Schroeder has resigned from SDSU to accept the position as Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Ross University, School of Medicine on the island of Dominica, in the Caribbean Sea.

“I keep my eye out for promotional advances,” Schroeder said. “It’s been a career goal of mine to be in this type of a position … and ultimately, career wise, this position is where I want to be.”

Schroeder found the opportunity to advance her career by an on-line posting of this position and accepted it on Sept. 30. The public announcement of her resignation was on Nov. 17 and her last day at SDSU was Nov. 24.

As this job requires her to move to a vacationer’s paradise, Schroeder said it’s nothing but a bonus for her.

“I tend to be adventurous as it is, so I am really looking forward to this,” Schroeder said.

Students admire Schroeder’s persistence of advancing her career by keeping her eyes open for such opportunities.

“It’s easy to settle with what you have,” said Quinn Holden, junior industrial management student. “I think it’s great that she was persistent in what she wanted.”

After a series of thorough on-line and phone interviews with Ross University, Schroeder flew to Dominica in August 2010 for a formal interview and to get a feel for the campus.

“It was quite an extensive interviewing process,” Schroeder said.

She described the process as comprehensively being online, including résumé screening, leadership and administration assessments, personality inventories, interview-type essay questions, value ratings, international travel concerns and an assessment to measure her tolerance for different cultures.

Traveling and starting at an entirely different school and climate, Schroeder is confident in what lies ahead for her.

“I’m really not nervous; I really experienced what it’s like there and I met with the staff. I got a sense of what the student population was like and the culture, as well,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder has been the Wellness Center director for nearly three years, this coming March. Originally form LaCrosse, Wis., she will be moving far from the only three states she’s ever lived in, including Minnesota and South Dakota.

“I’ll really miss my co-workers at the Wellness Center, and the whole building in general,” Schroeder said. “There was truly great leadership among all of them.”

A search committee will be formed to select an individual to replace Schroeder. Mark Ekeland, coordinator of recreation programs and intramurals started acting as the interim director Nov. 25, and will continue to do so until a full-time director is hired.

Ekeland said replacing Schroeder is going to be difficult.

“If we could clone Dr. Schroeder, that would be great,” he said. “We couldn’t have asked for anyone finer than her.”

Nearly three years ago, SDSU’s first ever community Wellness Center was built for an estimated $10 million, though the popularity of the center and the space provided has proved to not be sufficient.

Within less than three years of its construction, the center has outgrown itself and is now undergoing Phase II to plan for what is still needed and wanted in the center.

“Phase two is really a means to brainstorm of what the possibilities could be for the future,” said Mark Ekeland, interim Wellness Center director. “It’s (phase two) for what we didn’t get in round one.”

Exploration of Phase II is also one of the five goals the Wellness Center declared on its Annual Report from the 2009-2010 school year.

Brenda Anderson, associate director of student health services, said that expansion of the Wellness Center will only benefit its users.

“We are totally out of space,” Anderson said. “We’re practically busting at the seams.”

With the help of students, staff, architects and planning committees, the Wellness Center will expand and incorporate what was sacrificed upon its first construction, along with the needs voiced from its users.

Phase II incorporates all aspects of health services that are provided through the Wellness Center. With Phase II, “We really want to meet the needs of everyone that is impacted by the facility,” Ekeland said.

In 2009, an electronic survey was sent to 6,000 students and individuals who utilize the Wellness Center to measure overall satisfaction with the Wellness Center. The survey resulted that 25 percent of its users said the Wellness Center’s facilities were too crowded and 40.39 percent said they would support a fee to increase, enhance or add to the facility. A frequent comment that was also stated in the survey was complaints of the cool temperature of the HPER pool.

Phase II is considering adding onto the available amenities by including a therapeutic, warm water, zero-depth entry pool, three courts, a new free weight area, an expanded cardio equipment area, racquetball courts, a stretching area, more studios, a facility and area for child care, expansion and remodeling for an additional health and counseling office area and outdoor improvements to the intramural and sport club field.

