The Volante 03.04.15

COYOTE BASKETBALL

Summit League Tournament previews Sports, B4

THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887

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MARCH 4, 2015

92nd CHAMPS

New university website launching after spring break Phillip Millar

Phillip.Millar@coyotes.usd.edu

Nearly three years of work and $428,000 are finally paying off after spring break. The University of South Dakota will launch its new mobile-friendly website.

Discussion surrounding the new website began in the summer of 2012 with goals of being compatible with all devices and advertising to prospective students, Tena Haraldson, USD marketing and university relations director, said.

The current website is neither mobilefriendly, nor a great marketing tool. More visuals, larger photos, less text and HARALDSON clearer navigation will make site access easier and more appealing, she said.

“The biggest thing about it was that it was not compatible with smaller devices like tablets and phones,” Haraldson said.

“The company we used was not keeping up with responsive design.”

USD transferred companies

because of the old company’s inability to keep up with technological demands.

“We switched everything,” Haraldson said. “We switched the content management system, so we had to get new software, and we went with a company called Sitecore, which is a very powerful, commercialgrade software.”

Three separate companies took on the project for the university. Sitecore is the content management system for the new website. NewCity created the design, and American Eagle did the coding.

The launch does not mean the process is over. Haraldson said about 80 people around campus in various departments will be given editing rights to the website as campus life changes.

One hope is for the new website to bridge the old website’s content. Some current students are writing and taking video and pictures to highlight student life on the new website.

Junior Abby Pierce is a public relations intern and works between eight and 12 hours a week for the marketing department.

Pierce transfers press releases from the old website to the new website. She also

MALACHI PETERSON I THE VOLANTE

The team comprising of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Pi Beta Phi sorority claimed their place in Strollers history Saturday with their reenactment of Saturday morning cartoons, winning the 92nd annual show.

“I can speak for our entire cast when I say it is such an amazing feeling to be the winners,” junior Amelia Howard (top left), one of Pi Phi’s three Strollers directors, said. “Our cast worked extremely hard, and I am beyond happy that our efforts paid off.”

The winning show slipped past the team of Alpha Phi-Sigma Alpha Epsilon-Tau Kappa Epsilon, whose performance of the Wizard of Oz featured classic costumes of the cowardly lion, the tin man and the scarecrow.

Miller said Strollers really carries the best in Greek life at USD, bringing together houses and actors who are not always together.

“This show would not be possible without the support from each of our chapters, so thank you to all that helped,” Howard said. “We always have a fantastic experience with the show.”

Unlike in previous years, this Strollers show was devoid of trash talking due to a new rule prohibiting offensive jokes and targeting other Greek houses.

SEE WEBSITE, PAGE A7

Athletics investing Counseling services in fan participation provide free help Braley Dodson

Michael Geheren

Braley.Dodson@coyotes.usd.edu

The University of South Dakota is investing in its fans.

If the proposed increase to the General Activity Fund is approved, the university will have another $50,000 to invest in fan participation at athletic events throughout the year. This year, a one-time allocation toward fan participation was made. The increase in the GAF would make this into a recurring expense.

The Student Government Association’s External Communications Manager and solo presidential candidate Sami Zoss serves on the university’s Fan Participation Committee. Right now, she only serves on the committee as a student, not as an SGA representa-

Michael.Geheren@coyotes.usd.edu

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE

Junior Keyen Lage celebrates a Coyote men’s score during the USDSDSU rivalry game Feb. 28.

tive.

She was appointed to the committee after SGA President Tyler Tordsen was unable to attend meet-

ings this semester because of a class conflict.

She has been on the SEE FANS, PAGE A6

The Student Counseling Center’s doors are always open to those who need help.

“I would say we are pretty steady right now,” said Lauren Schuur, coordinator of preventative services at USD’s Student Counseling Center.

“Our numbers are increasing on a weekly basis to numbers we haven’t had before.”

Schuur said students can take advantage of resources to deal with stress at the SCC located on-campus near the Arts & Sciences building in the Cook House. She said students can call or email the center to schedule an appointment.

The SCC is a resource for students dealing with anything from stress to crises.

Kelly Duncan is an associate professor in the counseling and psychology department at

the School of Education.

“Everybody goes through normal transitions in life that can be difficult, and it’s a sign of strength to reach out during those times and try to get help,” Duncan said.

Duncan said transitions such as coming to school, dealing with their first exams or getting ready to enter the real world to turn to the counseling services offered at USD. The Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State University released its annual report earlier this month.

The report showed the top reasons for students seeking mental health services in college. Anxiety, depression, relationship problems and stress were among the top reasons cited in the report.

The study also indicatSEE TALK, PAGE A7

COUNSELING SERVICES Student Counseling Center Cook House 605-577-5777 scc@usd.edu Regular hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Emergency/Crisis: 24/7 on-call counselor (dial 911)

Counseling & School Psychological Services Clinic Delzell Education Center Room 210 605-677-5250 cspsc@usd.edu Contact center for hours and appointments.

SOURCE: www.usd.edu

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CAMPUS & CITYDigest New fund available for students looking to travel abroad Dylan Huggins

Dylan.Huggins@coyotes.usd.edu

Thanks to Tom and Nancy Gallagher, the College of Arts & Sciences will be able to help students study abroad with a new $40,000 fund. The Gallaghers are the current co-chairs of the University of South Dakota Foundation’s Onward campaign. They decided to donate after learning fewer than five percent of USD students travel abroad.

“Travel itself can be such a great education,” Tom Gallagher said.

Matthew Moen, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, said students will have different options when choosing to study abroad, and the amount of money that will be received next year.

“They can study abroad either through an indepen-

dent study abroad program or through a faculty-led program,” Moen said.

According to the application for the new International Opportunity Fund, students will be considered based on financial need, academic standing, a required essay and their contributions to USD. “Students who have completed at least 30 credit hours and have a declared major in the College of Arts & Sciences (are eligible),” he said. “We anticipate giving awards that would range from about $500 to $2,500. And so we’ll weigh financial need and academic standing and contributions to the USD community when deciding who to award to.”

Anthony Mandela, global learning adviser at the National Student Exchange and the Center for Academic & Global

Engagement, said students can take steps before studying abroad.

“Typically, a student will start by attending a Global Learning 101 workshop where we answer questions, show students how to search our online portal and give instructions on how to apply,” he said.

Mandela also said students can earn credits by studying abroad.

“We work with all students to help identify courses they can take abroad and help show them how they get the appropriate approvals in order to make sure that the courses they are interested in abroad will transfer in as USD credits.”

Sophomore Ellie Murray, a strategic communications major, said she wasn’t aware

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ALLY KRUPINSKY I THE VOLANTE

Global learning adviser Anthony Mandela talks with a student during an advising appointment.

of the new fund, but finds it interesting.

“Sounds like the university

City of Vermillion Police Blotter

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assault incidents

Feb. 23 A caller reported that her mother fell inside her house and she was unable to get inside to help her.

An officer had to break the woman’s window to get inside.

The woman was uninjured but needed help getting up.

Feb. 24 A man reported his neighbor was harassing him. He told officers the neighbor was using x-rays to watch him in the shower and said he was burning garbage on the sidewalk. Officers could not see the neighbor that

Katrina.A.Vyborny@coyotes.usd.edu

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the man described, but he appeared healthy, was able to care for himself and was not threatening anyone.

woman near Prentis Park.

Officers responded, but were not able to locate the subjects or determine who they were.

Feb. 24 Officers were called to the scene of a heated argument between a mother and daughter.

The argument was over the mother’s desire to take two cats to the humane society for adoption. Officers were able to get both women to agree to a solution.

Feb. 24 Officers were informed that a man was making threatening phone calls to his ex-wife. The man had a conviction for harassment via phone calls.

Charges were referred to the State’s Attorney office.

Feb. 24 A caller reported that a man was assaulting a

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underage consumptions

Feb. 26 A woman asked officers to check on her friend, who she had not heard from in two weeks, stating that it was unusual.

What's trending on our website?

is really encouraging students to study abroad,” Murray said.

>> Feb. 23-28

hit and run accident

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DWI

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CRISTINA DREY I THE VOLANTE

1. USD couple takes leap of faith with engagement

2. The 10 types of

friends you’ll have in college

3. Education students weigh career options

4. High school

entrepreneur to open clothing store

Google Map with additional locations of incidents reported in Vermillion’s weekly police report.

volanteonline.com Officers found the woman and determined she was fine.

Feb. 28 Officers stopped a man walking on the sidewalk drinking from a beer can.

He was underage and cited for underage consumption.

Feb. 28 A man who fled a local bar after assaulting another patron was reported to officers.

Officers found the man, who was charged with assault and underage possession and consumption.

LIVE AT FIVE Watch for extended coverage on this year’s Strollers show.

TUNE IN AT NOON Listen for updates about all the news happening around campus.

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NEWSBriefly Coyote History

SAX APPEAL

1887 For 25 years, the University of South Dakota didn’t have a student government.

A Volante columnist suggested that the youngest graduating class of 1891 elect officers.

Students wanted class officers to bring classmates closer together, promote class spirit and be able to make change in the university.

CAMPUS Speed networking event coming to USD

ALLY KRUPINSKY I THE VOLANTE

Music students at the University of South Dakota performed a jazz concert in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts Colton Recital Hall March 2.

The Colton Jazz Ensemble is directed by Darin Wadley, pictured above, and the USD Jazz Ensemble is directed by C.J. Kocher.

There were several solos performed throughout the night. Ben Peyton, pictured left, played a saxophone solo during “Foxy,” the first song performed by the USD Jazz Ensemble.

The University of South Dakota Academic and Career Planning Center is hosting speed networking March 5 in the Muenster University Center Ballroom from 4 to 6 p.m.

The purpose of this event is for students to improve their networking skills, receive advice on resumes and possibly get hired.

Speed networking works similarly to speed dating.

Afterward, there will be a reception to further the networking between students and professionals in attendance.

Greek life sponsoring leadership program Greek Life is sponsoring a leadership program March 5 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 211 of the Muenster University Center. The leadership program will cover basic skills of handling conflict resolution.

STATE Native American rights advocated More than 100 protesters marched on the Rapid City-School Administration Center Feb. 27, as a reaction to injustices suffered

by Native Americans.

Chase Iron Eyes, attorney of Lakota People’s Law Project, led the march.

Iron Eyes said the recent fatal shooting of Allen Locke in December inspired the rally.

Many Native American community members believed the incident was improperly investigated.

Protesters claimed that too many Native Americans have been killed by Rapid City Police.

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Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority were selected as the replacement winners.

WORLD (continued)

Plaintiff attorney John Fitzgerald said the city is being negligent by not keeping up adequate sewer lines.

City attorneys have argued that the city is not liable for damages caused by problems within infrastructures.

Social media has been an essential propaganda tool for the terrorist organization, which sends out thousands of tweets per day.

NATION Missouri man goes on killing spree Joseph Aldridge went house-to-house killing relatives and neighbors before taking his own life Feb. 27 in Tyrone, Mo. Eight people, including Aldridge, in the town of 50 were killed. All of the victims lived within a few miles of each other.

