Over 750 students will graduate from SDSU this December. Life after graduation offers a world of new opportunities students strive for: working at a full-time job, purchasing a house or starting a family. Unfortunately, not all of these new responsibilities are fun. School loans, along with other bills, need to be paid. In addition, some students will no longer qualify for their parents’ health insurance and need to purchase their own.

According to DakotaCare, the health care plan for the South Dakota State Medical Association, 61,000 South Dakotans do not have health coverage. A majority of the uninsured population are young people who often do not see the value in health insurance.

“I’m not looking forward to paying it on my own, but everyone has to have it,” Shasta Vearrier, a graduating journalism major, said. Vearrier knew she will no longer be eligible for her mom’s health insurance after graduation long before the start of the semester. She said she has never missed a class due to illness and does not plan to purchase health insurance until she finds a full-time job.

Unlike Vearrier, graduating communication studies and theater major, Katie Eisfeld, is looking for coverage immediately after graduation.

“I won’t go without it, because with my luck, my kidneys or appendix will burst,” she said. Eisfeld is interning at Daktronics beginning in January and has to look outside of the company for coverage. She added she is not worried about getting sick but about being covered in case of an accident.

“Everyone should have it,” Karla Anderson, a Student Health and Counseling Services program assistance, said. “It’s just that important.”

Anderson said graduates and students who suffer an illness or injury while uncovered can face heavy financial burdens without health coverage.

“Nobody anticipates those unfortunate events in our lives,” Kirk Zimmer, CEO of DakotaCare, said.

DakotaCare covers 130,000 people in South Dakota and nationwide. For the past two years, the company has provided DakotaCare One, an insurance plan aimed at individuals. Plans began as low as $70 a month.

According to Zimmer, recipients can apply for the insurance through an agent or online. The Internet option allows people to “shop” for plans that best suit them before submitting personal or financial information. Depending on their current health conditions, applicants can be approved immediately or within three days.

Zimmer added DakotaCare One can provide students between graduation and a full-time job with temporary coverage or a permanent solution.

However, students do not have to wait until graduation to get health insurance. SDSU students can purchase health insurance through the Board of Regents’ Avera Health Plans.

According to Anderson, the plan is aimed specifically at students and is a simple injury plan. Domestic students enrolled in five or more credits are eligible and can apply online. International students are required to have this health insurance before registering. With the plan, students receive a $200 deductible and have the option to buy by term (year or semester). Recipients’ ePay is automatically billed, and students may purchase the plan with scholarship or loan money.

Students with this insurance are required to report to Student Health with illnesses or injuries. For emergencies occurring outside of Student Health hours or for further treatments, students can be referred to other medical centers.

Anderson said between 400 and 500 students with the insurance plan visit Student Health each year.

No matter the insurance provider, Anderson said it is important for students to read the policy and know what it covers. In addition, Zimmer advises the purchase of health insurance that pertains to the individual to balance the amount of coverage with cost.

Unlike most Americans, I have never experienced the rush of shopping on the biggest day of the year, Black Friday. The deals never seemed good enough to stand out in front of a store in the freezing cold hours before it opened. I didn’t have the desire to push my way through a strong-willed crowd doing anything to save a few bucks. It always seemed a bit crazy to me.

With the weak economy and my even sadder checkbook, I thought it might be beneficial to put on my armor, grab my war purse and check out the deals. After all, Christmas is right around the corner.

Preparing for my first Black Friday shopping event, I scoped out the ads ahead of time online. Then I saw it, a light shone down on it from the heavens while the angels sang “Hallelujah.” The Nikon D-SLR camera I’ve been wanting for years was on sale for $200 off.

I knew I had to get to Best Buy long before the sun was up. It took some convincing and a little bribing, but I finally assembled a shopping team and bodyguards. My team was a little iffy about the whole idea of hitting the road by 3 a.m., with a chance of not capturing the goods. In the end, I let them convince me into ordering the camera online; I guess you can get the same deals online. However, I didn’t let them talk me out of my first Black Friday experience.

