Services and Facilities

Alumni Office

The Alumni Office is located in the Alumni and Foundation Building on the corner of Washington and 2^nd Street. The Alumni Office takes an active role in maintaining communication with alums in various ways including the University Magazine, various online services and an active alumni social network. It also promotes reunions, and designs and implements recognition programs. One of the most important responsibilities of the alumni office is to maintain an accurate, up to date database of the alumni and friends of the University. This database contains vital information that is used by the university community in maintaining communication links with former students and friends of DSU.

Online Education

The Office of Online Education (OOE) is responsible for program planning, marketing, program implementation and overall management of courses and programs offered online.  The Office of Online Education works to design and develop active and collaborative degree programs at a distance.  OOE is responsible for State Authorization compliance with the laws and regulations of the states, territories and nations (jurisdictions) outside of South Dakota.

The Office of Online Education staff is located in the Tunheim Classroom Building and consist of the Director, an Instructional Design Specialist, a Program Assistant I and a State Authorization Coordinator.  This team serves the needs of students who are enrolled in the online and videoconferencing courses at DSU and in courses at off-campus locations.  The office is the mainstay of distance services to students working with the administrative offices of DSU to provide these services.  The office staff assist faculty in the design and implementation of courses delivered by various forms of technology and proctoring for online courses.  The office can be reached by calling 605-256-5049 or by email at Online@DSU.edu.  The website contains more information.

The video conferencing classrooms on campus are located in the Tunheim Classroom Building (TCB). The public Dakota Digital Network (DDN) video classroom is TCB 103. TCB 109 is the TCB DDN classroom used by instructors.  TCB 111 is a video classroom for instructors also.  Anyone on campus who would like to schedule time in the video classrooms will use 25Live to schedule a session.  For technical support of videoconferencing classrooms and the presentation classroom equipment, please e-mail video@dsu.edu. 

Where the institution has not already considered and acted upon the complaint, the Executive Director will refer the matter to the institutional president for review and action. If the complainant challenges an institutional disposition of the complaint, the Executive Director will provide for an independent review and disposition of the allegations.

The Executive Director may be contacted at:

South Dakota Board of Regents
Office of the Executive Director
306 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 200
Pierre, South Dakota 57501-2545
Phone (605) 773-3455  mail to:info@sdbor.edu

Allegations involving violation of consumer protection laws may also be filed with:

Office of Attorney General Division of Consumer Protection
1302 E Hwy 14 Ste 3
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone (605) 773-4400
1-800-300-1986 (in-state only)
Fax (605) 773-7163    consumerhelp@state.sd.us     online complaint form

Complaint Resolution

Pursuant to the United States Department of Education’s Program Integrity Rule, DSU is required to provide all prospective and current students with the contact information of the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary education institutions offering distance learning or correspondence education within that state.

Students residing in other states while enrolled in a course offered by Dakota State University are encouraged to utilize the institution’s internal complaint or review policies and procedures prior to filing a complaint with the state agency or agencies. However, if the complaint is not resolved through these processes, a student may use the following list to identify the office(s) in the state in which the student resides to which the complaint against any public institution in South Dakota may be filed.

You can contact the Office of Online Education for more information at 605-256-5049 and online@dsu.edu.

Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (OIEA) provides services to prospective and current students, supports the academic and administrative units in developing and evaluating their institutional effectiveness plans and assists the Assessment Coordinating Committee in evaluating DSU’s Academic Assessment Program. The OIEA supports student success and learning by providing assistance in test preparation and by providing services and information to students in a timely, efficient manner. The staff administers the following standardized exams: ACT, CLEP, ACCUPLACER and Major Field Tests.  The office supports the university’s accreditation processes through the Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality Improvement Program.  The office also provides assistance to the academic and administrative units in a broad range of activities including support for regional and program accreditation, conducting and analyzing surveys and administering and ensuring compliance with statewide policies.  The OIEA office works in concert with the Institutional Research office, which serves as the official reporting department of data to external agencies (i.e. IPEDS, US News, NCES, etc.), faculty and staff.