The motive is still unclear, but two theories point to a longstanding family feud or the death of Aldridge’s mother, who died of natural causes.

Homeless man fatally shot by LAPD A homeless man suspected of robbery was fatally shot by three Los Angeles police officers March 1.

Officers, who had already tackled the man to the ground, tried to shock him with a taser, but were unsuccessful. The man was shot five times after allegedly reaching for an officer’s gun.

One witness recorded the incident on his cellphone. LA police said they will review the video during their investigation of the shooting. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office will also launch an investigation.

WORLD

tolo and other employees have received death threats from ISIS after the company shut down the terrorist organization’s accounts.

Costolo said ISIS operates outside of the speech that’s protected by Twitter’s terms of use. He said its accounts are shut down regularly.

The Volante Volume 139, Number 18 March 4, 2015 www.volanteonline.com

The winning Strollers performance from fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha was disqualified after Strollers president Claire Ledbetter cited objectionable dialogue and action in the show.

STATE (continued)

Twitter employees City of Spearfish sued receive death threats for sewer backups Twitter CEO Dick CosSpearfish residents are suing the city for sewer backups, which have caused stenches, flooded basements and lost possessions.

One Spearfish couple suffered more than $40,000 in damages to their home over the course of a few years.

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Mission statement The Volante covers issues relevant and interesting to USD students. Faculty, staff and community members are welcome readers, but the newspaper is written and presented for a diverse community of students from the students’ point of view. The paper should provide a variety of information, entertainment and educational opportunities for the readers. The Volante encourages everyone to write letters to the editor.

The Volante wishes to be viewed by students as respectable, objective, accurate, fair and trustworthy. If you have comments, concerns or questions, please contact The Volante at 677-5494.

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Russian opposition leader fatally shot Boris Nemtsov, a vocal Russian opposition leader, was shot Feb. 27.

The group responsible for his death is still unknown. Thousands of his supporters gathered to mourn his death March 1, the day Nemtsov was supposed to lead a rally in Moscow.

It is reported that Nemtsov was going to reveal information that would be damaging to Russian interests at the rally.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered three law enforcement agencies to investigate the shooting.

Nineteen ISIS prisoners freed ISIS released 19 Christian prisoners March 1. Ten others are also expected to be freed shortly.

ISIS has not stated a specific reason for the release, but some speculate that the group is hoping for more support from other Islamists. The terrorist group’s extremist tactics have resulted in a lack of support from al Qaeda, and other groups.

An ISIS Sharia judge, not a militant commander, made the decision. The judge declared them not guilty of violating Sharia law and ordered their release.

Edward Snowden to possibly return to US Anatoly Kucherena, Edward Snowden’s lawyer, said he plans to come back to the United States, as long as he gets a fair trial.

Snowden has received a guarantee from Attorney General Eric Holder that he will not face the death penalty, but he also wants a “legal and impartial trial,” in order to avoid being charged under the Espionage Act. Snowden has remained in Russia since June 2013, after leaking classified documents to media outlets.

Trent Opstedahl editor-in-chief Josie Flatgard managing editor Katrina Vyborny advertising manager Michael Geheren online & multimedia producer Braley Dodson online & multimedia editor Cristina Drey photo editor Nathan Ellenbecker news editor Kenna Thompson news presentation editor Ally Krupinsky & Phil Millar assistant news editors Katie McGuire opinion editor Katia Duszenko opinion presentation editor Malachi Petersen verve editor Megan Street verve presentation editor Natalie Keller assistant verve editor Emily Niebrugge sports editor Austin Ashlock sports presentation editor

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YOUR SAY Letter to the Editor

Diversity Center furthering goals of inclusion, helping promote leadership It’s been five months since I arrived at the University of South Dakota as the director of the Center for Diversity & Community.

We officially celebrated our opening Nov. 5, 2014, and since then have done a number of things that have been well received by students, faculty and staff. The Center exists to further the strategic goal of inclusive excellence through leadership development, multicultural talent development, education and advisement of students and student organizations. We are doing a lot of great things and our success can be spoken in terms of numbers.

We have actively engaged 13 racial/ethnic, underrepresented and other marginalized student groups. Of which, nine currently have offices in the Center.

We hosted three informal lunches with the director, student leaders and advisers.

We celebrated Native American Heritage Month with 30 people with Native American storytelling.

We co-hosted an international game night with the Center for Academic & Global Engagement and potluck with the Muslim Student Association, which was

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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VOLANTE EDITORIAL

Division I atmosphere relies on student, fan support base

attended by 40 people.

The history department approached the Office for Diversity and Center for Diversity & Community and we partnered to facilitate a dialogue with 45 people on “Race in America After Ferguson.”

The first Finals Chocolate Break brought 275 students to the Center for domestic and international chocolates, and some creative diversions like coloring and conversation.

In partnership with the Center for Academic and Global Engagement and Student Services, we hosted the MLK Celebration keynote speaker, Negin Farsad, along with a group of 11 student leaders.

We learned about the culture and people of Sri Lanka at the International Club’s Culture Shock with 25 students attending.

The Center for Diversity & Community will continue this track record of success offering impactful opportunities for student engagement and inclusiveness.

Come visit us and see how you can become involved in the Muenster University Center, Room 219.

— Lamont Sellers, director for the Center for Diversity & Community

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE

University of South Dakota fans rush the court after the USD men’s basketball team win against South Dakota State University Feb. 28.

If a student at the University of South Dakota were to look on any social media site on game day, the argument of whether or not our team won/lost because of the lack of fans could be seen among the stream of posts.

Although it isn’t a direct causation, the lack of students at games can have an effect on the players, but more importantly it’s an embarrassment to the university. USD has made considerable efforts to get students to games, and now it is time for the students to meet them halfway.

We are a Division I university, which means we compete with the best of the best. While we may only be in our third year of being D-I, our athletic standings are beginning to improve and a majority of students are not around to witness it.

This is a problem that is consistent throughout the whole year. We are all familiar with the whole student section leaving at halftime of the football games — this is upsetting to athletes, and anyone who has school spirit is also offended. We understand it

The Volante THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887

can be hard to keep school spirit up, but by leaving you’re bringing others’ spirit down as well.

Basketball, track, soccer and other sports are a whole different aspect to this problem. At these games, students simply do not go. One may argue that most basketball games are during the week, which means students either don’t “feel” like going or they are busy.

For those not “feeling” like attending the game, was binging-watching Netflix more exciting than making the most of your four years here and making memories that you’ll never get to experience again?

Look at the surrounding universities in our league, or at other D-I schools.

There is so much fan participation at the University of NebraskaLincoln, it is practically a holiday every weekend.

From tailgating in front of the field, to having surrounding bars and restaurants hold specials for the game, everyone is involved and no one is not “feeling” it. If one were to watch their games on

OVERHEARDS Here you’ll find the weirdest, funniest and stupidest things we’ve heard during the week. Context is for suckers.

EDITORIAL BOARD Trent Opstedahl, Editor-in-Chief

Malachi Petersen, Verve Content Editor

Josie Flatgard, Managing Editor

Emily Niebrugge, Sports Content Editor

Katie McGuire, Opinion Content Editor

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television, they would not see fans leaving at halftime, even if the Huskers were down for the count.

The same is true at South Dakota State University.

Frost Arena is pretty much full at every basketball game, and the sense of spirit at these events is enthralling and gives you a sense of immense pride.

Going to a basketball game in the DakotaDome is embarrassing from an attendance standpoint.

Think about those who are watching, like USD alumni.

Why would they want to come back to their alma mater and cheer on their team if current Coyote fans won’t even stay for the whole game?

Furthermore, why would they want to financially support the university when they don’t see students living the experience they remember when they were in school? What students don’t realize is that the action of leaving or not attending events at all directly contorts people’s perception of our university and student body.

The university has already tried to get students

to the games. Paw Points were created to reward students for attending events — the students even receive points for staying the entire length of a game.

What does this say about our fan participation, if our university has to bribe its students to come to the game?

There isn’t much more the university can do, besides have winning teams — but that it is an unfair expectation. Students must remember that we are still transforming our athletes and athletic programs to a Division-I standard, but this also includes transforming the mindset of everyone, including non-athletes.

The fact of the matter is, we must understand that there is such a thing as losing, but like the team, we must accept it and show our continued support to our athletes no matter what.

Although the athletes are the ones playing the game, it takes a joint effort of students and athletes to make the games exciting, and only when students go to the games will the events feel like a D-I atmosphere — win or lose.

In The Know & In The Dark IN THE KNOW: The women’s basketball team were crowned the regular season champions Feb. 28.

IN THE DARK: South Dakota State University, who somehow still think they’re better than us, are seeded second in the league. While they may be ranked pretty high, being ranked No. 1 is still better than being ranked No. 2.

IN THE KNOW: On Feb. 26, a photo of a dress that appears in a different color combination to different people went viral, instigating many arguments and a torrent of social media buzz.

IN THE DARK: Since the photo went viral, Photoshop has increased its sales as people attempt to prove that they have the “best” eyesight.

IN THE KNOW: The Campus Activities Board announced at the 92nd Strollers Show Feb. 28 that USD’s spring concert will be Hoodie Allen, a New York-based rapper.

IN THE DARK: The artist was first rumored to be Nickelback. Luckily for all Nickelback fans at USD this is not so, and they can continue to keep their fandom in the closet and their dignity in tact.

SUBMIT OVERHEARDS AND IN-THE-KNOWS AND IN-THE-DARKS ON TWITTER @VolanteOpinion and at volanteonline.com/overheard-submission

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Spring break can be used S.D. death penalty is ‘illogical’ to do good in community YOUR SAY Letter to the Editor

The people of South Dakota have killed three human beings in the last nine years. While an individual citizen may not have decided on this, the lawmakers that every citizen votes for just rejected a proposal that would repeal executions in South Dakota. These executions are nothing new to the state, and go back as far as when Vermillion was a part of the Dakota Territory.

There was one period when executions were outlawed (1915-1939), but that is no longer the case with a recently increasing trend nationally. While the majority of U.S. states retain the death penalty option under certain circumstances, there is no good way to justify statesponsored death. It is, in fact, much cheaper to keep someone in prison their whole life than to execute them due to legal and appeal fees as well as the cost of carrying out the execution.

More importantly

though, the entire line of thinking involved in carrying out statesponsored death is illogical and immoral. It is illogical in that we are told from a very young age that killing is bad, yet young people see the state carrying out the most egregious form of premeditated murder.

How is one supposed to grow up respecting the laws of the state when such a contradictory message is displayed?

Even if you have no moral objections to these acts, the other reasons given should be thoughtprovoking. The only possible reasons that could be considered for the continuation of executions are the prospect of revenge or that South Dakota is governed by a secret dictatorial regime that retains the punishment for its own ends.

In regards to the former, revenge and lack of constraint puts this state and country in a wonderful group of vacation destinations including

but not limited to Yemen, Sudan, North Korea, Chad and Somalia. I will also give mention to the argument that execution acts as a deterrent to murder, but I have yet to see a study showing any statistically significant correlation and therefore find this an invalid argument.

