THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887
The Volante
.
volanteonline com
OC TOBER 15, 2014
Proposed amendment would raise minimum wage in SD
ONWARD
Braley Dodson
Braley.Dodson@coyotes.usd.edu
MEGAN CARD I THE VOLANTE
The Sound of USD perform during the USD Red Tie Launchevent Oct. 10 announcing the Onward Campaign aimed at fundraising $250 million.
USD ushers in new era, unveils $250 million fundraising campaign Kenzie Wagner
Kenzie.Wagner@coyotes.usd.edu
Ball gowns and cocktail dresses, black suits and bow ties — all kinds of red-and black-attired folk gathered at the Muenster University Center Oct. 10 for the public launch of the largest fundraising campaign in South Dakota’s history. The Onward Campaign for South Dakota, scheduled for completion in 2017, has raised $135,223,415 in private donations since it began in 2012. Diego Marquez, a sophomore who will graduate in 2017, is excited to be able to see much of the campaign’s success. “I’m looking forward to watching it come together. In South Dakota, we need these kinds of campaigns,” Marquez said. “It’s not just going to benefit students, it’s going to involve the whole university. If the university creates more programs — better programs — then we will get more students, more alumni, more benefits throughout.” The event, which illuminated the MUC in a red glow, began with a cocktail hour during which University of South Dakota alumni and supporters could listen to a student led marimba band play tropical tunes while munching on delicious hor d’oeuvres while catching up with old friends and making new ones. The main event began at 8 p.m. when USD’s marching band led the attendees into the ballroom where Cody Strand, who starred in the Broadway play ‘Book of Morman,’ took the stage and sang ‘This is the Moment’ from the musical ‘Jekyll and Hyde.’ Strand said his experiences at USD helped form the base of his success. “I am here tonight as just one example of the difference that USD can make in the lives of their students,” Strand said.
“If people get any sort of help from what I have to offer, then I count that as a win.” Strand later performed a dance number to the song ‘Seize the Day’ from the musical ‘The Newsies’ with current USD theater students. Governor Dennis Daugaard, USD President James Abbott and Onward Campaign co-chairs, as well as D-Days Grand Marshalls Tom and Nancy Gallagher, discussed the resiliency of USD’s Onward Campaign and how the university helps create bright futures for its students. Abbott said he has no doubt in his mind the campaign’s target number will be reached. “I’m absolutely confident we will make our $250 million dollar goal,” Abbott said. Former USD Foundation President Ted Muenster, for whom the MUC was named after, said it was a great honor to have the event in his namesake building. “It’s a beautiful building and a very appropriate venue for this kind of event,” Muenster said. “It’s an ambitious campaign that I’m very confident can be done. (It) will mean a lot to the future of USD, but also to the future of its students, buildings, faculty and resources.” Although she will not get to see the Campaign’s entirety, junior Kelsey McCann is still happy her college will benefit so greatly from it. “I don’t know how much I will be able to see of the Onward Campaign, but it’s such a great idea, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s going to go,” she said. Alumni who attended the event said they were delighted at the remarkable buildings USD continues to invest in and
ON THE BALLOT
Minimum wage amendments Initiated Measure 17 would require health insurers to include all willing and qualified health care providers on their provider lists. Amendment Q would allow roulette, keno and craps in Deadwood and on-reservation tribal casinos.
MEGAN CARD I THE VOLANTE
Attendees applaud during the USD Red Tie event.
“I’m absolutely confident we will make our $250 million goal.” -James Abbott, USD president
ONLINE ONLY Photo Gallley
See the many shades of the Muenster University Center during the Red Tie Launch event.
.
volanteonline com
SEE ONWARD, PAGE A8
New Native Studies faculty attempt to revamp program Megan Card
Megan.Card@coyotes.usd.edu
New Native Studies faculty are describing the revamped curriculum as a kind of “choose your own adventure.” Dave Posthumus, assistant professor of anthropology, is one of two new additions to Native Studies, and said he came to the University of South Dakota to bring continuity and interdisciplinary collaboration to the program. “We need to have a presence on campus, because for a while,
students weren’t sure what was happening in Native Studies,” he said. “Quite frankly, they weren’t getting what they were promised.” Post humus DAVE POSTHUMUS and Elise Boxer, assistant history professor and enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, said they are both
Proposed measures on this November’s election ballot could change the economic landscape of South Dakota. Initiated Measure 18 would amend state law to raise the state’s hourly minimum wage for non-tipped workers from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Every year, the minimum wage would be adjusted if there is an increase in the cost of living, measured by the Consumer Price Index, and would never be decreased. The hourly wage for tipped employees would be half of the minimum wage for nontipped employees. Juniors Jordyn Larson and Shannon Billie have both worked jobs where they were paid the minimum wage. Larson has worked as a lifeguard as well as a waitress. “It was pretty tough when you put in so many hours,” Larson said.
working to make USD’s program a regional, and possibly national, powerhouse in the discipline. Boxer said a significant change to the curriculum will be altering the two specializations in the Native Studies major to Lakota studies and tribal preservation, which focuses on oral history and museum studies. “What’s neat about the University of South Dakota being a smaller university is that we have to rely on other people across campus and various departments to
bring a group of people together for Native American issues,” she said. “We’re a small program, but we have a vibrant curriculum — which is more on point with national trends.” A notable change to be made by the new faculty to reflect other programs in the U.S. is to change its name to Native American and Indigenous Studies. Boxer was the first one to suggest the change, and she said from a national standSEE STUDIES, PAGE A6
When she switched to a job that paid $12, Larson said the pay made a large difference. Larson said a rise in the minimum wage could have the same impact on others. “Those living paycheck to paycheck, it could make a big difference, and for students, too,” Larson said. “A lot of the time, that’s what kinds of jobs you can find.” Billie made minimum wage when she started as a cashier at Panera Bread, and again at a desk worker in Brookman Hall. Because she is limited in how many hours she can work each week, Billie said she’d welcome a raise in the state minimum wage. “I think that would make a huge difference,” Billie said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, in 2013, 6,000 employees were paid minimum wage, and 6,000 were paid below minimum wage. About 2.4 percent of workers in the state were paid minimum wage, and about 2.4 percent were paid below the minimum wage. Senior Sam Reuland is against raising the state minimum wage and said doing so would cause immediate job loss. “It’s a bad thing for the economy as a whole,” Reuland said. “It’s an arbitrary setback against the free market.” Reuland has previously worked a job making minimum wage when he maintained a ball field in White Lake. He said the minimum wage is designed for career SEE WAGE, PAGE A7
.
volanteonline com
Behind the fur, meet Charlie Coyote Verve, B1
All the daily updates about the news you need to know. Please Recycle
USD men begin new era under Smith Sports, B4