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Jon Schemmel Appointed As USD’s New Athletic Director Jon Schemmel has been appointed as AD and has created a new position for former Interim AD Corey JenSee Page 6 kins.
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USD’s Media & Journalism Department Mourns The Loss of Charles “Chuck” Baldwin, Former Advisor to The Volante.
See Pages 2-3
Campus Activities Board Presents Their Plans For Future Programing to The Student Government Association. For a Recap of Their Presentation See Page 3.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 THE VOLANTE
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Media & Journalism Department Mourns Former Faculty Member Zadya Abbott
Zadya.Abbott@coyotes.usd.edu
Charles “Chuck” Baldwin stepped on USD’s campus in 2007 as the first full-time Journalist in Residence within the Al Neuharth Media and Journalism Department. Baldwin died Dec. 17, at the age of 70. He is survived by his son Joshua “Josh” Baldwin, as well as the students and colleagues who remember him fondly. “To his colleagues, students, mentees, and everyone at USD teaching journalism was one of the great loves of his life. He cared deeply for you all,” said Josh Baldwin. Before teaching at USD and becoming advisor to The Volante, Baldwin spent 35 years as an award-winning career journalist, including years as a reporter for the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, SD. Current Media & Journalism Department Chair Michelle Van Maanen Ed.D., remembers her colleague as a “reporter’s reporter.” She commended Baldwin for his passion in defense of freedom of speech, specifically in the case of college campus student media. “He’s had a huge impact,” said Van Maanen. “We have people all over the na-
tion who were taught by Chuck Baldwin, and I think that’s a great thing because if they took away even a few ounces of the passion, and the energy and the ethical practices that he taught, then that’s a really good thing for the public.” The impact of the 11 years Baldwin spent as a teacher and advisor within the department has not gone uncredited by USD alumni. For this piece, this reporter was able to listen and quote students that recall everything from Baldwin’s authenticity in the classroom to his signature gray pony-tail. “I certainly wouldn’t have a career in journalism without him, I know that,” said Joe Sneve, Co-Founder of The Dakota Scout. “A true credit to his profession, Chuck was an asset to our program and a role model for us all. He taught me the importance of integrity in journalism, and how to spot a buried lede from a mile away,” said Kelly Kronaizl, Office Manager at the Vermillion Plain Talk. For some students Chuck Baldwin was a staple throughout the entirety of their time at USD as well as during their post-graduation career. “He was one of the first people I met
The Volante Mission Statement The Volante covers issues relevant and interesting to USD students. Faculty, staff and community members are welcome readers, but the newspaper is written and presented for a diverse community of students from the students’ point of view. The paper should provide a variety of information, entertainment and educational opportunities for the readers. The Volante encourages everyone to write letters to the editor. The Volante wishes to be viewed by students as respectable, objective, accurate, fair and trustworthy. If you have comments, concerns or questions, please contact The Volante at 677-5494. The Volante is distributed Wednesdays during the academic year free of charge locally with the cost of $1 for each additional copy. One year subscription rates are $40, which solely covers the mailing costs. The Volante does not endorse, promote or encourage the purchase or sale of any prpoduction service advertised in this paper. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Volante disclaims all liability for any damage suffered as the result of any advertisement in this newspaper. The Volante reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
when I toured USD as a prospective student,” said Jackie Hendry, Host of SDPB’s South Dakota Focus. “...When things were especially difficult in 2020, years after I’d moved to Sioux Falls, and I wrote on Facebook about second-guessing my career, he sent me a series of emails with encouragement and jokes and his reflections on journalism. He told me he’d pray for me, and [that he] supported me no matter what I chose. I’ve looked back on those emails countless times over the years.” The impact of Baldwin’s lessons were not exclusive to his USD students. For twelve years he was involved with the Crazy Horse Journalism Workshop. The program held at Crazy Horse Memorial was designed under the purpose of fostering the interest of Indigenous Youth in media careers. “He had such a tremendous heart and so much compassion especially for those students that might be bothered by the public or society in general,” said Professor Janet Davison Ph.D. Baldwin’s son has announced a celebration of life scheduled for this spring. “One of the wonderful things that came out of the Anita Whitney case, I think in the early 1920s, was the message that the
Submitted | SDPB
Charles Baldwin, a former M&J faculty member passed away Dec. 17.
way you react to unpopular ideas is not silence but more ideas. More speech not less speech,” said Charles Baldwin on the importance of uncensored student media in a 2018 interview with SDPB.
