The Volante W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 6
THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887
VOLANTEONLINE.COM
ON THE RISE
GONORRHEA 53 percent increase
HIV (INCLUDING AIDS) 61 percent increase
HEPATITIS-C 82 percent increase
South Dakota STI rates steadily increase Chance Mullinix
Chance.Mullinix@coyotes.usd.edu
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Health in a yearly infectious disease report. STIs are infections that can be transferred person-to-person through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex. Comparing year-to-date data on new cases to the fiveyear median between 2011 and 2015, it shows chlamydia has risen seven percent to more than 3,500 new cases. This makes chlamydia the most prominent STI in South Dakota. Individuals aged 1524 account for over half this total. There have been 43 new cases in Clay County. Chlamydia can cause a burning sensation during urination and infertility in women.
Gonorrhea has risen 53 percent to more than 1,000 new cases. Gonorrhea, if left untreated, can spread to joints and heart valves. HIV (including AIDS) has risen 61 percent to 37 new cases. HIV suppresses your immune system and leaves you susceptible to worse symptoms from other infections and diseases. Hepatitis-C has risen 82 percent to nearly 600 new cases and can cause liver disease and abdominal pain. The best way to prevent getting infected with STIs is abstinence, said Melissa Shefl, a certified physician assistant at the Sanford Vermillion Medical Center. “If you’re not having sex you can’t get infected, but that’s unrealistic. The second-best way to protect yourself is to practice safe sex,” she said. “Condoms, while not 100 percent safe, can help lower your
risk of infection.” Shefl said that gonorrhea and chlamydia are the STIs she sees most often at Sanford in Vermillion. “They are what we treat most often and they don’t usually have long-standing effects if treated quickly,” she said. “If not treated in a timely manner, they can go on to cause some infertility issues.” South Dakota isn’t only experiencing higher chlamydia rates but, it’s also becoming a high-risk state for syphilis, Shefl said. Keith Hansen, a gynecologist with the USD Sanford School of Medicine, said syphilis can cause death if left untreated. “It’s called the ‘great imitator,’ because it mimics the symptoms of other infections and diseases,” he said. Hansen said there are more See RISE, Page A4
“
As an institution, we’re always trying to help students make decisions for themselves... Ashley Hartnett, assistant director of housing
Condom dispensers to be placed in select residence halls Ally Krupinsky
Ally.Krupinsky@coyotes.usd.edu
In an attempt to address the rising cases of STIs in the state, USD housing, the Student Health Advisory Board and Sanford Health are working together on an initiative to provide free condoms and safe sex education to USD students. Starting in January, North
Complex will have four condom dispensers and Burgess-Norton will have two. Ashley Hartnett, the assistant director of housing, said these first six dispensers will serve as a trial run; more could be added to restrooms across campus in the future. The exact location of these first few dispensers has See HALLS, Page A4
Candlelight vigil held to show Vermillion is safe, accepting Ally Krupinsky
Ally.Krupinsky@coyotes.usd.edu
Underneath the glow of the downtown Christmas lights, songs such as “Imagine,” “Where is the Love” and “He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother” played as part of Vermillion’s candlelight vigil Sunday night. A crowd of about 100 community members gathered on the Platz to show their support and acceptance for all Vermillion residents. Teri Bellis, one of the event’s organizers and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders at USD, said the vigil was a way to demonstrate that Vermillion is a safe, accepting place. “We all know that there’s been a very divisive situation in the country of late and it really came to a head Nov. 8. And following that there were incidents on campus that we know of, and there were people who have lived here all their lives and were suddenly afraid,” she said. “We felt the need to say, ‘This is Vermillion, you don’t need to be afraid.’” Though not many USD students attended the vigil, Bellis acknowledged the event’s short notice and the fact that most students are busy preparing for finals. “I think I would’ve loved to have seen more students here,
Ally Krupinsky I The Volante
About 100 community members gathered as part of a “celebration of love and acceptance” during
the Vermillion candlelight vigil held Sunday night. because for me, as a professor, it might be the students who need this the most — to know that they’re coming to a place where they’re accepted and loved,” she said. “But at the same time, just having people in the community accept this, and to come out and show like this, just that makes a statement.” Musheera Anis, an assistant professor and adviser of the Muslim Students Association, also helped organize the event. She said it
was “wonderful.” “We wanted an official event where we announce the proclamation that the City Council signed and to really provide a space for everyone to come together and show the love and unity and acceptance that citizens of Vermillion and people of the Vermillion community show on a day-to-day basis,” she said. Event speakers included Steve Miller, a United Church of Christ pastor; Lee Ann Roripaugh, the South Dakota Poet
Laureate and a USD professor and Kelsey Collier-Wise, executive director of the United Way of Vermillion and a Vermillion City Council member. After Collier-Wise read the city’s proclamation, “Recognizing Vermillion as a Community of Tolerance and Peace,” the candles were lit. “Carry this light in your hearts forever,” Bellis told the crowd. “I could feel the spirit,” Bellis said after the event. “I was watching people sing along
with ‘Imagine’ … I think it went beautifully.” Alex Carr, a Vermillion High School student, said she and a few others in a confirmation class thought it would be a good idea to come and show their support for Vermillion. “I thought it was really moving,” she said. “It was just really powerful, everything that was said tonight, and the lights especially.” Carolyn Prentice, another attendee, has been a resident of Vermillion for more than 11 years. “I think this is a really important thing, just to stand forward and… show people support, that we care,” she said. Anis encouraged everyone to display a green light somewhere on their homes as an ongoing symbol of support and acceptance. “We would like everyone to continue participation by lighting a green light somewhere visible on their doors and kind of carry that message that we are a safe community and we are a safe space and Vermillion will continue to be that accepting community that it is,” she said. Bellis said she wanted the night to be special, to mean something. “And I think it did,” she said.
College of Arts & Sciences dean to leave university for Gettysburg Foundation Rachel Newville
Rachel.Newville@coyotes.usd.edu
Matthew Moen, the dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at USD, was named the new president of the Gettysburg Foundation. Moen has been at USD since 2002. He will begin his new position in March 2017. Provost and vice president for academic affairs, Jim Moran and PresMOEN ident James Abbott both stated how thankful they were for Moen’s time at USD in a Dec. 1 news release.
“We are very grateful to dean Moen for the many contributions he has made to the University of South Dakota during his time here,” Moran said. “His leadership and dedication to academic excellence have significantly impacted our university community and our students. His commitment to the liberal arts has helped to make USD a stronger institution.” Abbott said Moen “has been a tremendous dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.” “He is nationally recognized with his leadership positions in the New England Political Science Association (NEPSA) and Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences (CCAS). His new
“
We are very grateful to dean Moen for the many contributions he has made to the University of South Dakota during his time here. Jim Moran, Provost
position is a wonderful opportunity that combines both his leadership talents and his passion for a liberal arts education. I wish him all the best with thanks for his contribu-
tions to USD,” he said. The Gettysburg Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, maintains the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, as well
as educates visitors about the battle. “I’m so pleased to join the Gettysburg community and to have the opportunity to advance the important work of the Gettysburg Foundation,” Moen said in a news release. “The battlefield represents the most intensive military conflict in the history of the North American continent, followed by President Lincoln’s marvelous words of healing and inspiration in the Gettysburg Address. In that same spirit, we will continue to honor the legacy of sacrifice, while also educating our citizens about the importance of political civility at this time in our nation’s history.”