THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887
The Volante
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NOVEMBER 12, 2014
Eagle Creek lawsuit won’t affect USD partnership
EXPANDING THE COYOTE BRAND
Trent Opstedahl
Trent.Opstedahl@coyotes.usd.edu
A pending lawsuit between Vermillion’s Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Company and Eagle Creek Software Services Inc. will not affect an academic partnership between the University of South Dakota and the Twin Cities-based technology company. Jim Moran, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said an Information Technology Consultant Academy is still expected to open this summer for students, which incorporates four undergraduate courses, an internship, the possibility of MORAN employment and the opportunity to pursue a Masters in Business Administration – all designed to meet the workforce needs of Eagle Creek. Introductory courses for the program are slated to begin at the start of the spring semester. “Our relationship with Eagle Creek still exists,” he said. “We’re so looking forward to them working with us to potentially hire more of our students.” The Chamber of Commerce is suing Eagle Creek because they say the technology company did not move into a $4.2 million technology center located across from Walmart the organization constructed for them in return for entering into a long-term agreement to lease and occupy the building, according to court documents. The Chamber is seeking about $3.1 million in future rent and about $154,000 for past rent and other expenses. SEE EAGLE, PAGE A8
Students take Vermillion’s economy into their own hands Emily Niebrugge
Emily.K.Niebrugge@coyotes.usd.edu
As Vermillion city officials continue to push for economic development, students at the University of South Dakota are involving themselves in the process. Through VermillionNEXT, Young Professionals Network of Emerging Leaders, students have the opportunity to engage with professionals in the area who are between 21 and 40 years of age. “The Vermillion community has been very forthcoming,” said Rachelle Norberg, Student Government Association senator. “The meetings are a good place to meet and network with people your age, and network throughout the community.” Nate Welch, executive director for the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company, said the program provides an opportunity for a smooth transition from student life to professional life. “What makes an organizaSEE DEVELOP, PAGE A8
MEGAN CARD I THE VOLANTE
Joe Jamison, who works on brand identity and licensing for USD marketing and university relations, points out the vintage line of clothing available at the university’s gift shop in The Empire Mall.
Empire Mall holiday store marks shift in USD merchandising Megan Card
Megan.Card@coyotes.usd.edu
The newly-opened University of South Dakota holiday gift shop may include an exclusive vintage line that features a cartoon Charlie Coyote, but its opening in Sioux Falls’ Empire Mall signals a shift in how USD competes in the college logo market. “It’s a fortified billion dollar market. There are schools that are not D-I that have more merchan-
dise than we do, because they’ve been working at it longer,” said Tena Haraldson, director of marketing and university relations. “I step back and look at that market and I think USD needs to get in there to get our fair share.” The royalties generated from branded USD merchandise have increased by nearly $30,000 since 2008, Haraldson said. As more logo wear is sold by retailers, USD receives more revenue which could
apply, in part, to student scholarships. While marketing and university relations is focused on the future of USD’s brand, its decision to open a store in The Empire Mall had to do with a matter of space. The university used two merchandise kiosks to sell apparel and gift items last year in the mall, but Haraldson said the carts offered limited storage and display options. SEE GEAR, PAGE A8
Recycling decreases at USD from 2013 Ally Krupinsky
Ally.Krupinskyy@coyotes.usd.edu
Every other weekend, University of South Dakota first-year Gabbie Sefranek, a sustainability major, takes seven peoples’ worth of recyclables back to her hometown of Omaha, Neb. “None of my friends would recycle before I asked them to,” Sefranek said. Sefranek’s mother teaches at a high school where the janitors take all recyclables to a center that pays 5 cents per item. That money is then given to families in need. Sefranek believes USD should have more locations for students to drop recyclables off, which would encourage more students to recycle. But Director of Housing Todd Tucker said student involvement regarding recycling throughout USD housing isn’t strong. “In all honesty, there hasn’t been a ton of student passion in the recycling world in housing, and generally that’s what helps those programs get off the ground a little bit — to have students get involved and take full advantage of what we do have to offer,” Tucker said. USD Housing recycles paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum SEE RECYCLE, PAGE A6
ALLY KRUPINSKYI THE VOLANTE
The number of recyclable items the Missouri River Valley Recycling Center has recieved to date from the University is 32.5 percent less than the number of items it recieved at this time last year.
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