As the people who elect our politicians, it is our responsibility to elect lawmakers that understand these points.

This conversation can be and should be led by the flagship campus of South Dakota — USD. Directed campus discussion events, opinions voiced in school media outlets and directly talking to those involved in the decision making process should all be actions this university is taking part in. South Dakota executions began in Yankton almost 150 years ago; let’s end them just downriver in Vermillion.

— Joseph Madison, University of South Dakota student

Keystone pipeline vote a step in right direction NADIAH ABUSWAI is a senior majoring in media & journalism.

On Feb. 24, President Barack Obama vetoed a bill that would have approved the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Keystone XL pipeline was to be built by the TransCanada Corporation and was originally planned to run from Alberta’s tar-sand fields through Montana and South Dakota, and connect to the to the existing Keystone Pipeline System in Steele City, Neb. The pipeline is vehemently opposed by many environmentalists and activists who claim its presence would significantly contribute to environmental degradation and climate change.

Considering the details of the pipeline construction and what it would entail, opposition is the only

reasonable response.

Alberta is a province in Canada that is home to a multitude of diverse wildlife, and in recent decades, mining companies have destroyed much of the land and polluted its waters while extracting tar sands that contain heavy crude oil trapped in a mixture of sand and clay.

The extraction and refining process is a filthy one that is incredibly energy intensive and hardly economically feasible, and the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would cause immense and irrevocable damage to water, wildlife, human life and the climate.

The President’s decision to veto the bill is not the end of the Keystone debate, but it is a step in the right direction.

Claims that the pipeline construction would positively impact the economy are weak – the number of jobs created would mostly be comprised of temporary positions, and the number of permanent jobs in the wake of its

completion are insignificant.

A study from the Global Labor Institute at Cornell University concluded that the pipeline would ultimately add only 500 to 1,400 temporary construction jobs – TransCanada Corporation has even admitted that permanent jobs created by building the pipeline would only be in the hundreds.

This is a far cry from unsubstantiated claims that 20,000 jobs would suddenly spring up and boost the economy.

It is a fact that the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would contribute to a significant increase in carbon pollution and other forms of pollution that would utterly destroy the land and the health of the people and animals that inhabit it.

The Keystone XL pipeline is a backwards idea, proposed to line the pockets of the elite — it does not benefit a majority of people or the land, and it is an idea that must be rejected before more harm is done.

Relaxing can help students boost productivity by maximizing time KATIA DUSZENKO is a senior majoring in international studies and media & journalism.

Are you stressed?

Fatigued? Curled up under your desk in the fetal position without a clue as to how you’re going to make it through the rest of the semester?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or you generally feel like your productivity needs a boost, I’ve got a golden nugget of scientifically-backed advice for you — relax.

Close your book. Take a nap. Do some damage to your Netflix queue.

It might seem paradoxical and even counterintuitive, but recent studies have found that taking time away from your work can help

to increase your overall productivity. This sounds too good to be true — and can be dangerous to your productivity if you overdo it — but really it’s just making the most of your time.

When you feel like you don’t have enough hours in a day, it can be tempting to try to squeeze as much work as you can into every possible minute. But time is finite — you cannot allot yourself more hours in a day. You can, however, make the most of your hours by maximizing your energy, which can help increase your overall productivity.

By taking the time to do things that truly reenergize you — whether that entails getting coffee with friends, leaving Vermillion for a few hours or rolling yourself into a burrito of blankets and re-watching one of your favorite movies — you’re more likely to get more or even better work done when you actually hit the books.

Granted, it can be difficult to find a good

balance, and I’m not endorsing eschewing all of your responsibilities and devoting the entirety of your time to binging on all the things that make you feel good. Pro tip: if Netflix is gently suggesting you might be overdoing it by asking ‘Are you still there?,’ you might want to extract yourself from your blanket burrito and get a little work done.

But if you’re sitting in the library, motionlessly staring at your screen or a book, and you realize you haven’t had a coherent thought in fifteen minutes other than fantasizing about eating a grilled cheese in the comfort of your home, you should go get yourself that grilled cheese, get a good night’s sleep and try again in the morning.

And if anyone makes you feel lazy for doing so or questions your priorities, let them know you’re strategically maximizing your time and tell them to beat it.

MYRIAM MEDINA is a first-year majoring in economics and political science.

Spring break is nearly upon us, and many of us have already made plans.

I, for one, will be working and saving money for next semester’s textbooks.

Many of the people I have talked to also say they have similar agendas for their breaks.

Some say they are going on mission trips, while others say they will be working. Both are important, but it is also good to remember to have fun.

Thinking back to some of my weekends throughout the semester, I wasted a lot of precious time that could have been spent doing something more productive. In the time I spent playing video games or watching movies, I could have been reestablishing my school routine — which I am sad to admit has been completely

distorted since the beginning of the semester. I could have also been reevaluating my goals.

Therefore, I have promised myself that I will not allow the same to happen this spring break, and I urge my fellow Coyotes to do the same.

One thing that could be fun this spring break would be to take a trip to somewhere warmer than South Dakota. However, the trips that are fun can also be costly.

A trip to Mexico or California is not far from the top of my desired trip destinations. How couldn’t I be absolutely entranced by the idea of sitting by the beach watching the waves? The only thing keeping me from traveling hundreds of miles is the price tag that comes along with the trip.

Another fun way to spend spring break would be to go on a volunteer trip. These trips can be revitalizing and tend to be cheaper.

They also provide a way to give back to your community.

According to statistics from the Center for Academic and Global

Engagement, I am not alone in thinking that spring break would be better spent volunteering or traveling. Forty eight University of South Dakota students are going on four separate AWOL trips, 11 USD students are going on a service learning trip to Guatemala and 41 USD chamber singers are traveling in Europe this spring break.

If traveling seems a bit too much, don’t fear — volunteering in your local community is just as great as going somewhere else to volunteer. There are websites like the Helpline Center, which list new volunteer opportunities you can apply for or go to within your local area.

Whatever you do, don’t waste your time. You have a whole week to do something productive.

You could discover a new passion in that time.

For one reason or another, I haven’t quite been able to do all that I set out to do because of my hectic schedule.

However, this spring break, I know I’m going to be more productive, and I am going to start by volunteering in our local community.

AWOL TRIPS S p r i n g 2 0 1 5 Sauk Centre, Minn.

Disability care

Eagle Butte, S.D. Rural poverty and health issues

Salt Lake City, Utah Homelessness

Seattle, Wash.

Hunger and sustainable eating

Diversity initiatives help underscore the beauty, necessity of difference CHEYENNE ALEXIS is a first-year majoring in English and media & journalism.

Diversity in colleges — and everywhere, really — helps one appreciate how unalike everyone is.

Lamont Sellers, director of the Center for Diversity & Community at the University of South Dakota, said diversity is beginning to blossom in the college setting.

“For college students, for colleges in general, we’re living in a more and more diverse world every day,” he said. “Our country is becoming more diverse.”

Having diversity at a university creates an inclusion of different races, sexual orientations, religions — the list goes on. It also gives a greater number of people from all backgrounds a better opportunity to succeed, even when it may be evident there is a dominant race at some colleges.

“In order for our students to go out and make change and be able to work in the diverse workforce that we have, it’s important for them to begin to get these experiences while they’re in college because, well, frankly, when you take USD and in the scope of South Dakota, there’s not very much diversity here,” Sellers said.

Sellers said that in terms of diversity at USD, the campus is “getting there,”

and there are “efforts going on to getting there.”

Although there are efforts to foster diversity at USD, this is a process that is not progressing fast enough.

There’s more to diversity than just racial backgrounds. Sellers said the Center recognizes “a broad definition of diversity,” which includes race, age, sexual orientation and veteran status.

Of course, diversity cannot have a social impact without the assistance of a community. Experiencing different people and their backgrounds is an amazing opportunity in life.

Being around a broad range of cultures is a wonderful thing, as it teaches people about prejudices and how to avoid them, and it helps a community come together.

While diversity is important on a large inclusive scale, on another note, people

are people regardless of their background or demographics, and they should not be treated any differently because of this.

People are free to recognize and appreciate the myriad of people who are not the same as them physically, but they should not see a person’s race or sexuality as their only trait.

Having organizations such as the Center for Diversity & Community helps include people of many backgrounds to feel like they are part of something.

“Diversity is being invited to the dance, but inclusion is being asked to dance,” Sellers said.

The Center for Diversity & Community makes it a point to be inclusive about diversity, rather than just realizing that it exists. With time, diversity at USD will hopefully expand and help build a stronger college community.

KATIA DUSZENKO I THE VOLANTE

Sophomore Megan Bartels, left, senior Diana Valenzuela, middle, and first-year Falmata Gishe, right, take time out for play at the USD Center for Diversity & Community March 3.

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Hip-hop artist Hoodie Allen coming to USD Ally Krupinsky

Ally.Krupinsky@coyotes.usd.edu

The University of South Dakota Campus Activities Board will be hosting a Hoodie Allen concert March 19 in Aalfs Auditorium after a campus vote chose the hiphop artist over more than 10 other artists.

The concert was announced Feb. 28 during the 92nd annual Strollers performance.

Hoodie Allen was the topvoted artist in a student poll that CAB put out this summer. Other top contenders were Juicy J and Iggy Azalea, CAB adviser Doug Wagner said.

Senior Katty McNeal, president of CAB, said the organization finalized the concert only days before it was announced.

CAB will be selling a total of 1,100 tickets. More than 400 have been purchased so far.

The cost of the concert is roughly $42,000, not includ-

ing items requested from the hospitality portion of Hoodie’s writer, Wagner said. The concert takes up around half of CAB’s total budget, which is $86,000.

“Other names from the list were roughly the same amount of money, if not, in some cases, like Iggy Azalea, a little more,” Wagner said.

So far, McNeal said she’s only seen a positive reaction to the artist choice.

“I checked Twitter a bunch when we released the name to see what people’s feedback was and I didn’t see any negative comments on Hoodie — people just seemed overall excited,” McNeal said.

“And so that made me happy, because we’re doing it for the students.”

Sophomore Jack Schuver said he would have rather seen Juicy J come to USD. “Juicy J is a bigger artist,” Schuver said. “I feel as though he would have made more hype and would have produced a better quality of music to have for a college

RESULTS FROM CAB’S STUDENT POLL THIS SUMMER:

22.2 percent

Votes for Hoodie Allen

21.7 percent Votes for Juicy J

>> FANS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 committee for less than a month, but said she’s already seen the impact of what the funding has done.

“We have seen a huge increase in not just football and basketball, but track and field, swimming meets,” Zoss said.

Junior Ted McGee attends many of the university’s football and basketball games. McGee said he’s noticed the increase in competitions and t-shirt drives than in years past.

“As long as they continue to promote (fan fun), attendance will increase,” McGee said.

David Williams, senior associate athletics director, said this year has been a learning experience.