Student athlete John Bisson, pre-dentistry major, said he supports expansion of the Wellness Center.

“I’d like to see more court space and updates to the pool deck and pool area,” he said.

Construction possibilities and expansions will ultimately depend on approved budget and appropriate architectural designs, though there is room to the north and west to build on, Ekeland said.

“We’re hoping to construct to the west, but will have to discuss it with architects,” Ekeland said. “To the north there could potentially be room for more office space, and possibly the warm water swimming pool.”

Ekeland said SA and multiple committees are helping to plan a vision for what all may be included in Phase II.

#1.1825372:589708869.png:Wellness-1-Cory-Morrow-6.png:Though it is a beneficial addition to the HPER Center on campus, the Wellness Center is already out of space. In Phase II of the building, directors intend to add racquetball and basketball courts, stretching areas, expanded workout and studio spaces to better serve the users of the center.:Collegian Photo by Corey Morrow

SDSU Foundation’s Nameless No More campaign creates more than just names for the mascot; school spirit and mixed-feelings also have resulted.

“Go Jacks,” and “Go big, go blue” are popular cheers heard from sidelines and stands to support SDSU athletics. Jackrabbit nation is often used to describe SDSU territory. So what will be the newest term be to describe SDSU?

Sponsored by the Alumni Association, voting for the Nameless No More campaign to name SDSU’s mascot ended Oct. 31. Though, the winning name will not be announced until the Jackrabbit Birthday Bash, Nov. 12, when it will turn 105.

The committee, who chose the six final names to vote on, was composed of students, alumni, faculty, university officials and members of the Brookings community. The names were chosen on the basis of marketability, gender neutrality, and regional or historic ties to SDSU and South Dakota. Names also had to work with “The Jackrabbit” added to the end of the name, as stated in a previous edition of The Collegian.

“I like the name Jax because it adds a fun twist and also incorporates school spirit,” said SDSU transfer student, Aimee Tau of Sioux Falls.

Since the mascot is known for leading crowds to cheer on teams at athletic events.

“I’m definitely not opposed to it,” said Leon Costello, senior associate athletic director of external affairs and member of the name selection committee. “Everyone kind of assumed that it already had a name.”

Although the mascot has gone 104 years without an official name, some apprehension of officially naming the mascot may arise from assumptions of a name already established.

Assumptions of the mascot already having the name “Jack” lead some to questioning the need of the Nameless No More campaign.

“I don’t think it was necessary,” said 1996 alumnus Scott Waltman, regarding giving the mascot an official name. Waltman agreed with Costello in assuming SDSU’s mascot already established a name.

Having an identifiable name for a school mascot is common for a school to have, Costello said.

Justin Sell, director of the athletic department, said the contest is increasing school spirit and he is enjoying the effect the campaign is having on campus.

“[The campaign] helps make people passionate about SDSU as a university,” Sell said.

Additional information on the Jackrabbit Birthday Bash and contest rules the Nameless No More campaign abided by are available at www.statealum.com.

Students, Students’ Association representatives, SDSU staff and community members packed Brookings’ City Hall chamber on Oct. 26 showing support for a request for a $15,000 increase in 3B tax revenue for SDSU.

“The lack of communication between [SDSU and the City of Brookings]I feel was a main concern of mine,” said Brett Monson, president of SA to members of city council.

The 3B tax, commonly referred to as the bed, booze and board tax because it taxes off-sale alcohol sales, prepared food and lodging, is an additional or discretionary tax which governments can impose on leisurely items. Aramark, SDSU’s food service provider, pays the tax. Revenue from 3B taxes goes to fund entertainment programs developed to bring more people to Brookings and to help stimulate the local economy.

SA representatives requested the additional $15,000 of 3B revenue because of increased taxes paid indirectly by students through Aramark food purchases.