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Editor in Chief Charles Streeter Managing Editor Juliana Oltmanns News Editor Marissa Brunkhorst News Assistant Jacob Peirce Verve Editor Nathan DeGreef Sports Editor Trevan Rychlik Head Designer Julianna Oltmanns Sports Designer Tavin Carncross Advertising Manager Ella Delperdang Assistant Advertising Manager Madeline Knau
January 24, 2024 www.volanteonline.com Email Volante@usd.edu
Al Neuharth Media Center 555 N. Dakota St. University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 Adviser Janet Davison
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 THE VOLANTE
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CAB Calls for New Events and Collaboration Marissa Brunkhorst
Marissa.Brunkhorst@coyotes.usd.edu
One week ago today marked a year since the last annual Campus Activities Board (CAB) Concert. The Sanford Coyote Sports Center hosted 24K Golden to a considerably smaller crowd than previous years. Today, there is no answer to whether or not they will host another concert this year. CAB currently receives the largest amount of money appropriated from SGA out of all student organizations. To host last year’s concert, the bBoard allegedly overspent their budget, leading CAB to seek further funding from the Dean of Students to ensure that the artist was paid. That year, the organization was allocated $99,000. This year, the group saw a cut of $4,850 in SGA allocated funds. Student organizations are funded through the General Activity Fee (GAF), which is paid by students through their tuition. For every credit hour registered, a student pays $55.30 in GAF. The Student Government Association (SGA) then determines how that money is distributed to its student organizations. Organizations can make requests for special appropriations and exemptions should they need
more funds, or to use funds that don’t align with SGA’s fiscal guidelines. At SGA’s second meeting of the year, CAB requested an exemption to put on a “CAB Casino Night.”. SGA voted in favor of that exemption. With no reported plans for a CAB concert, CAB laid out other plans for its programming. In their recent report to SGA, they asked for collaboration with other student organizations and clubs. “We’re blessed with the budget that we have, we are more than willing to partner with other organizations to expand their impact on campus,” CAB Vice President Sam Anderson said. SGA President Caleb Swanson said SGA has seen an increase in requests for special appropriations from a number of organizations. The General Activity Fee hasn’t been changed since 2020, whenre it saw an 80 cent increase. “Essentially, due to a lack of increase in the General Activity Fee, SGA has seen some budget cuts, and we’ve had more student organizations coming to us for funding,” he said. The cost to host successful events has also skyrocketed, due to inflation. Swanson said the cost of hosting a concert has
increased significantly. “From my understanding, in order for them (CAB) to host a concert that would actually be something students enjoy and want to attend, it would take a significant stab into SGA’s budget,” Swanson said. CAB’s concert dilemma could be part of a broader issue in Board of Regents schools, according to Swanson. “There have been other SDBOR (South Dakota Board of Regents) uUniversities that have expressed concern over a lack of an increase in GAF funding,” he said. USD is currently in a tuition freeze, a measure supported by last year’s legislature. The General Activity Fee is separate from the tuition freeze. In order to receive any increase in GAF, there must be a campaign led by students or SGA members. Students who are interested in raising General Activity Fees to support student organizations are able to petition to SGA. According to SGA bylaws, GAF fees are reviewed by an SGA- appointed General Activity Fee Committee. That committee will make recommendations falling in linefalling line with both SGA’s bylaws and USD’s policies. “I think that we [SGA] will eventually have to raise GAF fees if we want to con-
tinue what we are doing now, or what we have done in the past,” Swanson said. The CAB Concert is known among students new and old and is advertised on campus tours to prospective Coyotes as a major highlight of the USD experience. Freshman Morgan Moeller recalls the discussion of the concert among older students. “I would be disappointed if we didn’t have a concert, because so many people have talked about it and said it was one of their favorite memories,” she said. Another student, Sophomore Wilton Roberts, attended the concert last year. He also described his disappointment. “I enjoyed the concert a lot last year, it was a very good experience. I was excited to go and to know who would be performing,” he said. While it’s still unknown what exactly happened to the CAB concert, the Board is looking forward to its future, the group’s President Jennica Pitts said in a statement to The Volante. As of now, CAB has multiple events planned in partnership with other organizations, none of which include a concert.
