enrolled and attending classes when the enrollment numbers become available in late September. Thank you to everyone for your work to make sure we provide our students the greatest opportunities to pursue their academic and professional dreams. I look forward to providing our numbers after the South Dakota Board of Regents release the system enrollment data the third week of September.
Our Meet State committee continues to plan for move-in weekend and the all the events that welcome our new students to campus and those returning for another year. I encourage everyone to help as many volunteer positions remain available. It is a great opportunity for all of us to be visible as campus leaders and help our students and families with an important day in their lives, as many are coming to college for the first time.
There are many volunteer opportunities besides helping families move items into the residence halls like helping to direct traffic, deliver water to volunteers and even greet families as they arrive to campus. If you are available, please consider signing up to volunteer online.
Also, on Friday, University Housing and Residential Life will hold an open house for anyone interested in seeing the newly renovated Pierson Hall. The open house will be held from 3-5 p.m. and will be a chance to see the great work done to update the facility into a modern residence hall for our students. I know it will certainly look much different than when I was a student at SDSU.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Please remember to sign up for the welcome back picnic. The information is below.
Go Jacks!
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn, President
Above and Beyond
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes SDSU Veterans Affairs staff and supporters.
The SDSU Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission is to assist military veterans, their family members and their survivors in obtaining all federal and state educational benefits and entitlements they have earned by serving in the United States military. Serving more than 300 students every year, the center provides guidance and support services that will aid veterans in their transition to academic and civilian life.
Director Russ Chavez, retired U.S. Army, and Coordinator Connie Johnson, U.S. Army, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, run the Veterans Affairs center. It houses a federal certifying official to assist with financial aid, assists students who are deployed and still enrolled at SDSU, and provides additional support to the SDSU Armed Forces Association. Russ and Connie also collaborate with city and county agencies that assist veterans, work with returning National Guard units and other active-duty personnel to assist with admission/re-admission to SDSU, and work collaboratively with SDSU’s financial aid, counseling center and disability services offices to provide services and support.
The Veterans Affairs Resource Center supports military students by coordinating programs such as Horses for Heroes, the Veterans Retreat, Veterans Writing Workshop and Iron Warrior Weightlifting. Veterans Affairs efforts also include Warrior Week and Warrior Wellness Week programming in collaboration with Miller Wellness Center, as well as coordinating the Military Family of the Game for all home football games.
Most recently, the center hosted its fourth annual SDSU Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament at Edgebrook Golf Course. The event allows community members, veterans and service members to form new friendships with great camaraderie and friendly competition. Proceeds go toward the annual Veterans Retreat, which takes 24 veterans to Deadwood every January for eco-therapy to support their mental and physical health.
Thank you, Russ, Connie and all who support the Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission, for going Above and Beyond to ensure military veterans, their families and survivors have the guidance and support they need at SDSU.
Above and Beyond
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes SDSU Veterans Affairs staff and supporters.
The SDSU Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission is to assist military veterans, their family members and their survivors in obtaining all federal and state educational benefits and entitlements they have earned by serving in the United States military. Serving more than 300 students every year, the center provides guidance and support services that will aid veterans in their transition to academic and civilian life.
Director Russ Chavez, retired U.S. Army, and Coordinator Connie Johnson, U.S. Army, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, run the Veterans Affairs center. It houses a federal certifying official to assist with financial aid, assists students who are deployed and still enrolled at SDSU, and provides additional support to the SDSU Armed Forces Association. Russ and Connie also collaborate with city and county agencies that assist veterans, work with returning National Guard units and other active-duty personnel to assist with admission/re-admission to SDSU, and work collaboratively with SDSU’s financial aid, counseling center and disability services offices to provide services and support.
The Veterans Affairs Resource Center supports military students by coordinating programs such as Horses for Heroes, the Veterans Retreat, Veterans Writing Workshop and Iron Warrior Weightlifting. Veterans Affairs efforts also include Warrior Week and Warrior Wellness Week programming in collaboration with Miller Wellness Center, as well as coordinating the Military Family of the Game for all home football games.
