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Richard H. Sowell (1922-2022) was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He served in the army 389th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion during World War II, acting as the scout photographer for five years. After the war he continued to develop his photography skills, taking classes led by Ansel Adams. He was a photographic technician with the Audio-Visual Photo Lab at South Dakota State and became the university’s head photographer in 1967. After retiring from SDSU, Sowell remained an ardent photographer and earned awards for his nature pictures.

The Women's Studies Program at South Dakota State University [SDSU] is an interdisciplinary program enabling the student to select courses dealing directly or indirectly with women, including the development of feminism, women's changing roles in the family, religion, the labor force, and politics. This program is particularly useful for students expecting to work with women in social work, counseling, nursing, business or education. SDSU offers a minor in this program.

The South Dakota Water Resources Institute was conceptualized in 1964 through the Water Resources Act and began services on October 8, 1954, as an administrative unit of South Dakota State University. In September, 1990, the Institute was placed under the administrative authority of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. The mission of the Institute is to provide the leadership in coordinating the research and training at the University and other affiliated educational institutions and agencies across the state in the broad area of water resources. It administers funds received from the U.S. Department of Interior, as made available through the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 and from the state of South Dakota. Funds received through these sources targeted for research are directed toward solving state, regional, and national water problems. Graduate research training, technology transfer, and information transfer are services, which are provided through the Institute.

The Water Resources Institute also houses the Water Quality Laboratory. This laboratory serves the needs of the people of the state by providing analytical services for determination of inorganic constituents (and some pesticides) in water.

The Water and Environmental Engineering Research Center is located in the College of Engineering. Formerly names the Northern Great Plains Water Resources Research Center, this center conducts research, education and outreach activities through principal investigators who are faculty members in the Engineering College. Projects are funded by governmental agencies, cities and industries, and are focused on engineering solutions to water resources and environmental problems. These solutions often require collaboration with other university departments or off-campus units. The research center also maintains an environmental chemistry laboratory in Crothers Engineering Hall in conjunction with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. The laboratory supports research projects, environmental engineering courses and outreach activities.

The mission of the Center is to enhance the habitability and economic development of the Northern Great Plains through multidisciplinary research of the region's vast water and related land resources. The center supports this mission through the conduct of engineering and related research on significant issues affecting water resources by focusing on various disciplines in higher education such as agriculture, health and social sciences, law, chemistry, and biology in partnership with engineering, to assure a critical mass of researchers working to foster multi- and interdisciplinary work on the conservation, development, management and use of water and related land resources.

The Vice President for Administration oversees campus support, service, and administrative units, ensuring efficient operations and strategic direction. Responsibilities include financial management, personnel services, facilities maintenance, student services, legal affairs, public relations, policy development, campus planning, and alumni and foundation support. This role is vital to the university’s stability, growth, and ability to serve students and faculty effectively.

When World War I broke out in 1917, students began leaving college for the service. After November 11, 1918, when the armistice was signed, many of the discharged servicemen found their way back to the college campus. The people and the Legislature of South Dakota felt there was a responsibility of the state to give these people financial assistance. The South Dakota Legislature of 1919 passed what become known as the "Veteran's Free Tuition Law," with appropriation of $15,000 to pay the veterans tuition. This support continued through 1920.

On December 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II. A large number of the students were once again leaving college and going into military service. While crucial battles of the war still raged on the world fronts, the first servicemen began appearing on the campus during the spring of 1944. The G.I. Bill (Public Law 346) became effective June 22, 1944. Under this law, veterans who met eligibility requirements could receive education or training at government expense, readjustment allowances for unemployment and self-employment, and guaranteed or insured loans for homes, farms, or businesses. The G.I. Bill benefited millions of veterans in their efforts to readjust successfully to postwar living. The education and training program reached its cut-off point on July 25, 1951. Only veterans actually in training on that date or those who had interrupted their training for valid reasons were allowed to continue afterward. Under the program, WWII veterans could go to school or college, or train on-the-job or on the farm, with the Government paying all expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies. G.I. Bill training for WWII veterans came to an end in 1956. On July 16, 1952, a new G.I. Bill was passed, providing benefits for veterans who served during the Korean conflict period.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Act (Public Law 16) came into effect on March 24, 1943. It provided an opportunity for disabled WWII veterans to train for jobs that they could hold. Veterans training under this act received the same rates of subsistence as those under the G.I. Bill. Disabled veterans were able to start training any time after discharge, but had to complete it by July 25, 1956.