Marissa Brunkhorst | The Volante 24KGoldn performed at last year’s CAB Concert in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 THE VOLANTE
AI Classroom Policy Left For USD Faculty to Decide Jacob Pierce
Jacob.Pierce@coyotes.usd.edu
Last year, one of the biggest worries of educators on USD’s main campus was the use of AI programs by students. This year, AI regulations were added to the syllabi of many classes all across campus. Now that more faculty have begun familiarizing themselves with the capabilities made available by AI, some professors are beginning to treat AI as a tool similar to other highly used websites and sources. Dr. Kurt Hackemer, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Provost and professor said that AI is in a very formative state. Hackemer mentioned that faculty want to see how their classes can benefit from it. “The consensus among the faculty is that AI is changing so fast, that the faculty would prefer to have the freedom to experiment to figure out how to use this as a tool in their classrooms,” Hackemer said. In the coming years, it may be possible for students to specialize their studies in AI at USD with new programs that would entirely be focused around the technology’s usage. “We have curriculum proposals moving forward right now, the Beacom School of Business for example, is coming up with specializations and degree programs that are all about AI,” Hackemer said. Hackemer says that in AI’s current state of development, there is no need for a policy on AI, as anything that can be done with it falls under the umbrella of various different policies already set in place.
He believes that a lack of one overall policy gives faculty the necessary freedom to utilize the tools in however they feel works best for their class, whether that be a large role or none at all. “There are some classes on campus where AI is banned entirely and others where it is encouraged,” Hackemer said. Aidan Kellen, a student at USD, said that none of his classes have made the switch to AI yet, and they all ban the usage of such tools. “Every class that I have had, on the first day it was made clear to us that AI is not to be used in any way,” Kellen said. Dr. Travis Loof, a professor at USD, says AI is a great tool that will continue to grow in classes across campus. “Ultimately, in my classes at USD, we will keep slowly integrating AI as long as we keep what is important at the center of any decision about how to use it, what is important is keeping humans at the center of any decision,” Loof said. Loof introduces students to AI tools early on, so they learn the skills he deems as necessary skills. Tools that, for many, are unfamiliar to students. “In the second week of classes, all of my students write an AI use policy for our class using AI. This is a great activity that helps students understand all of the potential of AI, as well as how much AI can get wrong,” Loof said. While the use of AI continues to vary across USD’s campus, it is currently left to faculty to decide how they use it in their classroom.
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New Drag Bill Introduced in House Marissa Brunkhorst
Marissa.Brunkhorst@coyotes.usd.edu
While only three weeks into the 2024 Legislative Session, bills affecting higher education are already being introduced. House Bill 1113 is a bill that would ban lewd and lascivious conduct on Board of Regents campuses. Last session, a similar bill was written in response to a drag show by the Gender and Sexualities Alliance student group at SDSU. That bill was struck down. The new bill comes after a letter from Governor Noem to the Board of Regents at the end of session last year, where she
supported a ban of drag shows on campuses. In her letter, she claimed that theories about gender expression cannot be accepted as truth and instead, they must be debated, not celebrated. In the same letter, the Governor also wrote in favor of free speech and expression, citing that colleges and universities should “review and revise all policies that may infringe on student’s right to free speech”. Currently, only two states explicitly restrict drag performances; Montana and Tennessee. If passed, the bill could affect not only drag shows, but certain fine arts productions that include content the bill targets.