“We’re trying to learn based on what WILLIAMS we’re doing,” Williams said. “Some of it is brand new because we haven’t had any kind of budget for this before.”

The committee meets weekly and is made up of student representatives and university staff. They discuss attendance numbers from athletic events and brainstorm ways to increase attendance.

13 percent

Votes for Iggy Azalea

The committee, which is in its second year, will review the impact of the funds in early April. This year, the majority of the funds have gone toward football and basketball events for items such as t-shirts and food for fans, including during ZOSS games or tailgating.

“We try to not only reward the students that come, but encourage other students to come,” Zoss said.

Although Zoss is not on the committee as a representative of SGA, the issue of increasing fan participation and keeping students past halftime at football games, were common discussion points for the organization last semester.

But Zoss said the problem of retention isn’t unique to USD. “We aren’t the only school with this problem,” Zoss said. “It’s something we need to look at a national level and see who is able to keep students past halftime.”

She credits new bleachers in the student section and increased tailgating to helping students engage in games.

When it comes to per-

atmosphere concert.”

Despite that, Schuver said he will likely end up attending the concert.

Sophomore Casey Matthiesen was one student who voted for Hoodie Allen this summer.

“When I saw that Hoodie could potentially come to campus, I was stoked,” Matthiesen said. “His hit song ‘No Interruption’ is a handsdown favorite of mine, and I wanted to make sure that he would be coming to Vermillion.”

Matthiesen was also one of the many students who got replies on their tweets from Hoodie Allen’s official account.

“I think I might have cried a few real tears, of joy,” Matthiesen said. “I know that I am not the only student on this campus that feels that way, so I know the concert is going to be a hit.”

This year’s concert will not be held in the DakotaDome because there were no dates it was available, McNeal said.

“I think Aalfs is a terrible place to have the concerts,” Schuver said. “Especially when you are bringing in artists like Hoodie.”

Matthiesen said she was initially skeptical of the fact that the concert wouldn’t be held in the Dome, because student interest is so high.

“I have faith that CAB

formance, Zoss said she’s seen fan participation have a large impact.

“People don’t understand that the athletes love it when we’re out there,” Zoss said. “We are the difference between a win and a loss in a close basketball game. It’s crazy to think how big of an impact a crowd makes.”

Williams said the initiative is less about enhancing athletic performance and more about creating a Division I atmosphere and a better experience for students.

“The fan participation isn’t about athletics winning,” Williams said. “It’s about making sure the fans and the student fans, in particular, have a good time when they’re at the game.”

While the majority of the proposed GAF funds are aimed at athletics, Williams said many students are already invested in the university’s teams.

“Our feedback is that a significant amount of students attend athletic events and want to have fun at athletic events,” Williams said. “We aren’t going to touch every single student on campus, but we do touch a large percentage of those students.”

He said when people typically think of D-I athletics, they think of the student fans.

“The students are the ones who create the excitement at the games,” Williams said.

SUBMITTED PHOTO I THE VOLANTE

Hip-hop artist Hoodie Allen will be performing at USD March 19 in Aalfs Auditorium. This is his first show in South Dakota.

chose Aalfs for good reason, and I look forward to the concert,” Matthiesen said.

About the artist Hoodie is a 26-year-old hip-hop recording artist,

but started his career out of college as a Google account executive. He quit after only four months to pursue his true dream — making music.

He’s also made it a point to communicate directly with

his fans, especially those who have purchased his album.

He’s still making calls to keep a promise he made in 2012 — to personally thank every person that bought his debut album, “All American.”

SGA reserve fund of $50K expected to continue growth Phillip Millar

Phillip.Millar@coyotes.usd.edu

The University of South Dakota Student Government Association will have more than $282,000 to allocate for the 2016 fiscal year, pending the approval of the General Activity Fee increase.

This money goes to student organizations, club sports, legal aid, SGA legislative affairs and the SGA general fund.

However, not all of the money is being used.

While large organizations, such as SERVE, Campus Activities Board, Dakotathon, Dakota Days and Tiospaye, receive $173,000 of this money, unspent money goes toward a reserve in the SGA general fund, SGA president Tyler Tordsen said. The current balance of the reserve fund is between $50,000 and $60,000.

External Communications Manager Sami Zoss said the reserve fund is basically unspent money.

“The reserve funds are funds from the previous years that were not used in the fiscal year in which it was allocated,” she said.

That money has a specific purpose, Tordsen said.

“Whatever those student orgs don’t spend, that comes back to our general account, and then that’s where we have our reserve that builds up,” Tordsen said. “That’s where we would pay to bring in the

SUBMITTED PHOTO I THE VOLANTE

Stand-Off at Hwy #37, a USD theater production, was funded in part by SGA’s reserve fund.

Native Voices at the Autry.

That’s where we would make a donation to Legacy, the statue. That’s where we made the $20,000 donation to develop the student org room on campus.”

Native Voices at the Autry collaborated with the USD theatre department this year to bring in the play Stand-Off at Hwy #37.

First-year Pedro Martinez attended Stand-Off at Hwy #37. Martinez, who grew up in Puerto Rico, appreciated how the play depicted the struggle of being a minority in the United States.

“It had some basic points about how Native Americans

are discriminated and how they feel oppressed by the government of the United States,” he said.

Martinez said he appreciated how the play made minorities at USD feel like they belong. The reserve fund also adds beauty to the campus — the Legacy statue became an icon after it was installed a few years ago.

The development of the student organization room was assisted by the reserve fund and adds a place to meet for all student organizations.

Tordsen plays a large role in coming up with the budget.

“A lot of it is based on past SGA leadership,” Tordsen said.

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Communication club looks to study social campus interactions Ally Krupinsky

Ally.Krupinsky@coyotes.usd.edu

Instead of just a final paper or project, one University of South Dakota class has something different in mind.

The advanced organizational communication class chose to create its own department’s student organization — the Communication Club.

“I like to do things in class. I think the hands-on experience is such a wonderful teacher, so much better than I would be just lecturing about theories or other concepts or issues or topics in organizational communication,” Nicole Ackman, organizational communication’s class instructor, said.

“Really going through the process is so beneficial.”

Ackman has taught the class twice, but this is the first time she has left the projects up to the students.

The class must create the organization and host an event, and each student must write an 8-10 page paper on the experience, Ackman said.

“Everybody was dreaming really big and that’s so wonderful to see, it was inspiring,” Ackman said. “And that inspiration is still there, but they’ve realized that ‘OK, we’ve got to fulfill the requirements for this assignment.’ So instead of being so broad and so big they’ve had to scale back a little bit.”

The club is now in the process of writing its constitution, and hopes to become funding eligible with the Student Government Association. The club is not just going to be around for this semester — the students want it to have a long life on campus.

>>TALK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 ed the average student who sought mental health services attended 4.75 sessions.

More than one option Duncan is also the director of the Counseling and School Psychological Services Clinic on-campus. She says their clinic is the same type of experience students would get at the SCC, just with students doing the counseling.

The clinic often handles cases of academic probation to get students back on track toward academic success.

“We have a really close relationship with academic advising, so we see a lot of students who are on academic probation,” Duncan said.

Students who work in the clinic are often training to be school counselors. They provide counseling services to the school and community free of

Jace Holzer, a transfer student pursuing a communication studies major and history minor, is the club’s president.

He said this semester’s priorities are structure, recruitment and awareness.

“We do need to recruit, but we’ve already had people express interest, and the biggest thing that’s going to be different from our organization from others is that we will be multicultural,” Holzer said.

“So we want to take in everyone’s ideas.”

In the meantime, they’ve partnered with Re-member, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, for a food drive.

During Stand-Off at Hwy #37, a USD theatre production performed earlier this month, members of the club raised a total of $220 by collecting donations outside of the theatre’s door.

Senior Elijah Bonde, a communication studies major and political science minor, is a member of the club. He acted as a liaison between the newly-founded club and the theatre department for the fundraiser.

“For the majority of the semester, if not the whole semester, we’ll work with the food drive or Re-member and at the same time sort of build the foundation of the communication club,” Bonde said.

Junior Shannon Billie, a communication studies major, is a current club member and plans to apply for vice president next year.

“So far, it’s been a great experience, just because we’ve

charge under instructor supervision. Students who are in crisis, however, are best served by the SCC. The SCC is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Schuur said students in crisis can walk in anytime during business hours. Last semester the SCC averaged three to four walk-ins each week.

After hours, students in crisis — or their friends — can contact the University Police Department, who will coordinate with the on-call counselor.

If the student is on-campus, the counselor can meet them wherever they are. If they are off-campus, students often come on-campus for services.

Schuur said a strong relationship with University Housing has helped them deal with crises. “(Community Advisers) go through a lot of training, and we are a part of quite a bit of it,” Schuur said. “I provide them the suicide prevention class.

We talk about just the stresses

NATHAN ELLENBECKER I THE VOLANTE

The university’s marketing department is advertising the new website with posters across campus.

>>WEBSITE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1

ALLY KRUPINSKY I THE VOLANTE

Communication club members senior Elijah Bonde, senior Debbie Mika and junior Shannon Billie collect donations at the entrance of Stand-Off at Hwy #37, a USD theater production.

all been able to express our opinions about how we want the communication club to start, or keep going, and no one’s opinions have been put down in a negative way,” Billie said.

Holzer’s vision is that in two years’ time, the Communication Club will be one of the biggest and most influential student organizations on campus. He would also eventually like to include other universities in their activities.

Next year, Holzer said the Communication Club will recreate case studies on communication, psychology, business and biology around USD’s campus, and document the results of how people interact on campus.

Although Holzer will be the club’s president again next year, he said he wants the ideas to come from other members.

“We’re going to need people with those ideas to explain those ideas and be passionate about their ideas because I am passionate about this,” Holzer said. “We’re going to be like no other organization.”

The Communication Club is hoping for as many different majors and backgrounds as possible to join the club in order for a variety of opinions, Holzer said.

“We’re not limiting ourselves to our department,” Billie said. “Obviously we don’t all communicate the same way.”

writes new press releases and has seen the new design.

“I think it’s great. I think it’s a lot more user friendly than our current website, and it’s a lot more modern looking,” Pierce said.

The new website should also improve USD’s recruiting ability, Haraldson said.

“It’s less of an old-fashioned phone book about USD, and it’s more of a marketing tool,” Haraldson said. “We’re really putting prospective students first.”

Part of attracting new students will be showing what student life at USD is like “We do need a selection of things that show USD students in their real life, because that’s really what a high school student would want to see,” Haraldson said.

Junior Peter Chapman is another student intern who has been working on shooting and editing video for the website.

One of the projects Chapman is working on is a video showing USD’s campus.

“There’s a ‘Welcome to USD’ video that just quickly shows you the campus in general. It’s pretty short, but it captures the

campus,” he said.

The student portal that is used for class materials, grades and discussions will not be changing.

“We got that done first, because we also wanted that to be responsive, so now you can do anything on the portal from your phone,” Haraldson said, “The portal is already done, and now we’re turning our attention to the public website.”

Haraldson said some elements of the portal will be brought to the main, public website.