“With the $15,000 we’ll use that money to fund events for students … and to make them bigger and better,” Monson said at the city council meeting.

Aramark pays $50,000 annually in 3B tax, based on its annual average sales of $5.5 million. This amount is $15,000 more than the original, minimum amount of $35,000 SDSU received from the 3B tax. The amount was agreed and voted upon nearly five years ago by SDSU and the city.

In fiscal year 2009, SDSU students paid 60 percent of the city’s 3B tax. Students generated a total of $667,804 for the Brookings community. SA members told council members that they are opposed to the 3B tax and suggested that students already support the local economy substantially without the 3B tax.

On Oct. 25, SA representatives, along with their advisor, Zeno Wicks III, met with Brookings City Manager Jeff Weldon, Mayor Tim Reed and the Visitor’s Promotions Committee to discuss SDSU’s request for the additional $15,000.

City officials were not hesitant to discuss SA’s request, but adding the item to the city council’s meeting agenda was an issue.

“State law requires more than 24 hours in advance in order to apply any additional items to the agenda,” Weldon said in reference to the request not being placed on the committee’s agenda for the Oct. 26 meeting.

There weren’t any budget requests from students before its approval deadline, Weldon said. Though there seems to be some miscommunication and disagreement between the city and SDSU representatives.

“All of the information was on time,” Wicks said, regarding SA’s request last spring to receive the $15,000.

Former Mayor Scott Munstermann and his council approved the original amount SDSU was to receive from the 3B tax in order to increase student involvement on campus.

“A deal was set to draw in students to stay on campus over the weekend,” said Eric Haiar, the state and local government chair of SA.

This money agreed upon was to be used for promotional events and included no provisions for an increase, Weldon said.

The total amount of 3B money available to Brookings organizations is $250,000. The Visitor’s Promotional Committee receives requests on how to distribute that money. In the past, 3B money has helped to fund sports tournaments, conventions and other events that may attract people to Brookings, Weldon said.

Weldon said that SA only has to have the visitor’s promotional committee approve its request, since the annual budget has already been set and approved.

“The visitor’s promotional committee has the authority to give whatever amounts to the students they want,” Weldon said.

Another option that Reed presented is to increase the minimum $35,000 to include the $15,000, which he said might help to prevent any future issues.

Reed ended the presentation with the agreement that at the next City Council meeting, Nov. 9, SA’s request will be on the agenda and will be voted upon by members.

Audience members were content with the overall results of the meeting and the lack of available seats.

“Ultimately, I’m very satisfied with [city council's] openness,” Erin Kennedy, vice president of SA said. “I’m very pleased to see students come out and show that they truly care about the amount of funds we’re trying to get back to them.”

The Nov. 9 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 311

Third Ave., downstairs in the Council Chambers. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

#1.1730928:3037310133.png:3-B-Tax-2-Ryan-Robinson.png:SA State and Local Chair Eric Haiar and President Brett Monson presented a claim at the Oct. 26 city hall meeting requesting the extra money from the city?s 3B tax, built up by inflation totaling $15,000.:Collegian Photo by Ryan Robinson
#1.1730927:375335452.png:3-B-Tax-1-Ryan-Robinson.png:SA State and Local Chair Eric Haiar and President Brett Monson presented a claim at the Oct. 26 city hall meeting requesting the extra money from the city?s 3B tax, built up by inflation totaling $15,000.:Collegian Photo by Ryan Robinson

The behind-the-scenes assistance and technical services from SDSU’s State Tech has been divided to form a separate group of technical assistance for various events at the Performing Arts Center.

State Tech may be defined as a professional staging, video and audio support group for events held on campus and in the community. The split of State Tech to form the new support crew of the PAC occurred Oct. 8, said Mark Venhuizen, State Tech advisor.

“We’ve done some pretty big events,” said State Tech’s Student Manager, Aaron Stoneberger, referring to providing event services for Hillary Rodham-Clinton’s visit to South Dakota two years ago.