File Photo | The Volante This is the second legislative session where a bill about lewd, lascivious content was introduced and read. This would affect the ability for student organizations to host drag shows on campus.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 THE VOLANTE
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Heavy Snow and Freezing Temperatures Topple The Start of a New Semester Jacob Pierce
Jacob.pierce@coyotes.usd.edu
Over the course of the last two weeks, Vermillion has been hit with multiple feet of snow and subzero temperatures. This blast of winter weather has caused many problems for students, faculty, and staff on USD’s main campus. The first day of classes for the Spring 2024 semester was scheduled for January 8. However for many students, it was impossible to get to class in the winter conditions. On that Monday and Tuesday, Vermillion received over 10.5 inches of snow. The USD Vice President of Facilities Management, Brian Limoges, said that the amount of snow made it difficult for his team to remove the snow effectively. “There’s been lots of challenges, because of the amount of snow that we got, we started to run out of places that we could pile the snow,” Limoges said. “So we had to start piling snow in parking lots and other places. Then we were working late last week to try and get those piles moved off of campus and into some grass areas so we could open up those parking lots again.” Snow wasn’t Limoges’ only problem as the wind chill caused temperatures to drop to a low of -43℉. This made it even more challenging for Limoges’ team to get the snow removed. “Temperature wise, nothing works well when it’s cold, we had a lot more breakdowns and problems in rooms from the freezing cold weather,” Limoges said. Many students felt that the snow re-
moval was not done well, and that the poor plowing made it difficult to get to their destinations across campus. “A better job could be done in our university’s parking lots. It’s tough for people, especially those who don’t live close to home who can’t call a parent to help them get out and may not have immediate access to a shovel,” said one USD student. “If there is nothing more that can be done by maintenance, more help from the RA desk would be nice, like more shovels. Also, the university could get more outside help if need be or hire part time employees just for the winter season.,” the student also said. Limoges understands that there was a difficulty for students and has an idea on how to make the campus more clear of snow next year. “I think in the future it would be nice to work on coordinating efforts to get students to move cars when we get this amount of snow, so that we can actually get into the parking spots to push and move the snow out,” he said. During the snow fall, Limoges’ team went to clear lots initially, having to return days later to finish clearing the parking lots due to poor weather conditions. “That doesn’t help remove the snow between the cars, which I know was difficult for students,” Limoges said. He said Facilities Management hopes to try a different approach when the next major snow event happens so as to prevent further issues from happening down the road.
Jozie Kumm | The Volante Following the snow storm that cancelled a day of classes, many students were left to dig out their cars.
Sports
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023 THE VOLANTE
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New Athletic Director Announced for USD Athletics Trevan Rychik
Trevan.Rychlik@coyotes.usd.edu
USD has finished their months long search for a new athletic director. On Dec. 20, it was announced that Jon Schemmel would be the 14th Athletic Director (AD) for USD. Schemmel previously worked for USD as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development from 2012-2017. Before returning to Vermillion, Schemmel worked in Mitchell as the President, CEO and Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Dakota State University’s (DSU) Foundation & Alumni Association. Schemmel didn’t think that he would be leaving DSU until he did. “This was probably the one job that would have really enticed me to leave where I was at. President Gestring is a big part of that, I’m a big believer in her. I know her belief and vision in college athletics is second to none as far as being a president and a leader on a campus, and that isn’t always the case,” Schemmel said. Schemmel wasn’t under the impression that he would ever be back in athletics when he went to work for DSU, but it gave him a new perspective towards athletics at the university level. “I think when I took the job at DSU, I probably fig-
ured my career in athletics may be over. I think coming to realize how valuable that was, to see an entire university operate from a very different perspective, not with just your athletics blinders on,” Schemmel said. “You understand when in athletics it is appropriate for them to be in the front and when it’s time for us to serve and be in the back.” Schemmel felt many emotions as he went through the hiring process. “You feel all the emotions right? It’s exciting, it’s nerve-wracking. One minute you think you’re the one, the next minute you’re convinced you’re not. And that basically goes on for weeks,” Schemmel said. On Jan. 2, Schemmel finally started working for the University, taking over for interim AD Corey Jenkins. Since then Schemmel has promoted Jenkins to the Deputy Athletic Director position. Schemmel said that it was 100% his decision to put Jenkins in this position. Schemmel knew he needed someone who would be able to run the department as much as him when he steps away from the office. “I’m going to be out on the road. That’s what I do best, and I’m going to continue to do that. So with that, I need someone running the department and he’s already proven he can do that,” Schemmel said. Jenkins did apply for the Athletic Director position but was unfortunately not selected, however, he
is ecstatic about the opportunity he has been given by Schemmel. “Thrilled about the opportunity that Jon has given me to step into the position of Deputy Athletic Director… I am very excited and I love the university of South Dakota,” Jenkins said. “Excited to continue to serve our university, our community and certainly our student-athletes and coaches. To be able to step into this role is very exciting for me both personally and professionally.” Jenkins and Schemmel met throughout the process of moving Schemmel into his position and both agreed that they clicked right away. A large reason for their instant connection is the fact that they both have big plans for the university. “The grand plan or vision is to push us forward,” Jenkins said. “I think one of the reasons Jon and I clicked is because we are both highly ambitious beings and we both believe that USD athletics hasn’t scratched the surface of its potential, so I think the future is very bright and I think there is a lot that we are going to do over the next couple of months and years.” With Schemmel and Jenkins taking over the athletic department the, university can look forward to the changes made by them together.
