Members of the Students’ Association (SA) held an emergency meeting Friday to vote in opposition of a bill that would have removed an enhanced permit as a condition of carrying a concealed pistol while on South Dakota public higher education campuses.
House Bill 1133 was killed in a 9-6 vote in the House committee Monday, according to SA Government Affairs Chair Anna Hundt.
OPEN FORUM
Monday night’s SA meeting began with an address to the senators from interim Police Chief Michael Drake. Drake is providing leadership for the University Police Department (UPD) until SDSU hires a new chief.
When asked what practices and policies he plans to implement at UPD, Drake said he’s looking to be more professional, and concentrate on the “customer base.”
“I want to make sure that UPD, their culture fits with what you folks want, or what your family wants or what the staff wants here,” Drake said.
During his time as chief, Drake also said he aims to be transparent within the department’s communication.
“My communication standard as far as being the chief of police or representing a police agency is to be upfront and honest with folks,” Drake said. “Not because we have to meet standards or with Title IX, but because you should know what’s going on when something is happening in the halls, or on the side or within our campus community where that impacts you everyday.”
Drake is originally from New York state and moved to Brookings in 2022. He said his job in the Brookings Police Department and now UPD, has made him feel “rejuvenated.”
The 2026 Hobo Day Grand Pooba, Grace Barnett, also addressed the senate. Barnett has been involved with the Hobo Day Committee for the last three years, and said she’s excited to maximize the Hobo Gear Prep Night event during Hobo Week.
“We’re looking at doing a fun little twist on that, possibly doing some premade outfits, or possibly having different coordinators on the team compose an outfit that they choose,” Barnett said.
Hobo Day is set for Oct. 24, 2026.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
An additional 200 journals are available for free to SDSU students, Chief of Staff Emma Peterson said. The library committee signed an agreement, making the total number of journals available 1,300.
Peterson also reported that Briggs Library is now open at noon on Sundays instead of 1 p.m.
A new textbook guide is now available to students from the Wintrode Student Success Center.
“There is now a textbook guide since there are so many different ways for students to access their textbooks, whether it’s online or a physical textbook,” Peterson said.
There will be copies of the textbook guide available in the Students’ Association office, located on Main Street in the Student Union.