Please contact the OIEA at 605-256-5101 or by e-mail at assessoffice@dsu.edu for additional information. The OIEA website also has information on each of these services.

The Karl E. Mundt Library and Information Commons

The Karl E. Mundt Library’s mission to support the academic programs and information needs of all Dakota State University students, faculty, and staff.  One of the chief responsibilities of an academic library is to train undergraduate and graduate students in information literacy: being able to find, evaluate, and use information to solve problems and to make decisions effectively.  These students should have the knowledge and skills to function successfully as continuous learners in a constantly changing information world.  To successfully meet its mission, the Library provides excellent collections, information systems, services, instruction, and staff.  The Library provides a relaxed and inviting setting for individual and group study.  Wireless access extends to the Library’s pleasant front patio; a very popular spot on a warm sunny day.

The Library provides access to an extensive collection of materials through its online library catalog.  In addition to its print holdings, the Library subscribes to numerous electronic indexes and full text research databases, most notably EBSCO’s Academic Search Premier, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, ProQuest Research Library, ABI-Inform, MLA Bibliography, Lexis-Nexis, Lynda training videos and many, many more. These databases are authoritative scholarly research tools needed to support DSU’s academic programs. In addition, the Library’s collection of e-books continues to grow.

The Library’s website provides the on- and off-campus community with direct access to the information resources critical to the various disciplines. Materials held by other libraries are also readily available through the interlibrary loan, so the Library is able to quickly meet an individuals information needs. The Library also provides online access to tutorials and other research aids for the independent scholar.

The most important and best resources available are the library staff. These trained professionals are here to help you find and use the resources you need - in person or online by using the “Ask US” tab on the Library’s website. Library staff provides assistance and instruction to faculty and students through workshops, classroom and one-to-one instruction.

The Library has a wide array of digital equipment like video cameras and digital audio recorders for use by students.  Meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, study rooms and a recording room equipped with a microphone and green screen are also available. Networked computers and scanners are located on the main floor as are many tables equipped with power sources for quick and easy Tablet PC battery recharging between classes.

The library building is open six days a week during fall and spring semesters, but 24-hour access for most resources and services is available through its website. During the fall and spring semesters, the building is open Sunday - Thursday until midnight with extended hours at the end of the semester.  Visit the Mundt Library’s homepage (http://library.dsu.edu) to search for information, request services, and learn more about the Library.

A helpful staff, attractive surroundings, modern facilities, and extensive materials all combine to make the Mundt Library a vital part of the educational program at Dakota State University.

Student Activities

Dakota State University offers a variety of campus-related activities and organizations. Each provides opportunities for personal, spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth. All students are encouraged to participate in campus organizations. The skill building which results from meaningful involvement combines with formal academic work to produce a competent and confident person. Information on the student activities sponsored or promoted by the institution is available in the Student Services Center in the Trojan Center.

Student Organizations

Student government is vested in the DSU Student Association Senate, which exists to help promote the general welfare of the University and to serve as an organized medium for expression of student opinion. Student Senate is a member of the South Dakota Federation of Student Governing Bodies, which provides an avenue for student communication with the Board of Regents and the public. Students also serve on the majority of the committees involved in institutional governance.

The Student Activities Board plans and conducts social, educational, and recreational events for the University community. This group provides the foundation for activities programming on the campus and offers a variety of opportunities for student involvement.

Dakota State University students publish the campus e-newspaper, The Trojan Times, and students work at the student campus radio station, KDSU, which broadcasts campus, local and national events and music via the internet and public address system in the student union.