We hit the road by 10:30 and judging by the line of cars waiting to get into the mall, we didn’t miss the rush. Those feelings of anxiousness and ambition came back to me. I scavenged the store and maneuvered through the crowd to get the leftover deals before the doorbusters ended. With my purchases in hand, my adrenaline returned to normal as I headed home from a satisfying Black Friday shopping trip.

I didn’t have the “traditional” Black Friday experience by waking long before the birds, but I contributed to the $10.6 million spent by consumers nationwide, according to ShopperTrak’s Web site, a shopper traffic counting software. That number is three percent higher from last year.

Retail businesses in Brookings experienced a piece of that pie.

Shopper’s arrived at Wal-Mart at 5 a.m. to cash in on deals on televisions, computers and toys, according to Dennis Tramp, the store’s manager.

Tramp said, “a lot of people were out and about,” enjoying the savings, and it took a week to prepare the store for the rush.

David Hafenbreidel, store manager of JCPenny in the University Mall, said the store began preparing 30 days in advance. An estimated 30 to 40 customers lined outside JCPenny’s doors before they opened at 4 a.m. The store offered doorbuster deals until 1 p.m., which included women’s leather coats under $50 and men’s leather coats under $70. Hafenbreidel said big sellers included a five-piece luggage set, fine jewelry, bed pillows and bath towels.

Locally owned stores also experienced the crowds this past weekend. The Gift Gallery, located on Main Street, saw an increase in shoppers on Saturday, according to Tammy Minor, the store’s owner. Minor said the store operated during normal business hours but became busy after shoppers took advantage of early sales elsewhere. Besides gifts, customers picked up holiday decorations like garland, wreaths and snowmen. Sales were available on a variety of items, such as 30 percent off on handbags. The Gift Gallery will also feature specials throughout the month.

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Currently, 3,222 students living on campus have a meal plan, according to the Residential Life and Dining Services Master Plan for 2008 to 2018, and enrollment is expected to increase by over 16 percent in the next five years. In addition, 400 students will be looking for meals on the east side of campus after the new residence hall opens in fall 2010. To compensate for the increase in business and current demand, Dining Services is in the beginning stages of expanding.

“For some time now, The Union remodel that brought Pasta-Bilities, Tortilla Fresca and the stir fry station to the Market have been very popular,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Wermedal. “You couple that with a very successful renovation – the fireplaces, the recreation spaces and the study spaces – and The Union becomes what it has always intended to be, which is the campus living room.”

The Residential Life and Dining Services Master Plan for 2008 to 2018 was approved by the Board of Regents on Oct. 23. Besides a $5 million Dining Services expansion, the plan also includes a new residential hall and fixing up current halls.

Vice President of Student Affairs Marysz Rames said the new residential hall and the expansion of Dining Services “fit hand and hand.” She added the plan focuses on accommodating students’ desires to eat at The Union.

“It’s just packed all the time, and as our campus is growing, it is going to need more room,” said Bethany Wuttke, a member of the University Program Council and a Students’ Association Senator.

Just ask sophomore Ellen Wolcott who said she has waited up to 30 minutes for food. She enjoys the current food selection but would like larger preparation areas to decrease the long lines.

It is still undetermined how Dining Services will be expanded. Wermedal said the plan will include additional seating and services in The Union. The new service may be a national food brand, an expansion of Aramark brands or something entirely different. According to Wuttke, the Dining Services expansion will not just focus on The Union but Larson and Medary Commons, as well.

Wuttke is part of a committee working to finalize plans. The committee consists of members from SA, UPC, Greek Life, Union Managers, Union personnel and people living in the residence halls.

In early October, an architecture and engineering firm was hired to help determine where additional seating and expansion will work best in terms of the buildings. Focus groups have been conducted to help get student perspectives on and off campus.