Most recently, the center hosted its fourth annual SDSU Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament at Edgebrook Golf Course. The event allows community members, veterans and service members to form new friendships with great camaraderie and friendly competition. Proceeds go toward the annual Veterans Retreat, which takes 24 veterans to Deadwood every January for eco-therapy to support their mental and physical health.
Thank you, Russ, Connie and all who support the Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission, for going Above and Beyond to ensure military veterans, their families and survivors have the guidance and support they need at SDSU.
Monday Message
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes SDSU Veterans Affairs staff and supporters.
The SDSU Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission is to assist military veterans, their family members and their survivors in obtaining all federal and state educational benefits and entitlements they have earned by serving in the United States military. Serving more than 300 students every year, the center provides guidance and support services that will aid veterans in their transition to academic and civilian life.
Director Russ Chavez, retired U.S. Army, and Coordinator Connie Johnson, U.S. Army, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, run the Veterans Affairs center. It houses a federal certifying official to assist with financial aid, assists students who are deployed and still enrolled at SDSU, and provides additional support to the SDSU Armed Forces Association. Russ and Connie also collaborate with city and county agencies that assist veterans, work with returning National Guard units and other active-duty personnel to assist with admission/re-admission to SDSU, and work collaboratively with SDSU’s financial aid, counseling center and disability services offices to provide services and support.
The Veterans Affairs Resource Center supports military students by coordinating programs such as Horses for Heroes, the Veterans Retreat, Veterans Writing Workshop and Iron Warrior Weightlifting. Veterans Affairs efforts also include Warrior Week and Warrior Wellness Week programming in collaboration with Miller Wellness Center, as well as coordinating the Military Family of the Game for all home football games.
Most recently, the center hosted its fourth annual SDSU Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament at Edgebrook Golf Course. The event allows community members, veterans and service members to form new friendships with great camaraderie and friendly competition. Proceeds go toward the annual Veterans Retreat, which takes 24 veterans to Deadwood every January for eco-therapy to support their mental and physical health.
Thank you, Russ, Connie and all who support the Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission, for going Above and Beyond to ensure military veterans, their families and survivors have the guidance and support they need at SDSU.
Above and Beyond
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes SDSU Veterans Affairs staff and supporters.
The SDSU Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission is to assist military veterans, their family members and their survivors in obtaining all federal and state educational benefits and entitlements they have earned by serving in the United States military. Serving more than 300 students every year, the center provides guidance and support services that will aid veterans in their transition to academic and civilian life.
Director Russ Chavez, retired U.S. Army, and Coordinator Connie Johnson, U.S. Army, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, run the Veterans Affairs center. It houses a federal certifying official to assist with financial aid, assists students who are deployed and still enrolled at SDSU, and provides additional support to the SDSU Armed Forces Association. Russ and Connie also collaborate with city and county agencies that assist veterans, work with returning National Guard units and other active-duty personnel to assist with admission/re-admission to SDSU, and work collaboratively with SDSU’s financial aid, counseling center and disability services offices to provide services and support.
The Veterans Affairs Resource Center supports military students by coordinating programs such as Horses for Heroes, the Veterans Retreat, Veterans Writing Workshop and Iron Warrior Weightlifting. Veterans Affairs efforts also include Warrior Week and Warrior Wellness Week programming in collaboration with Miller Wellness Center, as well as coordinating the Military Family of the Game for all home football games.
Most recently, the center hosted its fourth annual SDSU Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament at Edgebrook Golf Course. The event allows community members, veterans and service members to form new friendships with great camaraderie and friendly competition. Proceeds go toward the annual Veterans Retreat, which takes 24 veterans to Deadwood every January for eco-therapy to support their mental and physical health.
Thank you, Russ, Connie and all who support the Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission, for going Above and Beyond to ensure military veterans, their families and survivors have the guidance and support they need at SDSU.
Above and Beyond
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes SDSU Veterans Affairs staff and supporters.
The SDSU Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission is to assist military veterans, their family members and their survivors in obtaining all federal and state educational benefits and entitlements they have earned by serving in the United States military. Serving more than 300 students every year, the center provides guidance and support services that will aid veterans in their transition to academic and civilian life.