“In the past, anything dealing with current students was in the portal and behind the password, and we’re pulling all of that out and we’re putting it on public display,” she said.

Haraldson hopes USD’s new website will stay modern and save the department from more work in the future.

“We wanted to build something that would last years into the future and keep up with the times. So it isn’t just building it one time and quitting,” she said. “We tried to pick software that we thought would have new advances all the time.”

Follow reporter Phillip Millar on Twitter @PhilMill15

offense.

Schuur also goes across campus to different classes and organizations to teach suicide prevention and alcohol and drug use prevention courses.

and anxiety of college, alcohol and drug problems.”

They are trained during the summer and again during win-

ter break. She said CAs often walk students over to the SCC during a crisis to find support.

The SCC is also a level-one

outpatient alcohol and drug center. Students often complete courses or services after a DUI or other alcohol-related

Always there to help Once the SCC fills up, overflow is often sent to the clinic.

While the SCC is only for students registered at USD, the clinic is for the entire community.

“There is kind of a shortage of counseling services in this area,” Duncan said. “Plus, the counseling services are free.”

Duncan and Schuur both said getting services from the SCC or clinic is a great deal in college because there is no cost.

“It’s not something that you’re going to find for free once you’re done with college,” Schuur said.

Duncan estimates the marketplace for counseling services average around $120 per session outside USD.

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First-year exceeds expectations in Lakota class USD to offer unique Native American language studies degree next fall, pending SDBOR approval Trent Opstedahl

Trent.Opstedahl@coyotes.usd.edu

Colton Sierra hopes to one day start his own business. But if that doesn’t work out the way he’s imagined, he’s counting on his culture to construct a lifelong, fulfilling career.

Sierra, a first-year business major with an undecided specialization, is enrolled in the Lakota 102 class taught by Armik Mirzayan at the University of South Dakota. He is among about eight other students learning how to speak the language, which is becoming less common.

“As I found myself, I picked up this desire and need to learn the language,” Sierra said. “If I don’t like the business stuff or don’t have enough money to start my own business, I

can get certified to teach (Lakota).”

Sierra, a member of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in western South Dakota, decided to take Lakota language courses at USD because he was interested in learning more about his Oglala Lakota heritage and was inspired by his high school language instructors to continue learning Lakota. But when enrolling in the language course for the spring semester, Sierra surprised Mirzayan and a few officials from the advising office.

“When I talked to him it was pretty obvious (he knew the language),” Mirzayan said. “We don’t have placement exams, and usually it’s all oral. When you talk with someone, you get an idea of where you are. He

TRENT OPSTEDAHL I THE VOLANTE

Professor Armik Mirzayan will teach Lakota 201 next fall.

could have almost skipped the first year and gone onto the second year.”

Sierra is the first student at USD to advanceplace straight into Lakota 102. Sierra said he had not anticipated skipping 101 and jumping right into 102, but is excited that he is able to learn the language and push himself.

Mirzayan said most of the students who come into his Lakota language classes have very little exposure to the language, and those that do have little skill set with the language.

“For most of the students, the only exposure they’ve had is from 101,” he said. “We do have students that have sometimes seen the language and heard it, but for others it’s their first time.”

Mirzayan said a common struggle for English speakers learning the Lakota language is pronunciation. He said a main focus at the beginning of his 101 class is making sure students have a basic understanding of Lakota phonetics and pronunciation.

“Every language has its difficulties, so there’s no such thing as an easy language,” Mirzayan said.

In his 102 class, Mirzayan said he focusses a lot on things like speaking, role play and word puzzles to better engage his students. Because of Sierra’s advanced skill level, Mirzayan said Sierra is helping push his classmates to their limits.

“He’s helped me establish a link with other students. They have another model to listen to, not just me,” Mirzayan said. “His pronunciation is almost as good as a native speaker.

Even though he may not know the vocabulary and

TRENT OPSTEDAHL I THE VOLANTE

First-year student Colton Sierra and professor Armik Mirzayan place sheets of paper with Lakota words symbolizing objects in the Native American Cultural Center March 2.

grammar, he knows the basics and that’s a really good model for the other students.”

Expanding the program Laura Vidler, chair of the modern languages and linguistics department, is hoping adding new major and minor programs in Lakota will help to ignite more interest.

A bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies with a specialization in the Lakota language is set to become available next fall, pending the approval of the South Dakota Board of Regents. The degree will be a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort between the language, anthropology and history departments, Vidler said.

“We’re hoping the new program will help to generate interest so we can justify enrollment in more advanced (Lakota) classes,” she said. “It’s incredibly important to not only

the heritage and history of South Dakota, but also for the future of South Dakota.”

The new Native American Studies program is something Sierra is hoping to pursue as a minor.

“It’d be really fun,” he said. “I’d probably start teaching at home.”

Mirzayan said the new program may serve as a way to not only educate people more about Native American culture and Lakota language, but convey the message that there is still a strong interest among people wanting to preserve the history and carry it out.

“There’s this perspective from the outside that there’s not too many speakers, and there aren’t usually,” Mirzayan said. “But the language is not dead, it’s not an artifact — there are people who speak the language.”

Sierra plans to carry out this work and spread knowledge about the Lako-

ta language back home. He said learning the Lakota language has helped him better connect with his heritage, and we wants to evoke that same feeling in others.

“I want to be the push to getting my whole people started with learning the language and back towards having the whole Pine Ridge Reservation bilingual, and then eventually trilingual. That’s my big end goal,” Sierra said.

Follow reporter Trent Opstedahl on Twitter @TrentOp

ONLINE ONLY VIDEO

Learn some Lakota words directly from Armik Mirzayan on our website.

volante online. com

GAF, SGA vote opens with tech problems Nathan Ellenbecker

Nathan.Ellenbecker@coyotes.usd.edu

Polls opened Tuesday for the election of the Student Government Association’s new senator positions, lone executive candidates and the General Activity Fee increase. Students, however, experienced difficulties trying to vote.

The Dean of Students’ office sent an email out Tuesday around 9:30 a.m. telling students the server was experiencing technical difficulties. Voting is open to students until 8 p.m. today.

The GAF increase has generated the most interest of all voting options.

Signs supporting the GAF increase of $4.50 per credit hour over the course of the next three school years have faced

opposition across campus. SGA hosted a forum in the Muenster University Center’s pit lounge to address student concerns and present factual information on the increase. The increase would help generate money for many areas of campus life, and much of the revenue would go toward staff expansion for the USD athletic department.

Also on the ballot are the lone candidates for SGA President and Vice President. Junior Sami Zoss and her running mate sophomore Michael Buchanan will be elected as long as a simple majority of voters choose ‘yes’ in a yesno vote. If the candidates fail to receive a simple majority, a new campaign will start and occur over a month.

OUTANDABOUT

The Volante asked students about the GAF increase.

I voted no, because I have a brother that goes here too. And so, us two together pay a lot of money to the University and an increase is not easy on any of my family.

Anna Hildebrand Junior

Josh Rogers Senior

I do support the GAF increase because we need to just help support our student organizations and clubs here on campus.

Jordan Hins Junior

I do support the GAF increase mainly because I feel like going to college is more about education.

It’s also about the extracurriculars you do and the leadership experiences.

Yeah, I support it because I like the things that the money goes to, like the events we get to have because of it.

Amanda Covert First-year

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Artists display work in gallery

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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Students spend spring break showcasing talents globally

Britney Thorns

Britney.Thorns@coyotes.usd.edu

Student art lines the walls of the John A. Day Gallery inside the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts.

The Wilber Stilwell Juried show is hosted every year in this gallery.

Michelle St.Vrain, interim director of the University of South Dakota Art Galleries, said the show typically runs for about a month. “(How art is selected) depends — for the Stilwell show we had an outside juror pick,” St. Vrain said.

“For other shows sometimes finding an artist that we really want to have and then also finding a great pair or artists, and sometimes there are themes for the shows — like we might have a show that focuses on art alumni from previous years — it depends on the concept of a show.”

Most shows, however, are made possible by student-driven efforts. “(All of the artists) are students, and all of the works have been made within the last year,” St.Vrain said. “But (the artists) don’t have to be art students, just students who have taken an art class at the University of South Dakota.”

Junior art student Rayna Hernandez has had her art in the show for two years now.

“It feels really nice (to have my work displayed) because it looks so different in a clean space,” Hernandez said.

Graduate student Klaire Pearson has also had her art in the Stillwell show for two years and has been painting since she was young.

“It’s very exciting (to have my work displayed), because I spend SEE ARTS, PAGE B3

New album embodies artist’s love BRANDON PHROMMANY is a junior majoring in media & journalism.

Father John Misty’s latest record “I Love You, Honeybear” is a new breed of regretful, lesson-learned, apologetic songs that let the past release you and make you appreciate what you have.

It’s a concept record about Josh Tillman — Father John Misty’s alter ego, and his relationship with his wife, Emma.

The record is 44 minutes long and was released Feb. 10. It’s filled with acousticfolk, soft-dance melodies that make you visualize a theatrical romance.

The first track, “I Love You, Honeybear,”draws a picture of his perpetual love for his wife. The lyrics describe vivid sexual acts that are strikingly vivid as you listen to the melody.

Each song has a noticeably different mood, while most of the songs on this record deal with his wife, but each one describes a monumental moment. The second track “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins),” describes the time Father John Misty and SEE LOVE, PAGE B3

MALACHI PETERSEN I THE VOLANTE

Senior Steve Schaeffer practices for the musical “Seussical” March 2 in the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts. Schaeffer and other theater students will be traveling to New York City during spring break to attend workshops and perform in front of talent scouts.

Natalie Keller

Natalie.Keller@coyotes.usd.edu

Many University of South Dakota students will be traveling during spring break, both in and out of the country.

Senior vocal performance major Hannah Lambertz will be traveling to Europe with 38 other students from Chamber Singers, as well as with parents and other students who are part of the companion tour.

They will have around eight performances in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

“We’re singing in a lot of great big cathedrals, just beautiful spaces,” Lambertz said. “It’s the first year I get

any resemblance of a spring break.”

The Chamber Singers normally travel around the United States for spring break, having as many as 20 performances throughout the week.

“We’re singing these huge, long programs, but it’s a lot of fun — it’s just work, too,” Lambertz said.

While in Europe, they will have time to relax and enjoy what the countries have to offer, and hopefully drink some German beer, Lambertz said.

She said she is nervous about the group staying healthy for their performances since singing is dependent on one’s health. But putting aside her worries, Lambertz said she is also excited

for the trip.

“The Chamber Singers is like a really big family,” Lambertz said. “To sing this music correctly, do it justice, everybody has to be a part of it and everybody has to feel it so it’s a very connected group because we all love what we do.”

Other students will also be traveling for spring break through USDsponsored programs, but not across the ocean.

Senior Steven Schaeffer is one of seven senior theater students who will be traveling to New York.

“We perform for a larger venue for industry professionals and then they

give us their honest critiques,” Schaeffer said. “There’s also agents there who if they are looking for certain things they might give you work.”

