Kristine Young

SDSU is full of people from all different lifestyles, cities, professions and education levels, and each year the numbers change.

The South Dakota Board of Regents releases a Fact Book each year of the different demographics at State. The book covers not only financial aid and enrollment, but also the different kinds of people and professors at SDSU.

The 2010 Fact Book has been released, revealing statistics that comprise the profile of what SDSU truly looks like.

For example, students may walk through campus and notice more females than males. This is because 52.8 percent of students at SDSU are females.

Greg ButzJunior Political Science Major

Greg Butz is part of the 47.2 percentage of male students on campus. He said he has noticed the larger population of females on campus.

“I have noticed there are more girls on campus, but it seems like all of them have boyfriends. They should probably break up with their boyfriends,” Butz said.

Butz says he came to SDSU because it is close to home and reasonably priced. He also likes Brookings and thinks it is a great college town with plenty to do.

“Overall my experience at SDSU has been pretty good and I have been able to get involved,” Butz said.

Capers, intramurals and being a Community Assistant in the residence halls are a few ways that Butz has been able to get involved throughout campus. He said he has been able to make a lot of friends from getting involved.

“I don’t think my time at SDSU would be as valuable if I wasn’t involved and able to meet people from all of the extracurricular activities I’m in,” Butz said. “I also like my classes and professors; they have definitely helped to make my experience on campus what it is.”

However, Butz said parking and living on campus have negatively affected his experience on campus. He said there aren’t enough commuter parking spots and living on campus is expensive.

Carly GriffinFreshman Pre-Pharmacy Student

Carly Griffin is one of the 52.8 percentage of females on campus.

“I notice the larger number of females in my classes, but I don’t really notice it in the dorms or anywhere else,” Griffin said.

Griffin said she was disappointed to learn about the difference in the male to female ratio because that means fewer dating options for females.

Griffin came to SDSU because of the pharmacy program and because she thinks Brookings is the perfect size. She says she also enjoys the atmosphere at SDSU.

“It’s just a very friendly place and you can walk down the street and people will smile at you,” Griffin said.

SDSU has a place for everyone and there is always someone to help when you need it, she says.

“All of the staff is always available and easy to approach if you ever have a problem or concern. It really makes me feel at home,” Griffin said.

Peter TheisenJunior Mechanical Engineering Major

Peter Theisen, a junior mechanical engineering major, has been living in Binnewies Hall for three years. He is part of the 25.1 percent of students who live in the residence halls and has been able to stay in Binnewies for three years because he is active in the Binnewies Hall Government.

“My experience in the residence halls is a memorable one and has provided me with tons of stories to tell my children someday,” Theisen said.

Theisen said he likes living in the residence halls because he has been able to meet a lot of people, many of which will be his friends throughout his college career.

“I chose SDSU for the excellent and well known engineering program and because it’s close to home,” Theisen said.

Theisen says his experience at SDSU has been a positive one.

“I’ve met a heck of a lot of people, which is great,” Theisen said.

SDSU helped Theisen break out of his shell and meet a variety of diverse people. He says he has a lot of fun at SDSU and enjoys the class size, academic opportunities and atmosphere it provides.

Del Lonowski Department of History and Political Science Professor

As students look through their syllabi, they may also notice the title “Doctor” before many of their professors’ names. That’s because 72.2 percent of professors at SDSU have their terminal degree. A terminal degree is the highest degree someone can obtain in his or her field.

Del Lonowski, a professor for the Department of History and Political Science, is one of these professors.

“One of the advantages that SDSU had in the past was that introductory level courses were taught by professors with a terminal degree,” Lonowski said.

Despite this advantage, Lonowski said he is afraid SDSU is moving in the wrong direction by hiring adjunct professors who often do not have their terminal degree.

Lonowski said he came to SDSU because it was where a position in his specialization was needed. He said this is true of most professors; they go where the job is.

Despite South Dakota’s infamous weather, Lonowski says he enjoys SDSU.

“It has the institutional size that I wanted. I wanted a school that was small enough to get to know most of the students but at the same time provided opportunities for scholarly advancement,” Lonowski said.

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