Wermedal said the expansion will be complete before the start of the Fall 2010 semester. Rachel Lewis, a committee member representing SA and Greek Life, said the two-year timeline allows them to do the project right.

“It (the deadline) is pretty fast and coming, but at the same time, it is enough time to get student perspective as to what they want,” she said.

Wuttke said she would like to see a more secluded, sit-down area that has a similar atmosphere as a restaurant that the campus currently does not have. Other students, like sophomore early childhood education major Rachelle Sather, agree with Wolcott and would like to see shorter lines but with a larger variety of food.

Sophomores Alicia Oliver and Bradley Seely and junior Kimberly Kapperman agree a new seating arrangement is needed. Oliver said the long tables in the Market work for big groups, but there is little room for groups of three or four. Kapperman added that groups do not want to sit next to each other on the long tables.

Wermedal said he hopes the end product provides students with a more comfortable and convenient experience that allows them to get to class, meetings and social events quicker.

While dining services may be expanding on the east side of campus in the next couple of years, it became smaller this semester on the opposite side when Medary Market’s C-Store closed.

“One of the complaints we continued to receive from students about that C-Store was that our hours were intermittent,” said Doug Wermedal, assistant vice president for student affairs. “It would be open, then be closed, then be open again and then be closed again.”

According to Wermedal, the alternation in hours was due to the lack of staff available. As a result, an estimated top 40 items from the C-Store were placed in the service area of Medary Commons.

“When Medary is open, they have that access to that spot, and we did that without expanding any expense in payroll, which of course has a very direct influence on what students pay for Pop-tarts, milk or convenience items,” Wermedal said.

“It would be a heck of a lot nicer” to have the C-Store in Medary, Wylie Scalise, a junior dairy science major, said. Scalise recently transferred to SDSU and lives in the Wecota Annex.

Eric McNeel, a sophomore dairy manufacturing major and transfer student, agreed with Scalise and said he would like to see the store back in the Medary Commons. McNeel also lived in the Wecota Annex residence hall before moving off campus earlier this month. He and Scalise walked across campus to the Larson C-Store to pick up essentials about once a week.

Freshman and Hanson Hall resident Samantha DeWit said a C-Store in the Medary Commons would be more convenient since she hardly visits the other C-Stores on campus.

A C-3 was established in the Wellness Center due to the more popular traffic from students and community members and the ability to provide service. No investments were made in refrigerators, coolers or plumbing, because the site is portable. It can easily be moved to another location if the Wellness Center site is unsuccessful.

A Starbucks was also added to the Wellness Center, something Wermedel said students have been requesting.

“So, we’re trying to hit a couple of things: service in an area we knew was going to have more traffic, bring Starbucks to campus … and still serve Medary customers with the top 40 items and actually provide a little better hour coverage,” Wermedel said.

The new open space in Medary Commons has several possibilities of its next occupancy including a meeting space for students and clubs, private dining or possibly another C-Store some day.

“We welcome feedback on that … through my office as to what students think should be next at Medary,” Wermedal said.

Since 2003, SDSU has offered students a minor in entrepreneurial studies, and this past spring, the Board of Regents approved the major portion of the program.

The major is “designed to enhance entrepreneurial talent by providing students with the knowledge, skills and experiences to think entrepreneurially and create value in … society,” according to the Entrepreneurial Opportunities’ Web site.

“There was a lot of student interest,” said Barb Heller, coordinator of entrepreneurship, about how the major got started. “The next step was designing curriculum.”

The lengthy process was filled with plans approved by both SDSU and the Board of Regents and a lot of paperwork.

“I believe that SDSU should have this major because, it can inspire many more future Entrepreneurs who will be playing major key roles in their communities and lives in general,” said Zach Koepp, an entrepreneurial major from Okoboji, Iowa. After graduation, Koepp wants to return to home to start his own branch of the family business and looks forward to dictating his own schedule.

