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OCTOBER 16, 2013
No charges filed yet in alleged rape Trent Opstedahl The Volante
It could take weeks, possibly months, before the outcome of a reported sexual assault investigation involving two University of South Dakota students officially surfaces, Vermillion Police Department Chief Matt Betzen said Tuesday. The investigation began Oct. 6 after University Police Department officials responded to a call from the Coyote Village residence hall reporting the incident between 3:30 and 4 p.m. After securing the room where the alleged sexual assault occurred between a male and female student, Pete Jensen, UPD director, said Vermillion police took over the case because of the severity of circumstances. Matthew Shore, a sophomore resident in Coyote Village, witnessed the afternoon’s BETZEN investigation transpire, noting there were officers all around the building complex. “I remember coming down (from my room) and there were two parents here and a police officer,” Shore said. “I didn't realize what was going on until later, (after hearing) bits and pieces here and there through the vine.” Shore said university and law officials
Sewage water backs up hall Michael Geheren The Volante
Early reports indicate a blockage caused sewage water to back up on the first floor of Mickelson Hall in North Complex Tuesday evening. By 11:30 p.m., the residence hall was operational again. Floors were disinfected and mopped, water was turned back on, all but one bathroom was opened and only two students were displaced, said Tena Haraldson, director of USD media relations. At approximately 7 p.m., students reported sewage water in the hallway of the first floor.
First-year student Kallan Groseth said she noticed water on the floor in the hallway when she forgot something in her room. She went back to the hall just before sewage water flowed into her room. “We have everything on the floor — rugs, electrical lamps — I picked it up as fast as I could,” Groseth said. “We tried to put everything on our beds.” She said it took two minutes for the water to seep into her room. Six to eight rooms had water on the floor, Haraldson said. By the end of the evening all but two students were in their rooms. The students were moved at their
own request. A plumber arrived at the residence hall around 9:30 p.m. The plumber determined a blockage in the pipes caused an overflow of sewer water on the first floor, Haraldson said. “It’s not coming from the toilets, it’s just coming from the drains,” said Trevor Gillespie, Mickelson and Beede residence hall director. Residents of the floor were concerned about getting into their rooms. “I have a lot of stuff to do (today). I have a test and I have a bunch of stuff due for English and SUBMITTED PHOTO
Please see MICKELSON, Page A8
State of women Report ranks SD low in workforce gender equality
Please see INVESTIGATION, Page A7
State of women at USD
University reacts to assault
Accounting for 63 percent of the USD population,
Trent Opstedahl The Volante
Amidst the investigation of a reported rape that occurred in a residence hall at the University of South Dakota, university officials are handling the situation the way they see fit, said Tena Haraldson, director of USD media relations. Since the Oct. 6 incident at Coyote Village, the Student Services Office has issued no formal statement informing the campus population about the alleged assault. However, the SSO did send out an email five days after the reported sexual assault to students living on campus entitled “Campus Safety Reminder,” which included 12 tips on how to stay safe, but it did not mention Check out The Volante's the alleged website for an in-depth assault. look on who was Haraldcontacted by reporters son said for this story, and the while one responses given from of the main concerns for the university and lothe universical police department ty is its stuabout the reported dents, the sexual assault. administration is also trying to be mindful of the two students involved and their right to due process. “We’re actively waiting for the outcome of the investigation,” she said. Although Dean of Students Kim Grieve said the SSO is being “trans-
women make up about half of the nation's workforce,
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but will only make $0.78 to a man's $1 in the state,
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and ranked 43 out of 50 states in varying factors. PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATION BY TRENT OPSTEDAHL/THE VOLANTE
Please see ASSAULT, Page A7
First floor Mickelson experienced sewage blockage Tuesday night, causing the dorm to flood for about four hours.
SOURCES: "The State of Women in America," colleges.us.news.rakningsandreviews.com
SPORTS
Cross country will make its way to familiar ground at the Tim Young Invitational.
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Michael Geheren The Volante
In part one of this four-week series about women's issues, The Volante focuses on a report that evaluates South Dakota's women workforce and its relation to the University of South Dakota. South Dakota received an “F” on a report by The Center for American Progress exploring “The State of Women in America.” The report, released last month, ranked South Dakota 43 out of the 50 states on 36 factors of the economy, leadership and health. For the University of South Dakota, the latest evaluation of South Dakota's attention to gender equality could have dire consequences on more than half of the student body. Economic Security In the category of economic security South Dakota received a “D” rating. Women make up about half of the workforce, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. B u t w o m e n only make $0.77 to a man’s $1 as a national average according to the r e p o r t . In South Dakota, the average is LUEDERS $0.78 to a man’s $1. “I think that is a bad thing,” said Megan Lueders, manager of employer relations at USD. “I feel like everybody, if they are equally qualified, regardless of gender or race, should be getting paid the same amount.” The non-partisan organization also looked at if the minimum wage were raised to $10.10 an hour, they estimate 57 percent of women in the state would be affected by the
VERVE
The Fall Showcase for three USD choirs will hit the Aalfs Auditorium stage Oct. 20.
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Where did the report come from? The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan educational institute designed to develop, critique, challenge and shape national political issues. Anna Chu, the policy director for the ThinkProgress War Room co-authored the report with Charles Posner, the state communications assist for ThinkProgress. change. In all 36 factors, a discrepancy of race was seen. With poverty — 14.5 percent of women overall are in poverty in the state, but 48.6 percent of Native American women and girls are living in poverty in South Dakota according to the report. “The best thing employers can do is look at the qualifications of the person. It would almost be best if you could not include their name on the resume,” Lueders said. South Dakota does not have laws establishing a program for paid family leave insurance, temporary disability insurance or paid sick leave laws. Leadership Overall, South Dakota was ranked 47 out of 50 states for female leadership in the public and private sector. The number of seats in U.S Congress held by women representing South Dakota is 33.3 percent, with Rep. Kristi Noem as South Dakota’s lone House representative and both U.S. senators being male. Annette Bosworth is a physician and candidate for the 2014 U.S. Senate election. She is also an alumna of USD. “When you look at a cultural trend for anything there needs to be role models,” Bosworth said. “As South Dakota Please see REPORT, Page A7