Submitted | USD Athletics South Dakota announced on Dec. 20 that Jon Schemmel will be the 14th athletic director in the school’s history. This hiring came after former athletic director David Herbster resigned from the position.
Sports
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Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 7
The Bruns’ Brotherly Connection on the Coyotes Trevan Rychik
Trevan.Rychlik@coyotes.usd.edu
Just like in high school, USD’s junior guard Paul Bruns and freshman guard Issac Bruns are playing for the same team. Before the duo arrived at USD, the Summit League had already been made aware of the Bruns family name. As Paul originally played for the North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks out of Grand Forks during his freshman year of college. During his time at UND, Paul averaged 14.8 points per game, helping him to win the Summit League’s Newcomer of the Year Award in 2022. Despite his substantial first season, Paul decided to enter the transfer portal choosing to relocate to USD. This further created conversation amongst both coaches and fans regarding the Bruns name. During his first season coming off the bench for the Coyotes, Paul averaged a total of 8.9 points per game. It was also throughout the course of this season this Issac committed to play alongside his older brother and Head Coach Eric Peterson. Originating from North Sioux City the Bruns broth-
ers had been coming to watch Coyote games long before they began playing for USD themselves. “I came to watch that (college) level of basketball and looked up to those guys and wanted to be that good someday,” Isaac said. The Bruns brothers have since made it to the collegiate level, working together to live out their once childhood dreams. “It’s cool to be able to play together for sure,” Paul said. “(We) tried to be the best we could be and it just kinda worked out.” They have never forgotten where they came from, the brothers frequently visit their home as it is only a short drive away from USD’s campus, allowing them to see family and old friends often. “We’re able to have lots of friends and family come see us not being too far away,” Paul said. “We have two younger brothers as well, so we get to go back and see them play as well.” The Bruns’ currently combine for 17 points and six rebounds per game. Coyote fans will certainly be seeing more of this brother duo assist one another and their team on the court.
Sydney Kolln | The Volante Junior guard Paul Bruns is currently in his second season with the Coyotes where he is averaging 9.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Coyote Named Player to Watch in Women’s Tennis Trevan Rychik
Trevan.Rychlik@coyotes.usd.edu
USD tennis player Bea Havlickova has been listed as a Summit League Player to Watch for the spring 2024 season. Havlickova believes that this distinction is not only a result of her last year’s season, but also a result of the hard work she put in throughout the offseason. “It means a lot because when I am not at USD I work a lot,” Havlickova said. Havlickova is one of seven athletes selected to the Preseason Watch List with one player from each team within the Summit League. This is the first time that Havlickova has been named on the Watch List after being selected as a first-team All-Summit League player during the 2023 tennis season. The Coyotes have been selected to finish in second place in the preseason polls behind the Denver Pioneers. Havlickova believes in her team and thinks that they have a good chance of making it far this season. “Lots of freshmen joined the team this year so we have a lot of excitement and it feels better, like we can go far (in the Summit League). I really like the girls and it is really important for me to feel comfortable,” Havlickova said. Feeling comfortable is exactly what made USD so appealing to Havlickova
as she was deciding what college to attend, however it wasn’t only the girls on the team that made it easy for her in making that decision, as head coach Brett Barnett also played a big part of that. “Coach Brett Barnett is the main reason I came here. I can always share stuff with him and he is really good and I liked him in our greeting call,” Havlickova said. Despite Havlickova’s liking to USD, she does sometimes miss her home team throughout the offseason. She’s from Louny, Czech Republic and often doesn’t garner the same social aspects with the Coyotes as she would at home. “Not many teams play overseas so it feels much different to have the team’s support,” Havlickova said. While not knowing what the future holds for Havlickova she doesn’t try to worry about what is to come as she is busy putting her focus on this season. “I would say after college I would not want to go professional, so I want to put all my efforts into my last two years in college. I don’t want to disappoint my coaches so I want to give it my all in practice,” Havlickova said. Havlickova has posted a record of 26-19 in single matches in her two years in a Coyotes jersey, and she is hoping to further improve that record during this season for the Coyotes.