Most of the academic disciplines has a student organization associated with it. Examples include the: Phi Beta Lambda Business Club, Computer Club, Health Information Management Club, Women in Science and Technology, Teachers of tomorrow, and Game Design Club.  In addition to providing opportunity for students in a given major to get better acquainted and enjoy working together, these organizations enable their members to supplement their in-class learning by inviting speakers to campus, sponsoring competitive events (both for the campus and for high school students), taking group trips, etc. These organizations also take pride in conducting service projects for the campus and the community.

A number of student organizations exist because their members share a common interest or goal in areas that is other than academic. Examples include the: Gaming Club, Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship, Colleges Against Cancer, and Lights, Camera, Action Film Club.  DSU also have five honor societies:  Delta Mu Delta, Kappa Sigma Iota, The National Society of Leadership and Success, Phi Eta Sigma and Sigma Tau Delta.  Each of these organizations use a set of criteria, such as GPA or number of credits completed, to determine the students that can be invited to become members.  As in the case of the academically related clubs, each of these organizations contributes to the growth of its participants and to the overall learning environment of the campus.

A major responsibility of the Director of Student Activities is to work closely with officers and advisors of student organizations to identify the particular needs of their groups and to design ways and means of meeting these needs. Assistance can take the form of individual meetings between the director and organizational officers, workshops for either officers from all interested organizations or the entire membership of a particular organization, or trips to another institution to visit with counterparts.

A full list of clubs and organizations can be found on the DSU website or on the DSU Portal.

Theatre, Art and Music

Theatre

Students are encouraged to participate in Theatre productions. These activities are available for the student interested in performing or working with the technical aspects of Theatre productions. Productions are staged in the Dakota Prairie Playhouse and range from a principle production each semester to student-directed, one-act plays.

Music and Art

Vocal and instrumental activities are also available on campus. The DSU Pep Band, Choir, and Singers are open to all students wishing to participate and are available either for academic credit. These groups perform at various occasions during the academic year.

Students are also provided opportunities for greater understanding, appreciation, and self-expression in the area of visual arts. Exhibits of faculty and student work appear on several occasions during the academic year in the Mundt Library Gallery. The DSU collection, consisting of art purchased with General Activity Fee funds, is located in offices and display areas across the campus.

Intramural Sports

The Dakota State University Intramural Sports program provides a wide variety of activities designed to encourage participation from every student on campus. Participation in the Intramural Sports program will prove beneficial to students personally, physically, physiologically, and socially. It affords the opportunity to develop the essential qualities of leadership, cooperation, self-reliance, and a sense of fair play as well as forming friendships that will endure throughout the years. The Intramural Sports program offers men, women, and co-ed leagues in flag football, volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee and softball. The Department also sponsors special events and tournaments throughout the school year. Intramural sports activities are listed on the web at http://dsu.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations.

Career Services-Student Employment, Internships & Placement

Connecting with Career Services is the first step of an ongoing relationship designed to help current students and alumni reach their career goals.  It’s the beginning of something which will follow students both during their time at Dakota State University and beyond:  It’s the start of their career.

We encourage students to reach out in their first year to begin fostering a strong and ongoing relationship with our office.  It’s through this connection that our office can provide the most relevant tools and learning experiences for a student’s specific career path. 

Career Services is your source for…

Career Education & Exploration:  Preparing you for the workforce and exploring your interests and skills utilizing a variety of software tools.

Experiential Learning:  Providing you with opportunities which expose you to real-life work experiences, such as internships, job shadowing, site visits, volunteer work, part-time work, coffee chats with employers, alumni mentors, campus leadership roles and more. 

Internship Preparation:  Supporting your search efforts and championing your efforts with helpful strategies. 

Professional Material Review:  Offering feedback on how you are presenting your experience and skill set to best reflect your interest and objective. 

Professional Development - Empowering you to grow personally and professionally by hosting career & internship fairs, employer information sessions, resume, interview and soft skill workshops and more!

Handshake -   Connecting students and alumni with employers and organizations throughout the country with job & internship opportunities.    

The office of Career Services is located in the Learning Engagement Center.   All services are available to campus and online students by contacting career.services@dsu.edu or 605-256-5122.

