State of the University Report

State of the University REPORT Administered by Student Government Association May 2018

Presented to USD President Sheila Gestring on August 6, 2018

by SGA President Josh Sorbe and VP Madison Green

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY President Gestring, During and after the search for the 18th President of the University of South Dakota, the Student Government Association found it fitting to conduct a “Student State of the University” survey to offer our new leader a glimpse at our university’s strengths and areas for improvement at this moment in our history from a student perspective. We sent an email with the link to the survey to every registered student through the Dean of Students’ account on May 8th and promoted the survey via social media.

Even though the presidential search and this survey concluded after the academic year when classes were not in session, we received detailed responses to the qualitative survey from every college and class standing at our university. The students that responded provided detailed testimony to their experiences at USD, offering valuable insight to our current operations.

Together, we reviewed and analyzed trends in student responses and compiled this report.

We offer this report to be a reference for future strategic planning and decision making. We thank you for your commitment to our university and its students, and look forward to beginning this new chapter of USD history under your leadership.

If you have any questions or further inquiries, feel free to contact us at our emails below.

Best,

Josh Sorbe

Madison Green

SGA President

SGA Vice President

josh.sorbe@coyotes.usd.edu

madison.green@coyotes.usd.edu

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STRENGTHS Question: “W hat have been the greatest successes seen by the univ ersity in recent history?”

Academics • Students believe that overall, research and grant opportunities are readily accessible and promoted throughout the university.

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The university possesses high caliber faculty. When combined with the small student-to-faculty ratio, the potential for strong mentorships is strong.

Athletics • Students believe that the transition to Division I athletics has helped distinguish USD as an elite institution.

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Athletic successes have been apparent – evidenced by football’s postseason run, track and field’s presence at the NCAA meets, and the regular season titles for basketball and volleyball.

Facilities • Students believe that with proactive investment in our facilities, campus beauty is improved and prominence is achieved. In particular, the MUC, Beacom School of Business, Sanford School of Medicine, Sanford Coyote Sports Center, Dakota Dome, and Wellness Center are highly functional and appealing.

Student Life • Students believe that the university offers superb career services and job preparation courses in the Writing Center, Beacom School of Business, and through faculty engagement.

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The university’s long-term response to last year’s sexual assault controversy through I CARE was substantive, although the immediate communications response could have been stronger and more strategic.

Sorority & Fraternity Life distinguish our university from others in the region, and continue to warrant adequate university support.

The ability to create and be involved in student organizations allows for professional development and networking.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT Question: “W hat do you believ e are the greatest areas of opportunity and/or improv ement at USD?”

Academics • Students would like to see commencement biannually. Many students graduate in after the fall semester, relocate for employment, and are unable to return to walk.

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While many colleges have seen significant fundraising, the funding in the College of Fine Arts has shown unable to provide students resources, supplies, and building improvements.

Long waitlists in intro courses (particularly first- and second-year science courses like Astronomy I & II, Biology, Chemistry) are common, which can harm a student’s ability to finish in four years. A possible remedy may be adding additional sections.

The ability to double major is particularly difficult across colleges. Look to crosslisting courses with the College of Arts & Sciences and other colleges to allow students more freedom when designing their education.

Some programs are viewed as “requirement heavy”, which prevents students from exploring other classes and disciplines; specifically, medical biology, graphic design, and business majors.

SI groups are very popular and help students understand course material. Expanding supplemental instruction not only benefits the students in the course, but provides employment opportunities for graduate students.

Facilities & Grounds • Students would like to see stronger sustainability initiatives campus-wide.

• On-campus parking, particularly A parking for commuter students, is not always guaranteed (even after purchasing a parking pass). Potential remedies for this issue would include converting some of the B lots into “AB” lots, as well as clarifying metered vs. guest parking at the MUC.

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While affirmative facility investment has shown to improve a program’s culture, not all programs have enjoyed that benefit. The Fine Arts building, Dakota Hall, law school, library, Native American Cultural Center, and testing center have facility restrictions that prevent the achievement of full academic potential.

5 Housing • The underclassman dorms are cited as a common reason for prospective students deciding to go to an institution other than USD. Investing in a renovation of Brookman Hall, North Complex, and Burgess/Norton Hall would improve USD’s marketability to new students.

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Dining services are increasingly incompatible with those with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian and vegan students.

Housing staff and Resident Assistants frequently turnover. In order to develop a community culture in the dorms, staff need to engage longer term.

Student Life • While Sorority & Fraternity Life is a staple to the university, students believe national rhetoric has put into question its support on USD’s campus. Students would like to see affirmative support for Greek students and resources for sustaining a chapter.

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Event promotion by the Dean of Students and Student Services employees helps to capture an audience for athletic events, but students would like to see the same efforts employed for other campus events as well – fine arts, student organizations, speakers, etc.

Students are increasingly willing to come forward about mental health issues and seek counseling; however, USD’s mental health services often result in wait-listing for 2-3 weeks at a time.

Students believe that sexual assault prevention training should be mandatory and held in-person on campus, with punitive actions taken if trainings are not completed.

Also, the university should have robust protocol for immediate communications response to sexual assault on and off campus.