Sports Former QB at Center of Documentary
The Volante
Jacob Peirce
Jacob.Peirce@coyotes.usd.edu
Chris Streveler, former USD quarterback, stars in a new documentary being created by Bernard Productions. The documentary follows Streveler’s journey from adolescence all the way through his career in the NFL and to the present day. The documentary begins following Streveler when he got his first start playing football as a quarterback at Marian Catholic High School (MCHS) in Woodstock, Ill. After graduating from MCHS, he went on to play at the University of Minnesota for three years, where he primarily took on the position of wide receiver, only playing as the quarterback as a back up when needed. Streveler then went on to play at USD for two seasons as the team’s primary quarterback. He led the team to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs in 2017. Following his college graduation, Streveler began playing in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he and his team won the Grey Cup, the CFL equivalent to the NFL Super Bowl. After his time spent playing in the CFL he moved on to play in the NFL, where he played as a quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. Streveler later moved on to play for the New York Jets as a third string quarterback. Following a set of injuries by the team’s first and second string quarterbacks, Streveler got his chance to shine for one game as the starting quarterback for the Jets. Although the Jets lost that game, the team and fans saw a spark in Streveler, leading them to follow along with his statistics in his upcoming seasons. Unfortunately due to a hand injury, Streveler was waived from the Jets in 2023 and is not currently playing for any team, despite his many workouts and meetings with other NFL teams. Streveler currently lives in Arizona where he runs a program called “Ground Up,” where he and his business partner Trey Anderson share their knowledge of the game with young quarterbacks across the nation. Over his career Streveler played in nine games, recorded 27 pass completions, over 40 total pass attempts for 231 yards, one interception and one touchdown. Streveler let teams know that he is working at getting back into the NFL at the age of 29 by posting pictures of himself throwing a football on Instagram with the caption “I’m still at it.” The documentary has a run time of 25 minutes and can be found on YouTube, under the name “The Story of Chris Streveler | A Quarterback’s Documentary.”
Submitted | USD Athletics Former South Dakota quarterback Chris Streveler stars in a new documentary. The film follows Streevler’s story throughout his childhood to where he is today.
Wednesday, January 24, 2023 | 8
Opinion
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024
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Spring Rush Week: Men Should Give it a Chance Griffin Petersen
Griffin.Petersen@coyotes.usd.edu
For over 120 years, fraternities have been some of the most recognizable student-led organizations at USD. Beginning in the early 1900s, chapter houses began to spring up as USD established itself as the state’s flagship university., USDand fraternity life has since grown to include seven different fraternities on our campus as we head into 2024 Spring Rush 2024. Despite their long history on campus, fraternities at USD are facing somewhat of an existential crisis. The latest male enrollment numbers from the USD Student Information System paint this picture very clearly. Male undergraduate enrollment overall has fallenfell by 7% from 2019 to 2023, and fraternity recruitment declined by 27% as a result. In fact, Fall Rush 2023 was the first year that less than 100 total men went through formal recruitment. Based on these numbers, one thing remains abundantly clear—men make up smaller and smaller portions of USD’s student population every year. While
thisey may not be as large of a concern for the university as a whole, these declining male enrollment numbers will make fraternity recruitment much more challenging as the years go on. USD’s small and shrinking male population isn’t the only reason why fraternity recruitment continues to fall, as however. A full 84% of the existing male population at USD is not part of a fraternity. Our fraternity chapters work hard to recruit good, quality members, but. But, at the end of the day, they are reliant on the willingness of potential new members. to buy what they are selling and join their brotherhood. I point all these troubling statistics out not because I want to paint our fraternities in a negative light. If I did, I would find myself out of a job very quickly. I make note of them because I think it is unfortunate that so many USD men choose to opt out of the recruitment process despite all of the great things that Greek Life has to offer students from all walks of life. Fraternities at USD are more than just glorified party clubs. Their mem-
bers form lifelong bonds of brotherhood and establish amazing connections with alumni, many of whom rank among some of the most successful people to have ever graduated from our university. Students that join fraternities can discover new leadership opportunities by serving on executive boards, save money on housing, be eligible for up to thousands of dollars in scholarships, and have access to academic support services along withand peer mentoring. Most importantly, fraternities positively impact their communities through regular service activities and raise thousands of dollars a year for national nonprofits like Feeding South Dakota, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the Heartland HumaneHuman Society. The fraternity that I am a part of, Lambda Chi Alpha, is a prime example of how USD Greek Life can add to your college experience. We give out nearly $30,000 in scholarships every year, consistently achieve one of the highest chapter GPAs on campus, and boast a network of over 1,900 alumni that includes four4 former South Dakota
The Volante Charles Streeter, editor-in-chief Juliana Oltmanns, managing editor
EDITORIAL BOARD
Trevan Rychlik, sports editor
CONTACT US The Volante welcomes letters to the editor in regards to campus, local, state and national issues. Letters will be edited for clarity and length and will be printed as space allows. Please limit letters to 300 words or fewer. The Volante reserves the right to hold letters for publication in a later issue. Submissions must include the author’s name, address, telephone number, year in school and major or job title. Letters must be exclusively for The Volante. We will not publish anonymous letters. Fax to: 605.677.5105 Email to: volante@coyotes. usd.edu Via our website:
Griffin Petersen is a sophomore at USD majoring in political science and criminal justice. He serves as the Public Relations Chair of the Interfraternity Council, External Vice President of Lambda Chi Alpha, and as an SGA Senator for the College of Arts & Sciences.