State Tech’s coverage of events has ranged across the state including Sioux Falls, Huron, Watertown and Brookings, he said.

The transfer and division of State Tech’s services to the PAC was a management decision where State Tech employees were asked to volunteer to make the switch over to the PAC Stoneberger said.

With the amount of increasing student activities, responsibilities of planning and coordinating between The Union and PAC, events became too much to handle.

“It was becoming too big of a work load for our student employees,” said Marysz Rames, vice president for student affairs. “Additionally, the PAC needed extra support with the amount of student activities.”

In the past, two separate crews were responsible for events of each separate facility. In an attempt to unify the efforts of planning and coordinating, the two crews were combined, Rames said. The decision to create a separate technical support crew specifically for the PAC was to return to the original organization of staff, she said.

“The transition has been going pretty smooth,” Venhuizen said. “But it was hard to say goodbye to those guys (State Tech employees) … but we still communicate.”

The majority of State Tech remains based out of The Union, consisting of a crew size of 26. At the PAC, there is a crew of six who were all past State Tech employees, Stoneberger said.

Stoneberger said that there are both pros and cons to the switch.

“It goes both ways… there’s now less paperwork on my end, but am missing out on PAC events,” Stoneberger said.

SDSU’s University Program Committee is familiar with the services and convenience that State Tech offered for the PAC from The Union.

“We developed a routine of who to talk to,” said Catherine Bigbee, UPC adviser. “With the switch of State Tech’s PAC services not based out of The Union, struggles might arise with the change. Through the transition of policies, we’ll experience some growing pains.”

Events hosted by UPC and held at the PAC with help from State Tech, were Miss Homelycoming, Cavorts, movie nights and Dancing with the Stars.

Bigbee said various other events in the Larson Concert Hall were also made possible on State Tech’s behalf.

In order to make events held at the PAC more organized and structured, a new faculty member was hired, Bigbee said.

Heather Costello joined SDSU staff early September as the new coordinator. She is an Iowa native with seven years of facility management experience and is now in charge of the coordination of events held at the PAC. Responsibilities of her position may be characterized by two part time jobs combined into one, she said.

“I basically wear two different hats,” Costello said.

Part of her job is to oversee and coordinate events held at the PAC, while the other part is working in the Provost office assisting with coordination and planning of upcoming university and presidential events, such as graduation.

Costello said after reviewing The Union’s schedule of events and impressive amount of programs that occurred on a day-to-day basis, it was not surprising that The Union relocated the service station of State Tech.

“From talking with the management at The Union, its staff is so busy already and with the recent expansion, management was just going to become more difficult,” Costello said.

Programming and planning of PAC events will go through a transition period, as The Union is no longer responsible for coordinating its events, said Jennifer Novotny, director of The Union.

“We’ve got some top notch students that will help out with the transition,” Novotny said. “The process for scheduling and planning events at the PAC will be similar to the current procedures The Union has for events, though now is coordinated through Costello and her staff.”

To plan events held at the PAC, clientele are now directed to call Heather Costello at (605) 688-5264.

#1.1731130:3573364060.png:State-Tech-BW-Aaron-Stoneberger1.png:The SDSU State Tech staff, which does professional staging and work behind the scenes for many campus events, has been divided into two seperate spheres in order to manage campus events. :Collegian Photo by Aaron Stoneberger

Students’ Association takes a stance and presents a petition for $15,000 in tax funds the City of Brookings agreed to impose on SDSU students and staff who use Aramark’s dining services.

A petition against the Brookings City Council was brought forth by the Students’ Association through a resolution which calls to approve $15,000 of funding to be provided for SDSU.

“We’re trying to give the funds back to the students where they belong,” SA President Brett Monson said.

Recently the City of Brookings has increased its imposed and optional third penny tax of on-campus, prepared food provided by Aramark, the private vendor for SDSU’s dining services.