Bookstore

The Trojan Zone, located in the Student Union on the campus of Dakota State University, offers a street front location on Washington Avenue with convenient parking. The store features required course material/supplies, DSU Licensed Imprinted apparel/gifts, electronic/computer/office supplies, and gaming products. The Trojan Zone’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. with summer hours from 7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Extended hours are observed at the beginning of each semester and for special campus events.

The Trojan Zone seeks  to support and enhance the academic programs of the university by providing required course materials in a variety of formats: new, used, rental, and digital textbooks, all at competitive prices. The Trojan Zone proudly serves students, staff, faculty, family/friends, and alumni of Dakota State, along with the Madison Community. Textbooks may be ordered online by visiting the DSU portal and accessing your courses through WebAdvisor or you may visit the bookstore online at www.dsubookstore.com.

Campus Housing

Dakota State University is committed to providing residence halls which are comfortable and safe and which support personal growth. Not only does the student who lives on campus benefit from interaction with others in his/her hall, but he/she is more aware of the opportunities available on campus for learning and growth and better able to take advantage of them. It is for this reason that the South Dakota Board of Regents requires all unmarried students, during the first two years from the time they were graduated from high school and who are enrolled on a main campus for six or more credit hours, to reside on campus. A student may obtain an exemption from this requirement if they live full-time with their parents.

First year out of high school students will benefit from becoming members of the First Year in Residence Experience program (FYRE).  All first year students will be housed primarily in Higbie and Zimmermann Halls, with some first-year students residing on two floors within Emry Hall.  Upperclassmen halls include Richardson, Emry (two floors) and the 8-plex apartment complex.  Each of the halls is staffed with a resident director, four resident assistants and a custodian.  The Resident Assistants are students hired by the Department of Residence Life to assist the Resident Director in creating and maintaining a quality living-learning environment.  Each hall has a hall council, elected by the occupants, that serves to promote hall spirit and involvement. 

Housing contracts are sent by the Admissions Office to prospective students upon admission to the University.  Room assignments are made by the Department of Resident Life.  Roommate requests will be honored when each person requests the other as a roommate.  First year out of high school students will be assigned to another first year out of high school student.  A limited number of designed single rooms are available in the upperclassmen halls only.  Single occupancy of a double room, at the single room rate, is permitted when space is available, and is basis on seniority in terms of completed credit hours.  All students intending to live in on-campus housing will receive their room assignment newsletter electronically through their DSU email by mid-July and are expected to move into the room assigned to them.

Each room is provided with study desks and chairs, single beds, loft kits, closets/wardrobes and window blinds.  Additional furnishing in reasonable amount and size are permitted according to the room furnishings policy.  Cable TV, local area network access and wireless internet are included in the semester room fee.  Each hall has one or more kitchens, TV lounges and card/coin-operated washers and dryers.

Diversity Services

The principle responsibility of Diversity Services is to educate and enhance the understanding, commitment, awareness, and dedication of the university to pluralism, social justice education, and preparedness to be successful in the evolving “global village”.

Our commitment to diversity and academic excellence is reflected in the following goals for the university.

GOAL 1: To create a university that encourages and models respect for all individuals and provides equitable opportunity for the attainment of professional goals and personal fulfillment.

GOAL 2: To create a diverse community of students that reflects both societal and individual differences.

GOAL 3: To create a diverse community of faculty, staff and administration that reflects both societal and individual differences.

Food Service

DSU is proud to partner with Sodexo for resident dining, catering, Einstein Bros Bagels, Caribou Coffee, and concessions since 2015.  Sodexo is the worldwide leader in Quality of Life, with nearly 427,000 employees in 80 countries across the globe.

