Every day thousands of students and numerous staff members of SDSU walk through the doors of The Union.

Unannounced to them is the fact that they are being recorded. On the walls near the main entrances sit video cameras that are recording the use of the building 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Union staff installed the cameras after the theft of several thousands of dollars worth of technical equipment.

“Hopefully the cameras will deter illegal activity and protect the students,” said Jennifer Novotny, director of The Union. The theft is still under investigation by the University Police Deparment.

“The plan for the cameras went into action in late August,” said Novotny. “They were not in the original plan of the building and are also, at this point, just a test. When they are permanently placed there will be signs indicating that they are there.”

Currently there are two cameras, but Novotny said, “More will be added at the main entrances and exits.”

When asked how she felt about being videotaped, Dnye

Headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches and fatigue are all common symptoms of a well-known condition- stress. Stress is often misdiagnosed and disregarded because it’s common among students today. However, stress can have some serious mental and physical consequences if not treated properly.

Symptoms of stress result in everything from well-known indicators to conditions as serious as insomnia and high blood pressure. (Symptoms provided by www.mayoclinic.com)

Also, “poor health conditions can be significantly worsened by the result of stress. A person can be more susceptible to anything from the common cold to STDs,” said Julie Cameron, a nursing practitioner at the Brookings Sioux Valley Clinic. “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of regular exercise.”

Cameron said that exercise and a healthy diet, low in caffeine and carbohydrates, will help in preventing the concerns of stress.

Carrie Bauman, captain of the SDSU cheerleading squad and a sophomore early childhood education major, deals with stressors every day. She said she finds it helpful to be involved with a sport.

“Practice relieves my stress. I can come and do what I like to do and take a break from everything.”

When asked what would be a recommendation to students dealing with stress, Bauman recommended getting organized and managing time wisely.

Brenda Andersen, a nurse practitioner and associate director of SDSU Student Health, agrees. She said prioritizing can be a big help with relieving stress.

Andersen listed five ways she felt were most effective for students dealing with stress.

1. Take time for yourself. Take deep breaths and relax.

2. Eat healthy.

3. Get plenty of sleep. This is very important in student performance and health.

4. Exercise.

5. Talk to someone. Keeping healthy relationships can help. We all deal with stressors; having someone to talk to can help relieve some worries.

Andersen also informs students that the health center is always open to help.

“We’re here to keep kids in school. We want to keep them healthy, both physically and mentally.”

Student Health is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in West Hall. Students can stop by for medical help or just someone to talk to.

Although stress has immediate negative effects, it can also have its positive ones.

Brian Mahaffy, a senior psychology major, said stress can be beneficial.

“Stress can help students realize what needs to get done and do it,” Mahaffy said.

He recommended eliminating procrastination to help reduce stress.

He does note that extended amounts of stress can be problematic, affecting students’ learning and sleep behaviors.

“Talk to your teachers. They are there to help you learn, and they can help you deal with deadlines and assignments that may be giving you trouble.”

In the end, it is important to realize stress plays an important role in everyday life and, if not handled properly, can take its toll.

#1.884282:2412802794.JPG:Health01.JPG:A great way to help prevent stress is regular exercise. If the HPER’s treadmills aren’t your thing, walking through campus is a great alternative.:Erin Lester

A Wisconsin religious group and students used the green and sidewalks near The Union to debate one of the most heated issues in the nation on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

More than 100 people debated homosexuality, a discussion prompted by a religious group known as the Faithful Soldier School of Evangelism. Students came to debate and protest the different views, and some brought homemade signs.

The Milwaukee-based school is doing a two-week tour of college campuses in the northern states.

Jason Storms, director of the school, said college campuses were chosen because they are where learning happens and the exchange of ideas is encouraged. He said it is students who are impressionable.

Members of the school were seen holding signs that read “Homosexuality is a Sin” and “Christ Can Set You Free.”

“We love them as people, but we believe the behavior is unacceptable,” said Storms. “This is not a message of hate. We just want to say there is hope.

You can find salvation through Christ; he will save you.”

Storms also said the group was open to criticism. They understand disagreement and encourage debate.

On the other hand, like Hanna Rice, most students who saw the protest were critical of the School of Evangelism. Rice, who was holding a sign that said “Keep Hate off the SDSU Campus,” was not alone. Many students were holding posters that said similar messages.

“They’re making (homosexuals) out to be second-class people; and they are discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation,” said Catherine Grandorff, an English and Spanish freshman.

Philosophy professor Dennis Bielfeldt said the students’ reaction to make the protest into a debate did not surprise him.

“The country has made homosexuality into a civil rights issue and students want to defend that; but we don’t realize there is a deeper issue,” he said.

“In general, we must have discussion and conversation, and debate should be encouraged. Even on a sensitive subject such as this, we must err on the side of open debate.”

The protest on campus comes with the November election looming in the near future. Amendment C is in question to Article XXI of the Constitution of the state of South Dakota relating to the definition of marriage. If voted to pass during the state elections on Nov. 7, the new section will read, “Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized in South Dakota.”

#1.884280:202131900.jpg:protest01.jpg:Casey Fuhrmann, an engineering freshman, talks to Ben Bloedorn, a member of Faithful Soldier School of Evangelism, on the green of The Union last Wednesday.:

One by one they trickled home. Disheartened and battle weary, Vietnam veterans received no welcome after more than 10 years of military struggle.

All that changed last weekend in Pierre. More than 30 years later, South Dakota’s Vietnam veterans received the ceremony they deserved so long ago.

The South Dakota Vietnam War Memorial Dedication, held Sept. 15-17, attracted more than 30,000 people. Along with veterans and citizens, SDSU students participated in the event.

Cadets from the SDSU ROTC placed flowers for each fallen soldier and marine from South Dakota along a traveling wall with names of fallen heroes.

“I’m so honored to be able to give our veterans the thanks they deserve,” said Sgt. Darrin Eichacker, a senior engineering major and one of 20 cadets chosen to attend.

The SDSU Pride of the Dakotas marching band performed at the parade and during the ceremony.

“It’s always an honor to be asked to play for an event such as this,” said Tracy Miller, a member of the Pride.

“The Pride was asked to play because of the highly recognized and respected band directors the school is honored to have. I feel the band had no problem playing up to the standard of the event, and we all realized how important it was,” said Miller, a sociology sophomore.

The event included a traveling quilt dedicated to Agent Orange victims, a car show, a parade, fireworks and live concerts from bands, including Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Steve Miller Band and the Beach Boys.

During the ceremony, country music group Big & Rich performed their song “8th of November,” based on the story of South Dakota Vietnam veteran Niles Harris.

“We owe this to our veterans. They had no recognition of a job well done and they deserve to be recognized. They need to know they didn’t die for nothing,” said Senior airman Josh Boomgarden of the U.S. Air Force and freshman broadcast journalism major.

The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial wars in the United States history and possibly the most unpopular. It was the first war brought to the American public by televised news.

#1.884325:4006288938.jpg:vietnam.jpg:Jay Kleinjan honors the fallen of the Vietnam War at the traveling memorial’s stop in Pierre.:Lacey Roland