The City of Brookings has the power to impose this third penny tax, which is different and does not account for the already existing state tax of South Dakota, which is 4 percent. Commonly the third penny tax is referred to 3B tax and is imposed on leisurely promotional expenditures such as liquor, concert tickets, hotel amenities and prepared meals in restaurants.

Reasons for cities to impose such a tax include using the tax revenues to sponsor events that bring people to the community in order to strengthen the local economy.

“[The third penny tax fund] really helps promote the city,” said Rita Thompson, Brookings finance manager.

Thompson said past examples and benefits of what 3B taxes go toward include events at the Swiftel Center, the Welcome Back Bash and the annual Brookings Summer Arts Festival. Increased tourism and a larger population resulted because of the these events ultimately support the city’s local economy.

SDSU’s University Program Council has also utilized 3B taxes in order to promote their events. The Augustana concert hosted on campus two years ago was funded in part by 3B taxes, said Catherine Bigbee, UPC adviser.

“We always encourage our program coordinators to utilize alternative funding (such as third penny tax funds),” Bigbee said.

Although educational institutions and universities are tax-exempt and receive funding privately or through property taxes, SDSU’s on-campus dining vendor Aramark can have a tax imposed on them since it is a private industry.

Brookings imposing the third penny tax is not the issue, Monson said. He said the underlying issue is the city has gone against what they had agreed to impose on the dining services provided at SDSU, specifically on its prepared meals. The tax is ultimately charging students more than what was agreed to.

“We’re making sure the funds that students deserve are actually there,” Monson said.

Five years ago, the amount of third penny tax imposed on Aramark was set based on a $5 to $5.5 million average expense that students were paying for yearly meal plans on campus. At that time, the agreed 3B tax to be imposed on Aramark was $35,000, annually. Now, Aramark is paying more than what was agreed upon. Annually, Aramark is paying at least $50,000 of 3B tax due to increase of enrollment and an increase of food prices.

Although SA is petitioning the city, some say there is not much change that can or will be seen this year.

“The 2011 budget is set,” Thompson said. “The only way for a petition requesting more money than what the budget allows for the year requires a first and second ordinance, accompanied with a city council vote,”

If the $15,000 is presented to SA by the city, Monson said SA will discuss investing the money towards communication tools or mechanisms for students around campus, such as electronic message boards to display upcoming events. Another possibility the $15,000 may go toward is an end-of-the-year event coordinated with the help of UPC, Monson said.

The petition will be presented on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at Brookings City Hall in the council chambers, and all support for SDSU is welcome.

“We’re really looking for a lot of people to show up and support what we’re trying to do,” said Logan DeBoer, sponsor of the resolution and member of SA.

#1.1717783:3360670792.png:Union-Food-Pic-Ryan-Robinson.png:Aramark, a national private food vendor that SDSU utilizes, has been charged an increase in a 3B tax by the City of Brookings. SA is petitioning that a portion of the 3B funds go back to SDSU students.:Collegian Photo by Ryan Robinson

Academic buildings are worthy of approval, while plans for athletic facilities, residence halls or dining services are tabled.

The Board of Regents approved two building plan and expansion proposals and postponed three others at their Oct. 14 meeting in Rapid City.

Dean Kattelmann, assistant vice president of facilities and services, presented SDSU’s proposed plans for approval. Projects included an aviation education, laboratory and hangar facility; an indoor practice facility and human performance facility; a bioscience research laboratory; a new football stadium and a residence hall construction and dining services expansion.

Only the aviation education, laboratory and hangar facility along with the bioscience research laboratory were approved by the BOR. The other three were tabled.

“It would have been nice to have gotten them approved,” Kattelmann said.

Tabling these three projects may produce delays on the projected time line for them; though they still remain part of the 2025 plan for campus.

“I don’t think they’re dead,” Kattelmann said. “They’re just delayed.”