Resident Dining:  DSU Dining’s initiative is that every student can find healthy options at any time of the day.  They work closely with Registered Dietitians to provide healthy, fresh, and nutritious meals along with favorite “home cooked” style offerings.  For more information on Sodexo’s Mindful programs, please visit https://mindful.sodexo.com/

Catering:  DSU Dining can provide for your catering needs from a simple coffee service/continental breakfast to a luncheon, reception, elegant dining, BBQ, or buffet service.  DSU Dining will do everything to exceed all expectations you have for your event by providing high quality food and services and will strive to ensure the event you are planning is a total success.  Please visit https://dsucatering.catertrax.com/

Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee:  Partnering with DSU Dining will offer the opportunity to run your favorite coffee hot spot year-round.  There isn’t a better way to start off your day than with a signature latte or an iced coffee from your local Caribou Coffee and bagel from Einstein Bros.  For a view of the entire beverage and lunch menu, please visit.

You can find more information about DSU Dining Services at http://dsu.sodexomyway.com/

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please stop by the Trojan Center and visit with DSU Dining’s General Manager, Javier Lopez at Javier.Lopez@dsu.edu.

Student Development

The Student Development Office, located in the Student Services Center in the lower level of the Trojan Center, provides a variety of services related to student retention. It functions as a central location for students, faculty and staff to establish relationships that will promote personal and academic excellence for each and every student. The personnel within Student Development support student involvement in, and ownership of, their unique learning process. The mission is to help each student succeed academically, socially, and personally in an interdisciplinary world. Relationship development, personal discovery and developmental counseling are tools Student Development staff employ to help students to achieve academic and personal success.

Counseling

Personal: Personal counseling services are readily available and provided by on-staff counselors. Students can access personal counseling, chemical dependency counseling, and therapy services through agencies within the Madison community by referral of Student Development staff. Self-help resources are available for students, faculty, and staff on topics ranging from stress and time management to test anxiety.

Academic: The Student Development Office collaborates with and supports the counseling efforts of academic advisors. Supportive student development professionals will work with students and their professors if difficulties are encountered with their classes. Test anxiety and time and stress management problems are evaluated and solutions are implemented to achieve success in the course.

Probation: Students on academic probation are counseled, mentored, and monitored to facilitate the student’s progress toward good academic standing. Regular meetings are conducted with on-going, individualized attention given to students on academic probation.

Academic Resources

Student Success Center - The Student Success Center is located in the lower level of the Trojan Center and employs Student Success Assistants - students who have learned good academic skills, and are successful at Dakota State. They are also available to assist students in learning basic academic skills like time management, effective note taking and test taking.  They are also available to answer questions about anything from dealing with stress to questions about adjusting to college life. The Student Success Center also contains a variety of resources that assist students in cultivating academic skills that will help them to be successful at the university level.

Tutoring services are available to all DSU students. Tutors are on staff at the tutor desk in the Library & Learning Commons approximately 60 hours per week. For a complete schedule of tutoring services and available content areas, http://dsu.edu/student-life/student-success-center.  DSU students have a variety of options to receive free tutoring services.

On campus tutoring:  Individual and small-group tutoring is available in a variety of subjects at the Karl Mundt Library and Learning Commons, on a walk-in basis.  In addition, tutors are available for subject specific “Help Nights” Monday - Thursday, to First Year Residential Experience (FYRE) students in Higbie Hall.  See Resident Directors for more information.

Online tutoring:  E-tutoring (online) sessions are available to DSU distance students, and University Center students in some subject areas.  Sessions are available on Sundays from 2-10 PM, and Monday - Thursday from 6-10 PM, and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by contacting Patti Beck at patti.beck@dsu.edu or 605-256-5900.

Online writing lab:  The DSU Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides writing assistance to students both on the DSU campus and at a distance.  Students can request assistance or feedback on writing assignments by submitting their essays to OWL@pluto.dsu.edu.