According to Heller, the major was initially designed for the University Center in Sioux Falls and for nontraditional students. However, it is available at both the University Center and SDSU. Heller said the major also attracts a variety of students from colleges all over campus. People interested in the entrepreneurial field are encouraged to double major. Currently, students majoring in hospitality, Spanish, construction management and business economics are also earning an entrepreneurial degree.

Heller estimates 10 students are currently enrolled in the entrepreneurial major. They are required to complete 61 core credits and 29 electives. If double majoring, students can use the other major’s credits as part of the 29 entrepreneurial electives.

“I think that it is important for SDSU to have this major because entrepreneurs keep our economy going,” said freshman entrepreneurial studies and agronomy major Tyler Steinkamp. “It is hard to start a business in this day and age because there are so many regulations you have to follow. This major will prepare you for the extreme load of this time.”

Courses are not instructed by traditional professors, but professionals who have practical experiences in a specific area such as taxation or accounting.

“I feel very strongly about entrepreneurship,” said class instructor Larry B. Swain. “I think it is one of the best things to happen at SDSU.” Swain is currently the director of the Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity and has started 16 businesses.

He said the new major includes something the minor and certificate do not, planning, such as marketing or business planning.

The major puts money in student pockets even if they do not start their own business after graduation, because what they learn can be taken with them.

Students have the option to receive a bachelor’s degree or pursue one of two specializations. The social entrepreneurship specialization is for students interested in starting or managing a socially oriented organization, including both non-profit and for-profit organizations, according to the Entrepreneurial Opportunities’ Web site. These graduates tend to improve communities and tackle social issues.

The minor instructs students on how to start and own a business, be a community leader, turn technology into a product and more.

Students can also receive a specialization in technology management. The focus is on understanding how to combine technology with products and entrepreneurial practices.

SDSU also offers an entrepreneurial certificate.

“It shows employers they (students) have taken that extra step,” Heller said.

The certificate program consists of 12 specialized courses in topics like accounting, selling and marketing. Students need to take 10 in order to earn the certificate.

More often than not, the first thing students do when coming out of class is whip out their cell phones. If they are not talking to their mom or friends, they are thumbing away at the keys.

In the past couple of years, text messaging has taken on a life of its own. A new vocabulary has been created that is not only being written, but is finding its way into the spoken language and mainstream media (remember Cingular’s “idk my bff Jill” commercial?).

“It’s an easy way to communicate,” said Whitney Harris, a pre-pharmacy major, about text messaging.

Amanda Hausladen, also a pre-pharmacy major, text messages because it is quicker than calling and convenient.

However, with the increase in text messaging, could the decrease in the use of vowels and punctuation be leaking into students’ academic performance?

“I think that more than texting, people are not reading enough,” said English professor Kathleen Danker, who believes text messaging has not affected students’ work. She said reading helps students spell better.

English graduate student Nancy Preteau taught four sections of English Composition 101 last school year. She agrees with Danker, and admits even though a few students spelled you as “u” and because as “b/c” in their diagnostic essays, they only improved from there.

Students also believe this popular form of communication does not change the quality of their work. Biology majors Ayisha McDonough, Jamie Metcalje and James Redfern admit they catch themselves mixing text messaging abbreviations in their homework now and then. Harris also finds herself putting dot, dot, dot when wanting to place a pause in a paper.

Senior English education major, Noelle Thompson, said she chooses to write out words to avoid the habit of writing like most people text message. She said it is a conscience thing and allows her to be thorough.

“I always write it out,” pre-pharmacy major Chelsey Kisse added. “I don’t know if people understand (what is being said).”

Text messaging (and instant messaging) language is a type of argot, a type of slang used by insiders to keep outsiders out, that is rapidly changing, according to John Taylor. Taylor is an English professor who teaches the Development of the English Language, available for enrollment this spring semester.

“To be an educated person, you should have more than one style of writing,” he said. Students should know the appropriate time to use formal English, such as in class assignments, on a resume or at a professional job, and when it is okay to use improper English, like in text messaging.