Janelle Toman, director of BOR communications, said there is an important difference between the two types of building plans and agendas that were presented and discussed at the meeting.

“First of which is a facility program plan, which entails a project that has necessary funds ready, design plans set and ready for action along with a staffed architect. The other type of building plans that were presented to be approved are characterized as preliminary facility statements,” Toman said.

The preliminary facility statements are very young in terms of planning stages and do not necessarily even have an estimated price corresponded to it. Toman said that the only facility program plans that were approved by the BOR were two plans of Northern University in Aberdeen. All five of SDSU’s building proposals were considered preliminary facility statements, she said.

The approved buildings plans will now be able to undergo more specified planning and set a budget for the projects.

Tabling not only may have postponed the project’s timeline, it also raised the questions and viewpoints of priorities for SDSU, said SDSU Students’ Association President Brett Monson.

From the student organization standpoint, Monson said he would have liked the residential hall project to have been approved at the meeting. Though from other points of view, Monson said the need for more residence halls on campus may not be necessary at this time due to the possibility that enrollment numbers may decrease.

“The increase of enrollment (of incoming freshman) has only increased in the past ten years, and so it’s only natural for us to expect a continuation of increased enrollment numbers,” Monson said. “We have students shoved in day rooms and we are already over max capacity and more space is definitely needed.”

Toman said the reason for tabling three of the five presented projects came from the BOR’s focus on its current priorities; such as approving academic facilities before residence halls, dining facilities or athletic buildings.

Monson will attend the next BOR meeting in December to hear the BOR’s decisions on the projects; however, it’s not mandatory for the BOR to discuss the projects at the next meeting.

Toman said she does not expect to see any advances of the projects during the BOR’s next meeting in December.

“I wouldn’t count on it…” she said.

“Tabling the projects was an action done by the BOR committee action and reflects no sense of judgment or value towards the projects,” Toman said. “Tabled projects are to be readdressed at a later date and will become a part of the system wide 10-year system-wide plan of construction of all BOR universities and institutions.”

After the meeting, Monson said he had the opportunity to discuss the events of the meeting with BOR president, Terry Baloun. The total possible amount that the projects would add up to would not have looked to be a responsible expense on SDSU’s part according to Baloun.

Depending on how legislature goes and how the state budget issues result, a more suitable time will then be determined to readdress SDSU’s building proposals, Toman said.

More information regarding the BOR meeting can be found at www.sdbor.edu.

#1.1717667:2550246019.png:Airplane-1-Ryan-Robinson.png:Though the BOR tabled plans three proposals, a bioscience and research laboratory in the northwest expansion along with an aviation education, laboratory and hangar were both approved. The current hangar facility is located near the west side of downtown Brookings.:Collegian Photo by Ryan Robinson

More than 30 SDSU students of Alpha Gamma Rho, the Farmhouse Fraternity and construction management majors, along with men of Teen Challenge of the Dakota’s, came together in a collaborative and voluntary effort to prevent further damage caused by excessive rain near Brookings’ Highway 14 bypass on Thursday, Sept. 23.

Director of the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Brookings, Connie Swain contacted Teen Challenge and the Farmhouse Fraternity early in the afternoon on Thursday for immediate help from willing volunteers to fill and place sandbags as needed.

“I knew we were going to need a bunch of strong guys… and we’ve had a long-standing good relationship with all of these guys,” said Penny Hauffe, manager of Brookings’ Habitat for Humanity Restore.

Hauffee said the organizations have always been a good help and have been used for various Habitat for Humanity projects in the past.

“Furniture and construction materials were rushed off the building’s floor in preparation that water could exceed the height of the sand bags. The building’s truck dock was filled with more than five feet of water, ” Hauffe said.

Immediate help was requested in hopes of preventing any damage to the Restore building and especially its content.

“This is really concerning because these are the supplies and donations we use to build houses with,” Hauffe said. “Various antiques were of especially concerning to the staff to transport off of ground level.”