The students will have three minutes to show the professionals in New York what they have to offer, Schaeffer said.

“I’m always nervous to make sure that my best foot is indeed forward, that everything is the best I could possibly present it,” Schaeffer said.

The students will also get to participate in workshops with professionals from the film industry and Broadway, SEE TRIP, PAGE B3

National Music Museum selected as host site for 2016 Shakespeare exhibit Malachi Petersen

Malachi.Petersen@coyotes.usd.edu

William Shakespeare once wrote “If music be the food of love, play on.” In 2016, these words — along with 36 of his plays — will be on display in the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota.

The NMM announced Feb. 26 it had been selected by the Folger Shakespeare Library as South Dakota’s host site for the 2016 tour of “First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare” — a traveling national exhibit of Shakespeare’s first folio. The exhibit is traveling to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Darlene Farabee, an associate professor and chair of the English department at USD, said the folio is a book dating back to 1623 that contains many plays that would have been lost to history had they not been collected.

“After Shakespeare died, his friends and fellow actors... got together and put together a massive collection of Shakespeare plays,” Farabee said.

Farabee said in its own time the folio, one of 233 known to still exist, was worth around $200. Now it’s worth millions.

Farabee, who is also the project director of the effort to get the folio to USD, said she had to fill out multiple application forms and organize meetings with multiple organizations including the NMM, the College of Arts & Sciences and the Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library to eventually get selected to host the folio.

“They posted the notice that they were going to do this in June of 2014 and then we had a planing and interest meeting in July of 2014,” Farabee said.

“I called this big meeting and asked a whole bunch of people to show up and got a whole bunch of ideas and a whole bunch of people who said they were

SUBMITTED PHOTO I THE VOLANTE

The Shakespeare First Folio is a 392-year-old book of plays which will be on display for a month at the National Music Museum in 2016.

interested.”

One of the people who attended the meeting was Jayna Fitzsimmons, a Ph.D. student in the English department.

Fitzsimmons said in an email that her part in the project involved writing supportive material for the Bare Bodkins Theatre company based in Sioux Falls and brainstorming ways the company

could be involved in the exhibit.

“It was an amazing gathering — many brilliant, passionate people in the same room made for some great conversation and sharing of ideas,” Fitzsimmons said.

Cleveland Johnson, director of the NMM, said the museum was the ideal choice to host the 392-year-old artifact.

“We had the facility that met the security and climate requirements of the tour,” Johnson said. “There are very strict parameters that have to be maintained for the safety of the object.”

The temperature in the area in which

SEE FOLIO, PAGE B3

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CampusEvents

PEOPLE OF THE PACK WORKING HARD TO GET AHEAD IN THE FIELD

Spanish Conversation Table Location: Muenster University Center

7 p.m.

A Shot of Reality (Paw Points) Location: Muenster University Center Ballroom

Leadership Program: Conflict Management Location: Muenster University Center, Room 101

6 p.m.

Dodgeball tournament Location: Wellness Center

All day

Free Popcorn Friday Location: Muenster University Center

6:30 p.m.

USD Orchestra Festival Concert Location: Wayne S. Knutson Theatre

6 p.m.

Lakota Language Table Location: Native American Cultural Center

NATALIE KELLER I THE VOLANTE

to know a lot of people.

future goals?

Andy Schultz is a senior studying strategic communication.

NK: Why did you decide to come here?

AS: I guess I’d like to get a career in the advertising field. That would be an immediate goal.

NK: What do you like about USD? AS: The atmosphere, the small town feeling. Everybody’s friendly and it’s easy

12 p.m.

Rotary Luncheon Location: Al Neuharth Media Center

3 p.m.

‘Yote Floats (Paw Points) Location: Muenster University Center, Pit Lounge

5 p.m.

Global Learning 101 Location: I.D. Weeks Library, Room 132C

12 p.m.

Global Learning 101 Location: I.D. Weeks Library, Room 132C

All day

Free Popcorn Friday Location: Muenster University Center

3:30 p.m.

The Interactive Bible Location: I.D. Weeks Library, Room 205

DoBoy (Paw Points) Location: Muenster University Center

2 p.m.

Sandy Brooke, painter and author Location: Fine Arts, Room 172

NK: What is one of your

NK: Do you have any plans for spring break?

AS: I’m taking the GRE. That’s probably about it. Work and

ONLINE ONLY Photo Gallery with additional People of the Pack photos taken over the course of the year.

volante online. com

EntertainmentOverview CAMPUS

STATE (continued)

NATION (continued)

WORLD

Rawlins Piano Trio leads performance

its “No Fixed Address” tour.

The Pretty Reckless also performed.

Renaissance artwork returned to Italy

Rawlins Piano Trio performed at the Colton Recital Hall in Warren M. Lee Center Feb. 28. The trio performed as part of the College Music Society Great Plains Chapter Conference. The trio performed three pieces, one of which was written by Nolan Stolz of the University of South Dakota. The piece was titled “Bullfrog.”

Tours of Wind Cave hosted in Hot Springs

Trek.” He also directed, wrote and photographed during his career. Many are mourning his death, including President Obama, who said, “I loved Spock.” Nimroy’s funeral was held March 1 in Los Angeles.

Hot Springs, S.D., hosted the Garden of Eden Cave Tour March 1. The tour took place in Wind Cave National Park. Attendees were able to view caves along the quarter of a mile trail.

STATE

NATION

Nickelback headlines show in Sioux Falls

Leonard Nimoy, ‘Star Trek’ actor, dies at 83

Nickelback came to Sioux Falls March 3. The band performed at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center for

Actor Leonard Nimoy passed away Feb. 27 at the age of 83. He is best known for his role as Spock in “Star

Lupita Nyong’o’s dress found after theft A $150,000 dress belonging to Lupita Nyong’o was found Feb. 27 after being stolen from the London West Hollywood Hotel. The dress, with 6,000 pearls sewn on it, was worn by Nyong’o to the 87th Academy Awards.

The supposed thief returned the dress after deciding the pearls were fake. This claim is unconfirmed, and police are still investigating who stole the dress.

Italy has seen the return of artwork that has been missing for decades. A bronze statuette of Hercules and a painting by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo were both found in New York. Italy, along with other countries, has began searching for artwork that has been stolen.

Iraq reopens national museum after war Iraq has reopened its national history museum after 12 years. The museum was looted and closed in the chaos after Saddam Hussein was overthrown. The museum houses artifacts dating back more than 7,000 years.

12 reactions to this year’s Strollers show 1. The beginning of the show.

Here we go. If this is anything like last year, it should be interesting.

12 p.m.

AS: It was cost-effective.

I had a couple friends that went here, but mostly for the money. It was one of the better schools for the money.

take the GRE. Unfortunately, that’s all I have planned.

2. The first South Dakota State University joke.

Go ‘Yotes! I hope there’s SDSU grads in the audience. They’re going to need some ice for that

burn!

3. The 20th SDSU joke.

5. The third rendition of Uptown Funk.

I don’t care, play it 20 more times.

Another incest joke. How original. This is my jam!

I think this horse 6. The died about 10 jokes back. choreography for

4. The first rendition of Uptown Funk.

each song.

is amazing!

7. The Dora the Explorer/Illegal immigration joke.

That was slightly offensive.

So much for “inclusive excellence.”

Did I just see some woman get ONLINE ONLY Full Verve list flipped into the with the last five things that Verve Malachi Petersen took Yessssss. I freaking air? How did they blogger away from watching this learn to dance like year’s show. love this song. that? The dancing volante online. com

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Plague on the Prairie SUBMITTED PHOTO I THE VOLANTE

Erica Mize, a Ph.D student at the University of South Dakota, uses a device to swab a prairie dog tunnel for sylvatic plague in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Mize was recently awarded the Wildlife Student of the Year award.

USD researchers work to save native wildlife Malachi Petersen

Malachi.Petersen@coyotes.usd.edu

One team of University of South Dakota researchers is actively searching for a deadly plague on the prairies of South Dakota.

Hugh Britten, a biology professor, and Erica Mize, a Ph.D. biology student, have been studying sylvatic plague, a disease that is decimating the prairie dog population of the state.

“It’s the wildlife form of bubonic plague,” Britten said.

“We have seen outbreaks of plague in prairie dog colonies in Montana starting in the late 1980s.”

Britten said the plague, which is carried by the flea Oropsylla hirsuta, is thought to have first come to the United States

>> ARTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 all this time on my paintings and I never grew out of, ‘Hey look at this thing I made’ phase.

It’s very rewarding to get recognition,” Pearson said.

Both students have art currently displayed in the John A. Day Gallery.

Hernandez has a painting called “Between a Blanket and a Dream.”

“I base most of my work off of my cultural identity. I’m Native American and Mexican. I don’t really explore the Mexican part of me, at least not yet. The quilt I put in my piece is my baby blanket,” Hernandez said.

Pearson has four pieces displayed in the gallery this year — “She Hurled the Frog;” “Feminine Attempt #1 (Dishes);” “Angela Maintains a Happy Face;” and “Feminine Attempt #2 (Sweeping).”

“The three housewife paint-

>> TRIP

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 as well as do some sightseeing.

Schaeffer said he is excited to meet people and get into New York and see sights like Rockefeller Center and Times Square.

“We’re going so that we can see the city and watch a few

in the 1910s via rats on ships harbored in San Francisco. The disease then spread eastward until it suddenly stopped, virtually on the state line of South Dakota.

The respite from the plague didn’t last long however.

“In 2004 it started to be suspected on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and after that it was clear that we had sylvatic plague killing our prairie dog colonies,” Britten said.

Shaun Grassel, a wildlife biologist for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, has helped Britten and Mize with their research. He said the plague has killed about 165,000 prairie dogs since 2011.

“Our landscape has changed pretty dramatically in the last three years,” Grassel said.

Mize said the plague, which is mostly confined to various animal species including the black-tailed prairie dog, can sometimes be transmitted to humans.

“Every year there’s somewhere between one and ten cases of bubonic plague in humans,” Mize said. “It’s thought that most of those cases originated from prairie dog colonies.”

Mize said human deaths from bubonic plague in the U.S. are rare and the disease is easily treatable.

“There’s been no human cases of bubonic plague in humans here in South Dakota, so it would be easy for a doctor to miss,” Mize said.

Mize and Britten said their

work focuses mostly on finding out how the plague hops from one prairie dog colony to another in hopes of finding a way to stop the disease and preserve the species in the state.

To do this the researchers travel to prairie dog colonies and take samples from burrows to test for the plague.

Britten said the black-tailed prairie dogs function as a “keystone species.”

“Black-tailed prairie dogs make it possible for a pretty wide variety of plants and animals, including things like tiger salamanders, to exist on the prairie,” Britten said.

One of the many species that exists due to the black-tailed prairie dog is the black-footed ferret, a species once thought

to be extinct. The ferrets feed on prairie dogs and are also susceptible to the plague.

Mize and Britten said they believe the ferrets may be spreading the disease to the prairie dog colonies.

