Open Forum

South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn addressed the senate on Monday regarding an update on the master plan for ‘Pathway to Premier 2030’ and the university’s goal of becoming a R1: Doctoral Universities (very high research activities).

“They are kind of mundane and you may not think about it too much, but as part of our strategic planning process, it has multiple parts to it,” Dunn said. “Pathway to Premier is the idea to where we’re going, but there’s some real nuts and bolts that we need to get done and one of them is a master plan which dictates over the next 10 or 15 plus years and priorities we would have as a university for buildings or roads or constructions.”

Dunn further elaborated on being in contact with a nationally recognized local firm in Sioux Falls to lay out the plan, incorporating the idea of having a South Dakota connection and alumni as a part of the firm.

According to Dunn, the allocation of resources for half of MNR (maintenance and repair funds) and half of bond payments would eventually contribute to funding of new buildings, both housing and classes.

“I think the thing that has emerged as a part of the pathway to premier is the access to campus being really difficult during game day,” Dunn said. “So I think access to campus is our biggest problem I think, to make that big step of way-finding and just the feel of entering campus.”

Remodeling of buildings on campus was an additional issue brought up by senators. Dunn explained his stance through examples of buildings like Yeager Hall and Hilton M. Briggs library.

“I think the first floor of Yeager Hall looks a little industrial [reference to the printing lab],” Dunn said. “We need to move offices there and that’s the kind of remodeling we’re looking at because we don’t need an industrial function in the heart of campus, but we need you and your faculty to have access easily.”

Dunn spoke on the Larson remodeling that was scheduled to take place earlier this summer. He explained the massive scale of remodeling needed that delayed in acquiring extra revenue. However, he hopes to have the project started in summer 2025.

“In the auxiliary system, we have to spend about 2% of the revenue we receive on maintenance and repair,” Dunn said. “So finishing Grove Hall is next and then we would look at Young and Binnewies Hall would be on the plan.”

Dunn proceeded to inform the senate about nearing the end date of the capital campaign ‘Bold & Blue’ on April 24. The amount raised for the campaign will be unveiled and around $17 million worth of scholarships would be awarded from next year. He also urged students to attend the party near the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center (PAC) to celebrate the occasion on April 24.

“Part of it is to show gratitude to those who have given that much money and the other part is to just feel the energy and excitement of what has been done,” Dunn said.

Dunn also asked the senate to have confidence in the Board of Regents (SDBOR) with their decision-making and policies put in place. Lastly, he informed the senate about switching to R1 university and how enormous a step would it be, considering the time span.

“It’s like going D1 in athletics, but on the academics side,” Dunn said. “We know we can do it, but it’s going to take a lot of work and we need additional funds from the state of South Dakota, but that would be our goal.”

Student Organization Reports

Senators listened to student organization reports from Latin American Student Association (LASA) and KSDJ radio. Senators also approved the constitution of the Ping Pong Club.

LASA provides a support system to Latin students at SDSU, the campus community and people interested in learning about Latin culture. LASA also hosts events in collaboration with other student organizations within the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility (OMAA) such as Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Black Student Alliance (BSA) and International Dance Crew (IDC).

KSDJ radio is a student-run radio station by students in the School of Communications and Journalism (COJO), but open to all students. The KSDJ radio can be accessed by tuning into the 90.7 frequency and covers almost all of Brookings County.

KSDJ currently consists of 10 students and have previously collaborated with the University Program Council (UPC) to host the Mayday Music Festival. Broadcast of KSDJ involves live shows, podcasts and home athletic games.

The Ping Pong Club aims to create an environment for students to learn, practice and play ping-pong. They also aim to host tournaments at SDSU and allow members to compete in tournaments against other colleges. They aim to join the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA).

The Ping Pong Club currently consists of seven members but has an additional 15 to 20 students who have shown interest in joining the club.

Unfinished Business

Senators voted on Resolution 23-8-R. The resolution stated the introduction of House Bill 1022 was to make an appropriation for a sum of $6 million to the Department of Education to provide professional development in literacy to teachers, and to declare an emergency.

Government Affairs Chair Michael Garofalo informed the senate that the bill had been backed by Secretary of Education for the state of South Dakota, Joseph Graves and that it would give students the educational tools they need to prosper academically. The resolution was taken to a roll call and approved.

Senators also voted on Commemoration 23-7-C. The SA commemorated February of 2024 as Black History Month and encouraged students to engage with events commemorating the Black History Month.

Communications Chair Hannah Dayaget and Sen. Rylee Sabo for College of Nursing asked the senate to support the commemoration and encouraged them to take part in events organized.

New Business

Head of General Activity Fee (GAF) Strategic Planning Committee Blake Pulse presented a draft of the GAF strategic plan that would determine funds distributed to various entities within SDSU for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2030.

While no changes have been made to the overall GAF amount, various entities would receive cuts or additions to their budget. While the Union would see changes to credit amount in FY 2026, addition of funds have been observed for the Rabbit Ride program and the Miller Wellness Center. FY 2027 will observe an increase in budget for the Wellness Center in regard with bond payments. No significant changes would take place after FY 2027.

The GAF strategic plan would observe students voting for or against the plan later. Vice President Hayden Bentz and Chief of Staff Benjamin Connor lauded President Trinity Peterson, Pulse and senators for their contribution to the planning GAF since May 2023.

Resolution 23-9-R was introduced to seek SA support for Senate Bill 45. The bill would appropriate a sum of nearly $6.1 million to BOR for the purpose of establishing a Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology. The resolution is scheduled to be voted on at the next meeting.

The senate also closed the slate for President and Vice President nominations after noticing no nominees for three straight SA meetings, making both Peterson and Bentz the only nominees for the respective positions.