As the water level rose, more and more people kept arriving in order to help in anyway they could.

“I just can’t believe all the people who showed up, I just can’t believe it” Swain said. “This is just great, I couldn’t have asked for more or even better help.”

Steve Helling, Habitat for Humanity’s Restore Construction Manager was part of the effort to prevent water damage to the center. He transported two dump-truck loads of sand, which was donated by Bose Construction of Brookings.

As water level’s increased and no signs for the rain to stop, concern arose regarding neighboring homes.

“We saw that they needed help, and we didn’t need to think twice or hesitate about going over there,” said Brett Kleinschmit, a senior of Farmhouse Fraternity.

Habitat for Humanity Restore’s neighbor, Peggy and Jim Lippert, were also busy filling and laying sandbags around their home’s perimeter with only the help of their sons. As volunteers saw the neighbor’s need, they headed their way and joined the assembly line of laying sandbags.

“It’s never been this bad,” said Peggy Lippert, “We’ve been bailing out of a sub pump for a while.”

The Lippert’s have resided at their home for fourteen years and never before have needed to have three sump pumps going in their basement.

Peggy Lippert thanked the volunteers for their work after the sandbags were laid by treating them to home-made brownies. Connie Swain also displayed her gratitude to the volunteers by giving all the Teen Challenge men hugs, she said.

As volunteers finished placing the last of the sandbags, rain kept pouring.

“We just need all this rain to stop, then we’ll be good,” Hauffe said.

#1.1654482:1537476703.jpg:High water levels from heavy rainfall Sept. 23 reached the trailer court and surrounding apartments :High water levels from heavy rainfall Sept. 23 reached the trailer court and surrounding apartments by Sexauer Park. People living in high areas either evacuated or built walls of sandbags around their belongings. :Collegian Photo by Ellen Nelson
#1.1654486:292532204.jpg:High water levels from heavy rainfall Sept. 23 reached the trailer court and surrounding apartments :High water levels from heavy rainfall Sept. 23 reached the trailer court and surrounding apartments by Sexauer Park. People living in high areas either evacuated or built walls of sandbags around their belongings. :Collegian Photo by Ellen Nelson

A recent study’s results shows the six public South Dakota Board of Regents institutions have a nearly $2 billion economic impact in the state by the amount of jobs and opportunities they provide.

The results of this first ever, comprehensive study was released to the public on Monday, Sept. 20 and has reaffirmed the significance of South Dakota’s higher education system. The study shows that an annual generated $1.97 billion economic significance results from a $176 million state investment.

“We’ve always been aware of the significance that our institutions have throughout our state and have made assumptions of its impact,” said Janelle Toman, director of communications for the SDBOR. “Now these numbers confirmed the tremendous impact that they (the universities) have across the state,” Toman said.

The report was conducted at The University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business and took about six months, Toman said.

It shows that 5,325 full-time jobs in South Dakota exist because of the universities and an additional 9,432 in state jobs are available due to university-generated business which helps the local economy of the cities where the universities are located.

“This report confirms that our public universities contribute in vital and substantial ways to South Dakota’s economic development and quality of life,” said Jack R. Warner, executive director and CEO of the SDBOR.

Some of the SDBOR staff was surprised at the results, Toman said. They were not the only ones.

“Two billion dollars is definitely a higher amount than what I would’ve guessed,” said Elliot Kinnander, a junior agriculture business major. “It’d be interesting to see how we do against other states.”

Difficulty arises when trying to compare these numbers with other state’s universities impact level, Toman said.

“Each study has its own methodology so it’s difficult to compare this study with other universities,” Toman said. In the past, individual studies have been done on specific institutions but never a comprehensive analysis she said.

According to the results of the study, more than 42,800 people live in South Dakota who would not be here without the state’s six SDBOR universities.