“Prairie dogs don’t appear to be the most likely culprit, based on population genetic methods, to be spreading these fleas around the landscape,” Mize said. “Ferrets seem like a great choice for this because they do have large home ranges compared to prairie dogs.”

Mize said the team’s theory and data, along with concerns about the effectiveness of vaccinations used on black-footed ferrets, has been submitted to a scientific journal and is undergoing peer review. Mize said she

>> LOVE

ings are based on the expectations of femininity. (The paintings are) a way for me to have a visual representation to contrast characteristics women are supposed to have — modesty and sexiness,” Pearson said.

“They’re supposed to be perfect and have everything together but do really gross jobs.”

Both artists use their art to create expressions and conceptualize their surroundings and personal experiences.

“Personal experience and being around others (gives me inspiration),” Pearson said.

Hernandez said her art speaks in ways words may not be able to.

“Instead of communicating through writing or speaking, I like being able to just look at something and just get something from it,” she said. “I like visual languages. I like being able to respond to pictures.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

BRITNEY THORNS I THE VOLANTE

Follow reporter Britney Thorns on Twitter @KittenInTheSkyy

shows. It’s a pretty nice way to spend a spring break,” Schaeffer said.

While students are excited to travel across the country and world for spring break, Lieutenant Jef Rice of the University Police Department has some advice for students to stay safe.

“You need to take more caution,” Rice said. “You have a whole different type of mind-

is waiting to see if the paper will be published.

In the meantime, Mize has been awarded the Wildlife Student of the Year award by the South Dakota chapter of the Wildlife Society for her part in the research. She is the first student from USD to be awarded the honor. The award has traditionally been given to South Dakota State University students.

As for the prairie dogs, the future may still be bright.

“Currently a group from USGS (United States Geological Survey) has developed an oral plague vaccine that is being dropped on the ground in little peanut butter bits,” Mize said.

“It’s under trials right now as we speak.”

Junior art student Rayna Hernandez has had her art displayed in the John A. Day Gallery for the last two years. This year her painting, “Between a Blanket and a Dream,” was showcased in the annual Wilber Stilwell Juried show.

set when you’re going to a spring break.”

Rice said students should be aware and walk with others at night. He also cautions students to drink safely.

“Try to make sure you’re aware of everything that is going on,” Rice said. “Watch your drinks. Don’t take a drink from somebody you don’t know, especially if it’s already been opened.”

Rice also said students should make sure to tell others where they are going and when they will arrive if they do go off on their own. He said people should be cautious when meeting new people, because they’re strangers and might not be well known.

“You forget some of the basic rules of safety,” Rice said. “We want everybody to enjoy their spring break, have

>> FOLIO

a wonderful time, take a break from school and the stress, but come back safe.”

If anything happens over spring break, Rice said students can stop by the UPD for assistance.

“Our door is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Rice said.

Follow reporter Natalie Keller on Twitter @Natalie__Keller

the announcement would be made in February or March,” Johnson said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 Patricia Bornhofen, manager of communications for the folio is displayed must the NMM, said the preferred be 65 to 72 degrees Fahren- months the museum applied heit, and the room must be to host the exhibit are October, between 45 and 52 percent April and May of next year but humidity. Upon arriving at the the exact month will not be NMM, the folio will have to announced until April. Bornsit in its box for three days to hofen said Vermillion is a great acclimate to the environment. choice for the host site.

Johnson said he had “We’re kind of a nice culbeen eagerly awaiting the tural center for the state,” announcement of what sites Bornhofen said. “A lot of peowere chosen to host the exhib- ple think of South Dakota as it and was excited when he the great outdoors but there’s heard USD had been chosen. a certain great indoors, too.”

“I had been sitting on pins and needles for about a Follow reporter Malachi Petersen on Twitter @Malachi111493 month because I knew that

his wife first met.

This record is certainly a Valentine’s Day gift his wife will always cherish. The story is loud and clear. The complexity of Father John Misty’s character interfering with the relationship with his wife is a relatable tale for listeners with similar intimacy issues.

The concept of the songs gets cheesy and drags on, but Father John Misty gives his listener a break from the compendium of love with the track “Bored in the USA” — a twist on Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” with a down-andout perspective about the normal desires and qualities of American life.

It seems to be a poetic rant of the economic struggle one faces — going to college, taking out loans, etc. He describes debt as a prescription that you can’t get off of but eventually learn to deal with.

The concept comes back from intermission, with the track “Holy S***,” which is about the overwhelming feelings he felt on his wedding day. It is a track that captures the struggle of decision making.

Father John Misty’s voice amplifies his personality effortlessly, although it’s hard to take serious when you realize it is the same as Hozier’s. The orchestral structure of the songs can make you feel like you’re watching a musical with your eyes shut with only your imagination to interpret what’s happening on stage.

This album is for people who are looking for a concept album about the struggle and emotions that lead to an everlasting love.

Follow reporter Brandon Phrommany on Twitter @BrandonPhromman

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FULL COVERAGE Follow The Volante for live coverage from the 2015 Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls starting March 7.

MARCH 4, 2015 | @ V O L A N T E S P O R T S

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USD stares down IPFW Coyotes enter post-season with energy Collins Chalup

Collins.Chalup@coyotes.usd.edu

REACHING THE SUMMIT Top-seeded Coyotes enter tourney with high hopes Alanna Schmeichel

Alanna.Schmeichel@coyotes.usd.edu

After Saturday’s win against Western Illinois in the DakotaDome, the University of South Dakota women’s basketball team sits top-seeded for the Summit League Tournament.

“I’m really proud of our team for finishing things off with an undefeated home season and regular season

championship. That is a pretty special thing to accomplish,” head coach Amy Williams said. “It shows the willingness to come and work every single night of the season.”

The program has been focusing on defense throughout the year, and the season has prepared them for it.

“We have gotten comfortable with each other and know what we need to work on to be successful,” senior guard Nicole Seekamp said. “For us, that is defense, and if we can continue to keep working defensively, we are going to be a tough team to beat.”

Williams has the same idea.

“When we do guard and when we do rebound we can be pretty special,” she said. “We haven’t always done that all year, but when we do I like our chances.”

The last two years in the league have provided them with experience, and this year, road wins have particularly helped the Coyotes.

“We know what to expect, we know how crazy the crowd is and how all that outside pressure can affect us,” senior forward Lisa Loeffler said. “Having that experience we will be able to shut it out

SEE MEN, PAGE B6 SEE WOMEN, PAGE B6

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE

The University of South Dakota women’s basketball team huddles before its 78-75 win over Western Illinois to clinch the Summit League regular season title Feb. 28 in the DakotaDome.

Tennis strives for success under new coach Megan Card

A new coach and a winning record are the touchstones to the fresh start University of South Dakota tennis is serving up this year.

The Coyotes, who are 4-1 this season, welcomed head coach Brett Barnett to the court after the departure of Malcolm Gilreath last year, who was at the helm of the program for nearly 10 years.

Barnett, the 2012 and 2014 Summit League Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year, led Fort Wayne’s men’s tennis team and was an assistant for the women’s team since 2012.

His influence so far with the Coyotes has been huge, senior Nina Barudzic said.

“With Malcolm, we didn’t have consistency. We didn’t have practice very much,” Barudzic said. “We have had way more practice now than in the past, and they’re way harder and

more focused than ever before.”

USD found success early with its Summit League opener Feb. 13 against Western Illinois 6-1 at the Woodlake Athletic Club. First-year Alice Scott followed up a toughfought win against the University of North Dakota two weeks earlier for a 6-0, 6-0 victory for the Coyotes.

Barnett said Scott has been “rock solid” this season as a first-year, but all the women have been able to produce this season.

“We know we are going to be involved in a lot of tight matches, and those are the fun college matches,” he said. “We want to embrace the pressure and enjoy the moment.”

The team is also making waves on a national scale. The Coyotes entered the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Division I College Tennis Rankings for the first time in program history, finishing 72nd in the rankings released last week by the association.

Sean Bower

Sean.Bower@coyotes.usd.edu

Summit League teams in the rankings. Denver, which is the Summit League champion, is ranked 51st in the poll with 9.05 points.

The team did not play at Emporia State last week as originally SEE TENNIS, PAGE B6

SEE GOLF, PAGE B6

MEGAN CARD I THE VOLANTE

Junior Milica Pavlovic returns a backhand during practice Feb. 23 in the DakotaDome.

USD finished with a score of 4.20 in the poll, where rankings are generated by the ITA computer ranking system that generates a score through a point-per-match formula based upon the national ranking of opponents defeated.

South Dakota is one of two

Men’s golf swings for consistency The University of South Dakota men’s golf team got off to a strong start last week, tying for first place at the Nicholls State Atchafalaya Open in Patterson, La. The Coyotes will now look forward to carrying that momentum from this win into the remaining part of their spring season.

“It was a great start for us, especially as we look forward to the Summit League Tournament later this pring,” head coach Nick Hovden said.

The Coyotes have four other tournaments this spring before they head to Lompoc, Calif., in the beginning of May for the Summit League Tournament. To continue to see these kinds of results, Hovden said the Coyotes need to establish depth in their lineup.

“We’ve got our two upperclassmen, Sam Matthew and Jordan Rykal, who are our top two golfers,” Hovden said. “Cody Seal is very close

Barnett takes reigns, Coyotes come out of the gate in 2015 to earn national standing Megan.Card@coyotes.usd.edu

With the regular season over, the Coyotes have secured the fifth seed in the Summit League Tournament and will now play Fort Wayne in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Tournament March 7 in Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center at 6 p.m.

The Coyotes split their two games with Fort Wayne during the regular season and look to avenge their last meeting with Fort Wayne where the Coyotes were defeated at home.

Head coach Craig said his team is ready for the upcoming challenge.

“Your players need to know that there is no tomorrow, they need to understand that it is important to play with the same relaxed confidence that we ended the year off with,” Smith said. “Having the momentum from our last game going into the tournament is huge for us as well.”

The University of South Dakota’s 80-64 win against rival South Dakota State marked the sixth win in the Coyotes’ last eight games. Smith said the basketball team is playing the best they have all year.

Smith also said his team progressed throughout the season to get to this point.

“This is my first year as head coach here, and since the beginning of the season it has

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VOLANTEONLINE.COM

COYOTEDigest RESULTS

IT’S RABBIT SEASON

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Feb. 25 USD 48, DENVER 66

Denver snapped USD’s four-game winning streak with a win at home. The Coyotes were held to just 18 points in the second half.

Feb. 28 USD 80, SDSU 64 In a season-ending win, junior guard Tre Burnette earned a doubledouble (19 points, 13 rebounds) and Casey Kasperbauer added 17 points.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Feb. 26 USD 69, IUPUI 53

The Coyotes clinched the regular season Summit League title with a win over IUPUI at home, — the team’s 13th home win of the year. Senior guard Nicole Seekamp scored 13 points.

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE Coyote men’s basketball ended its season on a high note, taking down rival South Dakota State 80-64 at home Feb. 28. With the win, the Coyotes improved to 16-15 overall and 9-7 in the Summit League Conference, the team’s first winning record since joining Division I. The team’s win also solidified a fifth seed in the Summit League Championship beginning March 7 in Sioux Falls.