“Because you IM doesn’t make you stupid, but if you think all there is to life is IMing, well that’s not a very intelligent attitude,” he said.

Taylor said he has seen an increase of students using less commas and confusing words for others, but also believes text messaging has not affected students’ writing abilities.

Whether text messaging impacts students’ academic performances is not the only question. Is it okay for students to text message in class?

“It’s up to them if they want to text or listening,” said McDonough.

Harris added she believes it is okay because students pay for the class, and as long as it does not interrupt other students.

On Thursday, Oct. 16, SDSU students will arrive at the Brookings County Courthouse by the van load as part of the Students’ Associations (SA) SDSU Votes event.

“Young voters are traditionally underrepresented,” said the event’s coordinator and SA Senator Alisha Kropuenske. “It’s an important election year and it’s important to have your voice heard.”

Vans will pick up students at the east end of the Union and give them a ride to the courthouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There, students can register and cast an early vote for candidates and issues on the Nov. 4 ballot.

According to Kropuenske, the event emerged after the SA tried to bring early voting polls to campus. However, the Brookings County rejected the idea saying it was impossible. The SA will continue trying to get early voting on campus for future elections.

SA Vice President Eric Hanson hopes the event sends the statement that college students do vote and should be included.

“Students’ voices can and will be heard,” he said.

He also encourages students to vote in Brookings because it is their home for at least nine months out of the year.

To help get the message across, students are being asked to wear yellow SDSU t-shirts to show their unity and the need for early voting polls on campus.

In South Dakota, citizens can register up to 15 days before the election. The last day to register is Oct. 20. Kropuenske said having the event four days before registration closes, reminds students to register and allows them to think about the issues. Students will be able to register and vote on the same day if they wish.

Booths will be set up in Main Street of the Union to provide students with mock ballots and information about the issues. This way, students can research the topic and cast an educated vote.

Other university groups are cosponsoring the event such as the Women’s Collation, College of Democrats, College of Republics, the Sierra Club and more. Participants are reminded to bring either a South Dakota driver’s license or a student I.D., and will receive a free t-shirt while supplies last.

Students can early vote at the courthouse up to the day of the election. Polls will also be open on Nov. 4 at the courthouse and also on campus at the Tompkins Alumni Center.

Scratch track is a studio term referring to an unedited and uncut version of a recorded song not made for the public. It is the simplest form of a song consisting usually of just vocals and an instrument. It is also the meaning behind the name of the latest band to come to SDSU.

Scratch Track will perform Oct. 9 at Jacks’ Place, in the Union, at 8 p.m.

“I enjoy their sound and think everyone else will too,” said Carly Zebell, the University Program Council’s concert coordinator.

Scratch Track is made up of David DJ Lee (vocals and beat boxing) and Jason Hamlin (guitar, harmonica and bells) and consists solely of vocals, beat boxing and guitars.

According to Lee, the band describes themselves as alternative, blues and hip hop. Their music brings a fresh sound to the scene and has a significant guitar presence with a strong beat. Posted on their Web site, On Tap describes them as “Outkast or the Neptunes … throw in a guitar and more beat boxing, and you might come close.”

Lee and Hamlin met each other at college in Jackson, Tenn., and started the band five years ago.

“We never had a plan to start a band,” Lee said, “we were friends and hung out, and it grew from that.”

Since then, the band has toured the U.S. and performed throughout the world. They have opened for acts such as The Roots, Los Lonely Boys, Erykah Badu, Jurassic 5, Rehab, Twista and more, according to their Web site. Their music has also been featured on soundtrack slots for CSI New York, Sony Playstation’s “MLB” video game and Warren Miller’s snowboarding film, Off the Grid.

Scratch Track has released four albums with the first, The Simple, dropping in 2003. It was followed up by Unreleased Sessions and in 2006, Interpretation of the Afterwards was released.