OVERHEARDS
Here you’ll find the weirdest, funniest and stupidest things we’ve heard during the week. Context is for suckers.
Nathan DeGreef, verve editor
THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887
Send letters to: Al Neuharth Media Center 555 N. Dakota St. Vermillion, S.D. 57069
governors, three3 U.S. Representatives, a U.S. Senator, and four South Dakota Supreme Court Justices. On top of all that, we have a new $3.5 million chapter house that is going up just as I write this piece. In short, our fraternities offer some of the best ways for young men to maximize their potential here at USD. While many negative stereotypes are often associated with fraternities in general, the fact of the matter is that USD Greek Life is the gold standard for what fraternal living should look like. As the start of Spring Rush week approaches on January 29,th, all of USD’s unaffiliated men, regardless of their grade or major, should give fraternity life a chance. It could be a lot of fun and it might just change your life for the better.
The deadline for letters is 5 p.m. the Friday prior to publication. Letters must be typed and fewer than 300 words.
“I brought a Gatorade cup of beet juice” - OLC. “I thought it was a fucking Drake song for a second and I screamed” -Coyote Village “I’d be at his door, on the ground, crying screaming throwing up” -MUC “It’s too horny it’s too crazy it’s too real” -MUC
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 10 Opinion USD College Democrats Fight for Gun Control
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Sam Markley is a sophomore majoring in history education Mohamed Mohamed is a junior majoring in political science.
In the ongoing discussion about gun safety, the USD College Democrats aim to advocate for a stance that prioritizes safety without endorsing extreme measures like the militarization of our schools, something that has been proposed in the State Legislature. If passed, Senate Bill (SB) 34 would arm teachers throughout South Dakota. Our commitment to gun safety is rooted in the belief that we can protect lives while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners. It’s crucial to clarify that supporting gun safety doesn’t
mean undermining the Second Amendment. Instead, it represents a responsible and practical approach to addressing the concerning rates of gun violence in the United States.. Advocating for comprehensive reforms;focusing on measures such as background checks, mental health evaluations, and education on responsible gun ownership can help to create a safer environment without compromising the essential rights of law-abiding citizens. Acknowledging the diversity of perspectives on the issues sur-
rounding gun control is essential. By adopting a moderate stance, we open the door to bipartisan collaboration and constructive conversations leading to effective policy changes. In a politically charged environment, finding common ground is a strength that underscores our commitment to community well-being. Our approach is rooted in the values of inclusivity and fairness. Steering away from extreme measures would ensure that our advocacy resonates with a broad spectrum of individuals, fostering unity instead of division. Our
goal is not to alienate any group but to work collaboratively toward creating a safer society for everyone. In summary, USD College Democrats support a balanced approach to gun safety. We aim to find common ground that protects lives without infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners. By fostering a culture of open dialogue and compromise, we seek to contribute to the development of thoughtful and effective gun safety policies that reflect the diverse voices in our community.
USD College Republicans Against Gun Control
Samantha Gavette is a freshman majoring in political science and legal studies.
On behalf of the USD College Republicans, I come forward to oppose gun control. Currently, I am a first-year student at USD studying Political Science and Legal Studies while serving as Communications Director for USD CRs. Gun-related violence is caused by mental illness. In 2021, there were 48,830 gun-related deaths; 54% of gun-related deaths were suicides while 43% were murders. According to the FBI’s latest publishing in 2020, 13,620 murders were homicide or non-negligent manslaughter with the use of a gun.
