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Search to fill Gestring’s former position declared failed
New safety app to be implemented at USD
Devin Martin
Devin.Martin@coyotes.usd.edu-
The search to fill the vice president of finance and administration (VPFA) has been declared failed by President Gestring. Adam Rosheim will continue to serve as interim VPFA for one year alongside assistant interim VPFA, Julie Kriech. Michelle Cwach, director of marketing communications and university relations, said the external search for the VPFA position started June 12, 2018 after Sheila Gestring was hired as USD’s president. Gestring held the former VPFA position. Michael Lawler, dean of the school of health sciences chaired the search committee in which 12 members from campus were on the committee. The committee evaluated 21 candidates and completed interviews. None of the candidates met the qualifications for the position. Cwach said that Rosheim and Kriech bring “significant experience” to the SDBOR budgetary process. “Rosheim has worked in USD’s finance department since April 2007 and has served as director of budget and finance since Dec. 2013. Kriech has worked at USD since 1998 in a variety of finance positions. Most recently, she has served as director of finance for health affairs, Cwach said. “We are excited for their leadership in these vital positions as we move the University of South Dakota forward.” In an email sent to USD faculty, President Gestring will re-evaluate both positions in late 2019 and gives thanks to Rosheim and Kriech. “Please join me in thanking Adam and Julie for their leadership in these vital positions as we move our university forward,” Gestring said.
Alleged sexual assault in Coyote Village Devin Martin
Devin.Martin@coyotes.usd.edu
The University was notified of an alleged sexual assault that took place in Coyote Village last Saturday, according to an email sent from the dean of students office Tuesday afternoon. The email read, “USD is aware of an alleged sexual assault in Coyote Village that was reported Saturday, Sept. 8. The University immediately notified the Vermillion Police Department, and the investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement determined there were no additional safety risks for the campus community. It is USD’s policy to immediately notify students when there is an ongoing threat to the community.” Michelle Cwach, director of communications and university relations, said in an email interview with The Volante that there is not a threat to campus. “Law enforcement has determined there is no additional safety risk for the campus community,” Cwach said. For more information about on-campus resources offered at USD visit or contact the student counseling center at (605) 677-5777. The Volante will report more updates as they become available.
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Blue lights are stationed around campus in case of emergency. If the help button is pressed on the light, 911 is immediatly notified and dispached to your location. Rachel Newville
Rachel.Newville@coyotes.usd.edu
USD will be offering a free safety app to students through AppArmor, which is expected to roll out before Dakota Days. A committee was formed to explore options for a safety app after it was recommended at a Student Government Association safety walk last spring. John Howe, the associate dean of student services, said IT, UPD, marketing, student services and students are working with AppArmor to integrate the app at USD. SGA vice president Madison Green said the app will allow students to choose emergency contacts from family members, friends, UPD and VPD. The emergency
contacts can act as a virtual escort, who can watch the users’ path from point A to point B on their own device. Green said the program will still work even in areas with spotty service. “Even if you don’t have service, you are still going to be able to contact people, so if you were in a dangerous situation or felt uncomfortable but were in a place that doesn’t have service, like the basement of the library, you could still dispatch any of your emergency contacts,” she said. “It doesn’t run solely off of wifi, which is nice.” Molly Gordon, a sophomore nursing major, said she has felt uncomfortable walking around campus at night.
What is AppArmor? The app will act as a mobile blue light. Has mobile escort capabilities. Provides educational tutorials and modules on emergency situations.
See SAFETY, Page A3
Vermillion Human Relations Commission promotes diversity Kelli Susemihl
Kelli.Susemihl@coyotes.usd.edu
The Vermillion Human Relations Commission (VHRC) was established by Vermillion City Council Ordinance 1377 this summer on July 19. The commission will have their first meeting, which will be closed to the public, on Tuesday at Vermillion City Hall. The purpose of the commission is to promote diversity and inclusiveness throughout Vermillion, as well as hear cases of discrimination. The VHRC’s seven members will be members of the Vermillion community. Addison McCauley, a senior studying social work and criminal justice, is a commissioner on the VHRC and is the author of the ordinance. McCauley said although the VHRC can hear discrimination cases, they cannot take legal action. “It’s not so much a courtroom setting,
although that’s the way a lot of other communities have done it,” McCauley said. “We felt like that would be a little invasive, and a little too much to put into the hands of community members who don’t necessarily need to have any legal training or a humans rights background.” After hearing a case, the VHRC can decide to send the case to the state human relations commission, where it can be ruled upon. “If we find out there is a case of discrimination that is well-founded, we’ll refer them to the state human relations commission, in which the state can act on that and can use enforcement powers,” McCauley said. Brookings, Rapid City and Sioux Falls are South Dakota cities who already have a city human relations commission. “Vermillion, a town that is much smaller than those three towns in South Dakota, is the next upcoming town to go ahead and take that step for the community, so it’s a
very progressive move,” McCauley said.
Promoting diversity Travis Letellier, a USD business professor, is another commissioner of the VHRC. Letellier said the purpose of the VHRC is to provide the Vermillion community with education about diversity, as well as provide a place for those faced with discrimination to go to receive information and to submit complaints. “Primarily it’s an education commission, meaning that it’s the role of the VHRC to make sure that everybody is aware of their rights, their responsibilities, what the non-discrimination laws are and are not in South Dakota,” he said. This commission is the first of its kind in Vermillion, Letellier said. “Say there’s a student at USD or a person living in the community, and See VHRC, Page A3