The Government Research Bureau conducted the study and the lead researcher of the study was Dr. Michael Allgrunn, an assistant professor of economics at USD. The BOR sponsored the study and results will be updated periodically. A full report of data the study resulted is available at www.sdbor.edu.

Financial Fun Facts

• $182 million is generated by public universities in direct economic impact through daily operations and consumption of goods and services.
• $30.6 million is added to the state’s economy by public university visitors through off-campus spending such as athletic events and performances.
• $233 million in tuition and fees are paid by students while attending college in South Dakota, while an additional $192 million is spent on other goods and services.
• Last year, South Dakota received more than $142 million in revenue for research and development projects at universities, given by federal and private grants and contracts.

In a prime-time address from the White House’s Oval Office Tuesday, Aug. 31, President Barack Obama declared that Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and we are now focusing on Afghanistan.

American troops are scheduled to pull out of Afghanistan in July 2011, though speculation and concern arise after recently withdrawing combat units from Iraq.

Kaytlin Pelton, junior biology major from Aberdeen, said the 11-month time frame allows for plenty of time for the removal of troops, though has doubts.

“It’s a sufficient amount of time, but I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Pelton said.

After nine years since the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, the U.S. Military has had more than 4,400 deaths and 30,000 injuries during Operation Iraqi Freedom alone.

In an Aug. 23 press conference General David Petraeus, the top U.S. and North Atlantic Trade Organization commander in Afghanistan, said the U.S. Military will be looking “for the exit and a light to turn out” before the 11-month time frame ends.

Although the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan are different, the gradual process and plan implemented to bring combat troops home from Iraq will be utilized in Afghanistan.

SDSU alumnus Isaac Randall, a member of South Dakota’s Air National Guard, said the issues and levels of complexity in Afghanistan are relevant as ever.

“Afghanistan sure is an interesting place … There is a real and obvious dilemma in Afghanistan because of the Taliban and certain minority groups that are in complete opposition to them,” Randall said.

Although he has more training to go through before able to deploy, the Dell Rapids native said the likelihood of increasing amounts of troops deployed to Afghanistan is a possibility. Military personnel generally are not hesitant to be deployed, Randall said.

“I’m not worried that I have to go (to Afghanistan),” Randall said. “I wouldn’t have signed up for the military if I was.”

As of Aug. 6, since the initial 5,000 troops were stationed in Afghanistan in 2003 of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, the amount of troops has grown to more than 120,000, according to NATO’s website.

Pelton said she does not understand the need for the amount of troops in Afghanistan and Kuwait when she continually hears stories of soldiers having large amounts of “down time.”

Other SDSU students approve of actions taken by America’s leaders. Ben Van Moer, junior music education major of Tracy, Minn., said although he is not up-to-date with current situations in Afghanistan, the U.S. is making appropriate decisions.

“I think [the war] is slowing down a little bit … but I think getting out of Iraq was a huge step in the right direction of getting out of there,” Van Moer said.

SDSU political science professor Delmer Lonowski said the time frame of when U.S. troops will return home depends on when American taxpayers will tire of supplying funds. Lonowski also said the Taliban’s possibility of returning to power is an issue with regards of when and how troops leave Afghanistan.

“There’s a lot of potential for the Taliban to come back into power,” Lonowski said. “They might be able to beat the U.S. since they did beat the Soviets.”

Officials of NATO said an end is in sight and that American soldiers will be returning home from Afghanistan on schedule.

“Our aim, agreed to by the entire international community, is that by 2014 Afghans will be in the lead across the country,” said Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen in a Sept. 11 issue of the Washington Post.

Though with more talk of scheduling troops to eventually come home, two South Dakota Army National Guard units have received word they will be deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan next spring.

The 200th Engineer Company and the 451st Engineer Detachment firefighting team both will be deployed. Both units will perform security missions, along with bridging operations.

“I don’t understand a need for putting more troops over there. It’s ridiculous that they can’t come home,” Pelton said.