Their latest album, The Legend of Wild Bill, came out in March. Lee said it was recorded in an “unconventional way.” They used old equipment and speakers to produce a simple and organic album. It took them only two weeks to record the new music and another two months to mix and master it.

Lee said the group writes their own music and is musically influenced by everything, including the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, gospel and more.

The UPC was introduced to the band when they performed at the National Association of Campus Activities’ Northern Plains Regional Conference in St. Paul according to the UPC’s president, Kyle Jameson. Jameson said the band has a unique blend of hip-hop, acoustic vibe and beat box.

“It’s important to experience different music to expand one’s mind and interest,” he said.

“We’re excited to come to Brookings,” said Lee, who has performed at other schools in South Dakota. “You’re going to see a show you’ve never seen before.”

Can’t wait to see the show? Check out their Web site, scratchtrackmusic.com, and their MySpace page to hear their music now.

Imagine spending the weekend hiking up and down the terrain of the Black Hills. The sun beats down on you, causing sweat to run down your face. Your feet, legs and back ache, and there is only one thought getting you over that next hill: the fathers, brothers, daughters, friends and everyone who sacrificed their lives for you. That was the motivation for the SDSU Veteran’s Club when they participated in the 2008 Black Hills Veteran Honor March on Sept. 20.

During the event, five of the SDSU club’s 25 members marched over 26 miles through the Black Hills’ slopes from Rochford to Deadwood on the George S. Mickelson Trail.

“It was a tribute to our brothers and sisters,” said Eddie Hruska, the club’s president and a sophomore sociology and criminal justice major.

A total of 1,457 students completed requirements for graduation this year, and about 996 students will walk in two separate graduation ceremonies on May 3, according to University Relations.

For the first time, the graduation commencement will be split into two separate ceremonies, one for undergraduates and the other for graduates. The undergraduate ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in Frost Arena, and the graduate ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the PAC.

“We just felt that the graduation exercise has just gotten so large and cumbersome that we could not handle it efficiently all at one time,” said Diane Holland Rickerl, associate dean of the Graduate School.

Information was gathered through surveys distributed to faculty, administration and students regarding a change in the commencements, Mary Kay Helling, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, said. She said the split among graduate and undergraduate students is common. Academic Affairs also considered addressing the problem by separating the universities’ eight colleges into several ceremonies.

Of the students graduating, 1,185 are undergraduates and 272 are graduate students.

A pre-commencement concert prior to the morning ceremony for undergraduate students begins at 9:20 a.m. with the SDSU Symphonic Band under the direction of Jim McKinney. Professor Emeritus of Music Charles Canaan will be organist for the afternoon ceremony for graduate students, according to University Relations.

Rickerl said the graduate commencement was being held in the PAC because it will provide a more intimate setting. Doctorate-receiving students and pharmacy students will be seated on the stage so they can be recognized by the audience. Masters’ students will be seated in the back of the main floor but will walk on stage to receive their diploma, similar to other graduation commencements.

Madeleine Andrawis, academic senate chair, is responsible for presenting the graduation class to President David Chicoine and the Board of Regents during the ceremony and recognizes the Academic Senate and graduating senators. She said the two ceremonies will be similar and include speakers. In addition, faculty awards will be given out and music provided by the band and chorus will be included in the commencements, said Helling.

Honorary marshals for the undergraduate ceremony are Robert Burns, dean of the Honors College and distinguished professor of political science, and Doris Giago, associate professor of journalism. Honorary marshals for the graduate ceremony are Mary O’Connor, professor and coordinator of graduate studies in English, and John Ruffolo, associate dean of research and sponsored programs and the graduate school, according to University Relations.

The public is invited to both exercises. The morning ceremony in the Frost Arena can also be viewed on Mediacom Channel 2.

Helling encourages everyone to attend the ceremonies and said it is a wonderful experience to cap off the college experience for students and their families.

For more information on the day’s events, contact Mary Kay Helling, associate vice president for Academic Affairs at 688-4173 or mary.helling@sdstate.edu.