Math Success Center:  The Math Success Center, located in Room 121 in the Habeger Science Building (SC121), provides a supporting tutoring and testing environment for the MATH 095 courses.  Students will have access to instructors or tutors on a daily basis.  As the Math instructor for information on tutoring schedules or heck the Math Success Center website.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

AOD programming assists students in developing healthy life styles. Educational programs, mentoring programs, counseling, and alternative leisure activities contribute to retention and success of students.

Starfish Early Alert Referral System

Starfish Early Alert is a tool that Dakota State University has implemented to enhance academic success and create an effective way for students to communicate with instructors, academic advisors, and other DSU staff.  Starfish is used by instructors to communicate with students who are experiencing academic issues that will hinder their success (flags), or to send positive notes (kudos) regarding outstanding academic performance.  Starfish is accessed through WebAdvisor or D2L.  Using Starfish allows a student to:

• Learn immediately when there’s concern regarding their academic performance, such as poor attendance, low grades, or something else that is interfering with their studies.
• Quickly discover which support services are available, where they are located, and how to reach out to them.
• Schedule time online to meet with an advisor, instructor or other staff that are essential to success.
• Learn the next steps to take to proceed in their academic path or to resolve a concern, and regularly check in on their progress.
• Become inspired by the encouraging messages from the people who recognize their hard work.

Americans with Disabilities

ADA academic assistance is facilitated through the Student Development Office. Professional personnel will counsel, refer, and/or assist students who have ADA-documented disabilities to help them to become successful and accomplished students. Programming is also provided to build student and faculty awareness of ADA issues.

Student Health

Health services for students at Dakota State University have been contracted with Madison Regional Health System at 323 10th Street, SW. Health services are available to students paying the General Activity Fee, for initial examination and medical care, administering of immunization and allergy shots and assistance with health and wellness questions/concerns. The clinic will also present educational programs and provide wellness programming throughout the year.

The South Dakota Board of Regents has endorsed an accident and sickness insurance plan for students taking 5 or more credit hours. The plan which also has provisions for students’ spouses and their dependents. Purchase of the insurance plan is required for all international students who are not permanent residents, their spouses, and their dependents. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain their own health insurance coverage.

University Card

The University Card is the official identification card for the DSU community. The Card provides access to the Library, the Community Center, residence halls and various activities and athletic events. The Card, which is not transferable to another person, should carried at all time on campus.

In addition to serving as an access card, the University Card carries various meal plan choices and can act as a pre-paid, stored-value debit card through a program called Trojan Gold. Funds stored as Trojan Gold may be used at the Bookstore, the Production Center, vending machines, laundry, on campus organization fundraisers, concessions, the Marketplace, Einstein Bros. Bagel, and Bits N’ Bytes on campus convenience store. It can also be used off campus at Classic Corner Convenience, Dairy Queen, Pizza Ranch, Scooby’s Convenience, Stadium Sports Grill, Taco John’s, Sundog Coffee, and The Community Center for personal training sessions or other fee based classes. 

A Trojan Gold account can be opened with an initial deposit of $25 or more.  Funds may be added at any time by means of cash, check or credit/debit card.  You are also able to access the E-Accounts site on the DSU Portal or on the DSU website by clicking on Student Life, Dining Services, Card Services, and then Add Some Trojan Gold at the bottom of the page.  You would sign on with the same login credentials you use for WebAdvisor and/or the DSU portal.  On this site you are able to add funds to your card via credit/debit card, deactivate/reactivate your card if lost or stolen, and look at your personal transactions.  There is also an eAccounts mobile app which can be downloaded to your Apple or Android device by searching for “Blackboard Transact Mobile eAccounts” in the App store.  This app does the same functions as the online web eAccounts but with added convenience of being able to access it on the go.  Before you can add money onto your card via your mobile device, however, you must first have a saved payment at the online eAccounts site as you will not be able to add debit/credit card information through the mobile device.

If a card is lost or stolen, it should be reported immediately to the University Card Office in the Student Services Center or go on to eAccounts or mobile app and deactivate your card.  Once deactivated, funds are protected.