It is our belief that individuals in the right state of mind would not intentionally contemplate the death of others or cause self-inflicted harm. As reported by Mental Health America, in the year 2022, 50 million Americans have some sort of mental illness which equates to about 20% of the population. The underlying issue behind the misuse of firearms is mental health. It is believed by many that gun-related deaths are a top cause of death in America, however, it is not even on the top ten list. The first most common cause of death is heart
disease with 695,547 deaths followed by Cancer with 609,213 deaths according to the CDC in 2021. Physical health is severely unrecognized as a concern in America. It is also key to note that gun safety is the issue, not gun control. Misusing a gun is severely irresponsible. Firearm mishandling leads to a lack of safety for an individual and society. It was admitted that over half of American gun owners improperly secure their guns. Gun owners should retain accountability such as proper handling, storage, maintenance, and usage. This is a personal
responsibility issue, however, that does not need unnecessary government oversight in everyday life. Policy and caucus agendas should focus on the bigger issues such as the health and wellbeing of American citizens. American citizens should take on the responsibility of gun safety and oppose letting the government regulate and control an aspect of everyday life. The idea of gun control is a dramatized political agenda, ignoring the more critical issues in America such as health and overall personal responsibility.
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When and Wear: How Students Feel About New Winter Trend Nathan DeGreef
Nathan.DeGreef@coyotes.usd.edu
Whether one loves them, hates them, or just tolerates them, there is no doubt that the UGG brand has taken over the slipper market. So much so that most people can’t walk into a room without seeing at least one person wearing some form of them. UGG began in the 1970s from an Australian surfer named Brian Smith. The company started marketing the shoes as a cozy beach boot in southern California. Today it is one of, if not, the most popular slipper/boot brand. There is a large number of students who can be seen on USD’s campus wearing some form of the Australian footwear, or some other alternative slipper. Especially now, as the fur lined shoes are seemably more appealing to wearers with the decreased temperatures. “I’ve seen them the most here at college,” said freshman Mara Lagge. “Everyone is wearing them I feel like.” Despite the brand’s popularity, there has been discourse in the past about how the shoe brand is not only overpriced but also unattractive, with many people using the brand name “UGG” as a play-on for “UGG”ly. However, this belief regarding the brand has fizzled recently, as there seems to be a resurgence of popularity for the comfortable shoe. “I think they’re worth every penny,” said freshman Luke Hunsberger. “They are made really well and they are comfy.” Most students find the slipper as a warm and stylish alternative to the traditional snow boot, as with some “preparation” the shoes can be fit to handle the difficult South Dakota weather. “They are 100% worth the hype, they do keep your feet 10 times warmer than the average boot,” said USD student Dakota Menkel. “If you use the water protection (spray) they will last you forever, all you have to do is water protect them.” The UGG Tasman slipper currently retails for $110, while other popular styles like the Classic Ul-
Nathan DeGreef | The Volante
tra Mini and Classic Mini II Boot range from $150 to $160. Due to the arguably high price, some students have found alternatives or in other terms “dupes” for the slipper. “I definitely do think the dupes are comparable to the actual shoe,” said student Calli Connors. “Especially because I feel like people are mostly getting the dupes to save money, like more people get the dupe than the real UGGs.” While some consider the UGG boot to be the “end-all and be-all” of the boot market, others believe that a boot is a boot and as long as it functions, that’s what matters. “Boots during this time of the year are nice,” said student Grady Harrington. “A cheap pair of boots are fine. I don’t see a reason to buy an expensive pair of UGGs.” Still, some find that the quality of the shoe justifies the price, and see the purchase of UGGs as an investment that will last them for years.
“I’ve had mine since freshman year of high school and I’m currently a sophomore in college,” said student Claire Emme. “They fit and feel as if they’re brand new.” Despite past or modern criticism towards the price or look of the shoe, it is undeniable that UGGs have become extremely popularized amongst college aged students. The velocity in which they are seen speaks directly to the public opinion of them as a product. UGGS seem to be everywhere because most people find them either comfortable, cute, trendy or all of the above. Whether or not they last in the public zeitgeist, is ultimately up for the culture to decide.
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Everyone who left... Jan. 12: Everyone who stayed at the dorms
Comics submitted by Dani DeVaney and Thea Naatjes The Volante accepts original comic submissions. To submit a comic, email nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
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