2015 SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKETS MEN’S BASKETBALL

Feb. 28 USD 78, W. ILLINOIS 75 USD grabbed the top seed in the Summit Leagure Championships with a hard-fought win against the Leathernecks to end the season.

GOLF Sophomore golfer Lervick named Golfer of the Week South Dakota sophomore Brenna Lervick was named the Summit League’s Female Golfer of the Week Feb. 26 after placing second at the Grand Canyon Spring Invitational Feb. 25. It is the first time she has received the honor.

Lervick finished one stroke off the lead with a three-round total of two-over-par (77-72-69-218).

Grand Canyon’s Charlotte Jaengkit won the tournament, which had 120 competitors. The finish is a career-best for Lervick during the spring season, and led the Coyotes to a 16th place finish in the team standings.

South Dakota will next compete at the Southern Utah Thunderbird Invite in St. George, Utah, March 12-13.

TRACK & FIELD USD grad assistant second at USATF Championships South Dakota track and field graduate assistant coach Kenna Wolter placed second in the women’s triple jump at the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Mass., March 1.

Wolter reached 43 feet, 2 ¼ inches on her second attempt. She was one of 10 competitors in the event.

Amanda Smock of Asics/New York

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

TENNIS March 1 Tulsa, Okla.

SOUTH DAKOTA 3, ORAL ROBERTS 4

SOFTBALL Feb. 28 Jacksonville, Fla. SOUTH DAKOTA STONY BROOK (CANCELLED) SOUTH DAKOTA N. FLORIDA (CANCELLED) Feb. 29 SOUTH DAKOTA KANSAS (CANCELLED) SOUTH DAKOTA 8, SIENA 7

TRACK & FIELD SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPS Fargo, N.D. Men’s: First Women’s Second

Athletic Club won the event for the fourth consecutive year with a final mark of 43-7.

Wolter graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2013 and spent three seasons competing for the Coyotes. She took gold in six conference meets, advanced to two NCAA preliminary rounds and set the school record in the indoor triple jump with a mark of 41-9 ¼ in 2012.

TRACK AND FIELD Coyote men earn third straight Summit title Reigning men’s Summit League Champions, South Dakota captured its third consecutive Summit League Indoor Track & Field title Feb. 25 in Fargo, N.D. Meanwhile, the Coyote women finished runner-up for the second year in a row.

The Coyote men swept the award stand at the meet. Coach Dave Gottsleben was named the Summit League Coach of the Year for the third straight year. Junior Teivaskie Lewin was named the Track Championship MVP and senior Jeff O’Connell earned Field Championship MVP honors. First-year Gawain Williams was presented with the Newcomer of the Championship award. On the women’s side, firstyear Shanice Cannigan earned Newcomer of the Championship honors.

South Dakota’s men took gold in eight of 17 events over two days.

Leading the way with two titles each were Lewin and sophomore Mach Dojiok.

ON DECK MEN’S BASKETBALL March 7 SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sioux Falls USD (5) VS FORT WAYNE (4) 6 p.m.

IPFW - Steve Forbes, 13.9 ppg USD - Tyler Larson, 14.4 ppg TV: MidcoSN/ESPN3

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL March 7 SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sioux Falls USD (1) VS FORT WAYNE (8) 12 p.m.

IPFW - Haley Seibert, 18.0 ppg USD - R. Contreras, 15.8 ppg TV: MidcoSN/ESPN3

TRACK & FIELD

March 13-14 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS Fayetteville, Ark.

GOLF

March 9-10 SACRAMENTO STATE INVITE Sacramento, Calif.

TENNIS March 10 USD VS. PROVIDENCE Orlando, Fla. March 11 USD VS. S.C. STATE Orlando, Fla. March 12 USD VS. BRYANT Orlando, Fla.

THE VOLANTE

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

VOLANTEONLINE.COM

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been difficult trying to get everyone on the same page starting in a 3-7 hole at the beginning of the season,” he said. “We finished 9-7 in conference play, splitting with every team besides Western Illinois, who we beat twice, and our guys know that we can beat anyone in our conference.”

Junior guard Sekou Harris said the team has recovered from the deficit at the beginning of the season.

“At the beginning of the season we didn’t play well together,” he said. “Our chemistry started to become great when we all started to gel at a tournament in California.”

First-year guard Dejon Davis said that halfway through the season the team had a different feel.

“Everyone on the team, whether it is the scout team or the starters, started practicing harder, which helped the team play harder,” Davis said. “Nobody gets a day off, especially when you’re going as hard as you can every day in practice making your team better.”

Harris also said there was one thing Smith wanted them to remember as they started to play better.

“The most important thing that comes with success is to have a little prosperity when you’re playing as well,” Harris said. “If not, then teams can take advantage of you.”

Smith he and his team are approaching the tournament games with their own strengths.

“Every team in our conference is different with their certain strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “When we play according to our game plan and show up with a chip on our shoulder our team feels like we can beat anyone.”

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE

Senior guard Brandon Bos makes a move to the hoop during the Univerity of South Dakota’s 80-68 victory against rival South Dakota State Feb. 28.

SUMMIT HISTORY 2013

First Round USD 53, Western Illinois 54 2014

First Round USD 55, Denver 71 2015

First Round (5)USD vs. (4)Fort Waynve Series 1-1 in 2014-15

Larson

Burnette

14.4 ppg I 2.9 apg 8.0 ppg I 1.3 spg 7.7 rpg I 43.2 FG% 5.9 rpg I 42.9 FG% 36.4 3FG% 29.7 3FG%

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE

Senior Tyler Larson goes to the basket against South Dakota State Feb. 28.

>>WOMEN CONTINUED FROM PAGE B4

MEGAN CARD I THE VOLANTE

Sophomore Yuliya Sidenko and senior Nina Barudzic practice doubles Feb . 23.

>> TENNIS CONTINUED FROM PAGE B4

scheduled because of weather, but traveled to Tulsa, Okla., Sunday to play Summit League foe Oral Roberts. The Coyotes lost the meet with a close score, 4-3.

USD tennis is now 1-1 in conference play. The team is predicted to finish fourth in the Summit League, according to a preseason poll released Jan. 8 by the league office.

The poll was voted by each of the league’s eight head women’s tennis coaches. The Coyotes finished last season with a 13-12 overall record and a 2-4 league record.

But the Coyotes are also coming into the spring season following a semifinal appearance in last year’s league tournament.

The Coyotes also returned all six members of their singles lineup from a year ago.

First-year Scott said players are feeling confident coming into the season, while Barnett said the goal is to get the topthree seed in the tournament to avoid playing Denver in the semifinal.

“It’s helped having a new coach, because it’s lifted up the spirit of everyone,” Scott said. “Everyone wants to do really well to impress him.”

Doubles play is the focus of improvement for the team.

Scott said the emphasis in practice and in competition is that taking the doubles point

2015 SCHEDULE Updated March 3

MSU-Moorhead at North Dakota at Augustana Western Illinois at Emporia St. at Oral Roberts Providence Toledo Bryant Hampton Radford Butler

W,7-0 W,4-3 W,6-3 W,6-1 Can. L,4-3 Mar. 10 Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 27

gives the Coyotes a leg up in coming out of the meet with a win.

The biggest asset right now for the team is its depth, Barnett said. The singles lineup, especially, he said, allows the players to focus on weaker parts of their game.

“I have a bunch of people I know I can count on in singles,” Barnett said.

“Our weakness right now is our doubles, and this has traditionally been a weakness of this team. That’s why we work on it 50 percent of the week.”

The Coyotes head to Florida during spring break for a string of match-ups that include: Providence, South Carolina State, Bryant, Hampton and Radford.

Follow reporter Megan Card on Twitter @meg_card

more and focus more than last year.”

The motto for the team has been to take one game at a time, and they are continuing with that idea through post-season.

“Whatever team shows up to play is going to be the winner,” junior guard Tia Hemiller said. “We will have to be aggressive, lock up and play defense. If we can string three great games together and play like it’s our last, we will have a good chance.”

Since they’ve only lost one player since last year, their experience will be similar to last year’s — except that they are first seed, which means a win guarantees a day off.

“That first round game isn’t going to be easy, and we are going to have to take care of business,” Williams said. “If we happen to do that we can look forward to the day off.”

Knowing they had a good team last year helps prepare them for this year.

“I knew we had a special team last year,” said senior guard Raeshel Contreras. “I

>> GOLF

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B4 to establishing himself, but then our four and five spots are where we need to improve.”

Hovden said Matthew and Rykal are the strength for the Coyotes. Not only are both good golfers, but they bring leadership that helps the younger guys on the team improve their games, he said.

“They set the tone and pace at each tournament,” Hovden said. “They really help the younger guys improve their mental toughness, and when they’re both playing well our team plays well.”

With Matthew and Rykal locking in the top two spots, and sophomore Cody Seal playing in the third spot, that leaves the other five

AUSTIN ASHLOCK I THE VOLANTE

Senior guard Raeshel Contreras looks to score against Western Illinois during the team’s 78-75 win Feb. 28.

knew as we came together and grew we were going to be even better. Winning (last year) gave everyone confidence — made everyone step-up to know their plays and play their role.”

The first-seeded Coyotes, with the record of 13-3 in the Summit League, take on eighth-seeded Fort Wayne (3-13) at 12 p.m Saturday at the Denny

Sanford PREMIER Center.

“Every time we huddled this year it was one team one dream. Our dream is to be back in the NCAA tournament,” Williams said. “It is very evident the parody in our league, anybody on any given night can

golfers on the team battling for the final two spots on the traveling team.

“We have four to five guys right around the same talent level,” Hovden said.

“It’s going to be gut-check time in order to see who wants to step into one of our remaining spots.”

While golf is a predominantly individual sport, and each member competes to make the competition roster, Hovden believes pushing each other through qualifying and practice will get the group to buy into the team concept of college golf.

For first-year Cole Peterson, this philosophy is something he strongly believes in.

“Individually I want to play well, obviously,” Peterson said. “But it’s really about helping out the team anyway I can.”

Each member of the USD men’s golf team knows that individuals don’t win team events — in golf, the top four scores from each team count toward their overall score for the day.

Matthew said the Coyotes need to have consistency up and down the lineup to see continued success.

“If we can get three or four scores around par when we play, we will do very well,” Matthew said. “That’s our goal — a complete team effort every time we compete.”

At the beginning of the spring season the Coyotes were selected to finish fourth in the pre-season Summit League poll, but the team is setting their sights much higher than that.

“We have already won one tournament, which is great,” Matthew said. “But we want to win our first conference

Follow reporter Alanna Schmeichel on Twitter @ASchmeichel

2014 POSTSEASON RESULTS First Round USD 96, Western Illinois 94 Semi-finals USD 72, SDSU 58 Championship USD 82, Denver 71 NCAA Round One USD 62, Stanford 62

Matthew

Rykal title and wouldn’t mind adding a few more victories to our record as well.”