Director Russ Chavez, retired U.S. Army, and Coordinator Connie Johnson, U.S. Army, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, run the Veterans Affairs center. It houses a federal certifying official to assist with financial aid, assists students who are deployed and still enrolled at SDSU, and provides additional support to the SDSU Armed Forces Association. Russ and Connie also collaborate with city and county agencies that assist veterans, work with returning National Guard units and other active-duty personnel to assist with admission/re-admission to SDSU, and work collaboratively with SDSU’s financial aid, counseling center and disability services offices to provide services and support.
The Veterans Affairs Resource Center supports military students by coordinating programs such as Horses for Heroes, the Veterans Retreat, Veterans Writing Workshop and Iron Warrior Weightlifting. Veterans Affairs efforts also include Warrior Week and Warrior Wellness Week programming in collaboration with Miller Wellness Center, as well as coordinating the Military Family of the Game for all home football games.
Most recently, the center hosted its fourth annual SDSU Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament at Edgebrook Golf Course. The event allows community members, veterans and service members to form new friendships with great camaraderie and friendly competition. Proceeds go toward the annual Veterans Retreat, which takes 24 veterans to Deadwood every January for eco-therapy to support their mental and physical health.
Thank you, Russ, Connie and all who support the Veterans Affairs Resource Center’s mission, for going Above and Beyond to ensure military veterans, their families and survivors have the guidance and support they need at SDSU.
Faculty and staff who have gently used professional dress clothing are encouraged to donate and help our students. Donations can be made to the Office of Career Development and will be available to students for free following the Sept. 5 career fashion show in the University Student Union Market.
Donations including suits, shirts, ties, dress pants, dresses, pant suits and dress shoes can be brought to Room 136 of the University Student Union during normal business hours or by calling Becky Pistulka at 605-688-5242 to schedule pickup.
The Office of Continuing and Distance Education is launching a new online tutoring service from Tutor.com, available to SDSU students beginning Tuesday. There is no cost to the students.
Tutor.com connects students with expert online tutors who can help with a wide variety of course subjects.
Students will also have access to educational tools and study resources such as:
- Study tools and lessons
- Drop-off writing review
- Diagnostic quizzes
- Instructional videos
Students will access Tutor.com via their D2L course shell under “Help” on the course menu bar.
All SDSU students will have up to 15 hours per semester allocated to them for utilizing Tutor.com, and we can provide additional hours on a case-by-case basis for students who may need additional support. While all students enrolled in an SDSU course may be able to access and utilize Tutor.com through their D2L course shells, our promotion of the service will be primarily to our online and distance learners.
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Additional information for students is available on the CDE webpage and in the SDSU Virtual Student Union.
The Miller Wellness Center is holding a food drive for Jack's Cupboard during the month of August.
For each donation, participants receive 1% off the total price of a membership, personal training, group swim lessons or outdoor gear rentals. Each person may donate up to 15 items, and donations needed include rice, noodles, canned meats, gluten-free items, canned fruits, cereal and Hamburger Helper meals.
Items can be brought directly to the Miller Wellness Center.
Faculty and staff will receive notice to complete the annual Title IX and equal opportunity online training. Federal guidance and SDBOR policy require postsecondary institutions to provide annual training to all employees. More importantly, the training supports SDSU’s core values and retention efforts.
The SDBOR has contracted with a vendor, SafeColleges, for this online training program. The required training for the 2023-24 academic year is “Title IX and Sexual Harassment Prevention for Employees” (28 minutes). In addition, information is provided regarding equal opportunity regulations including new federal legislation titled Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The training must be completed no later than Sept. 29.
Employees will receive a message via their sdstate email accounts inviting them to complete the trainings. The email will be titled “SafeColleges Online Training” and will include instructions on how to access and complete the trainings.
If you experience concerns while operating the trainings, please email Michelle Johnson.
Miller Wellness Center will host its first Jackrabbit Open Pickleball Tournament on Aug. 25-27.
Events to be offered include: men's and women's singles, 60-plus open doubles, men's and women's doubles, mixed doubles, and 12U open doubles in 3.0 and under, 3.5 and 4.0-plus skill divisions.
Registration is $35 for the first event and $15 for each additional event. Participants are guaranteed three games for each event in which they register. Registration will close Aug. 9.
Please contact Kyle Dawson by email or at 605-688-5294 with any questions.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online through the submission form.