South Dakota State University had many students who were affected by the passage of the above laws. The Veterans Advising office was set up following World War II to assist the veterans in making the transition to college, as well as assist them with paperwork and monetary support.

The Honors College at South Dakota State University began in the fall of 1999. President Peggy Gordon Elliott wanted to change the honors program into something more prestigious. She invited Harriet Swedlund and Bob Burns to investigate other honors programs at various colleges and universities, and then develop a program for SDSU.

The College was designed to reflect the characteristics of SDSU faculty and student body. It provides highly motivated students with the opportunity to pursue challenging and flexible honors course study as they simultaneously work toward a degree in any major. The program represents South Dakota State University's continued commitment to rewarding academic excellence, encouraging campus involvement, and developing academic enrichment programs for students.

Students enrolled in the Honors College have the chance to work in smaller class settings without having to sacrifice involvement with other students. It is an opportunity to pursue a more demanding curriculum while having opportunities to share in the full benefits of university life. In turn, the presence of the Honors College students motivates all SDSU students and faculty to achieve at a higher level.

The mission of the South Dakota State University Honors College is to support the highest quality academic and enrichment opportunities for motivated and academically suited undergraduate students. The Honors College features a carefully designed, yet flexible, curriculum and attention to enrichment experiences that instill a sense of pride in academic accomplishment, promote a high level of global awareness, support an understanding of other cultures, enhance communication skills, and contribute to a lifetime commitment to serving community needs. The Honors College is dedicated to the operational principles of flexibility, accommodation, and vision to meet changing conditions.

The University/Industry Technology Service links university resources to industry, business and government to solve technological problems and enhance economic development in South Dakota.

The Student Union and Activities office manages the University Student Union and co-curricular programming for students to develop leadership abilities, increase cultural awareness, and provide recreational activities.

Services provided by the department include the Leisure Skills Center (billiards, video arcade, banner making, rental of camping and cross country ski equipment, off-campus housing), Information Exchange (check cashing, fax service, ticket sales), Technical Services (lighting, staging, and sound for events), and Central Reservations. The Student Enrichment Programs office provides advisement and support for the University Program Council, which includes arts, community service, concerts, Hobo Day, lectures and forums, publicity and graphics, recreation and travel, Showcase, and special events, the Greek system, and all student organizations; as well as the coordination of the New Student Orientation Program.

Other student organizations and services housed in the Union are the Collegian, Jackrabbit publications, Students' Association, the campus radio station (KSDJ 90.7), and Student Legal Services.

The University Program Council is dedicated to enhancing student engagement and student leadership through providing diverse, educational, and entertaining programs. While striving for personal development, UPC instills a sense of community for the student body. The University Program Council is designed to serve as the primary programming organization at SDSU and is composed of various committees for programs and special projects or events. As a recognized student organization at SDSU, UPC is funded through student fees and some program revenue. The 11 student leaders who make up the program board work year-round to provide educational, social, recreational, and cultural programs for the benefit of the South Dakota State University community.

The primary role of the Marketing and Communications (formerly known as University Relations) unit at South Dakota State University is to support the advancement activities of its Foundation, Alumni Association, and Admissions Office. Toward these ends, Marketing and Communications operates a news bureau and publications office, helps plan and coordinate many special events, and advises and assists the administration and other relevant members of the university community on matters pertaining to external and internal university relations issues. The News Bureau unit serves as the source in media communication for SDSU. Marketing and Communications works with and for the college, divisions, and departments to advance their activities by the preparation and release of information to the print media. The Publications Office unit prepares the majority of the publications for the campus by offering photography and design services, helping in the writing of publications, and by working with the Printing Laboratory.

The University College, formerly College of General Studies, offers advising services to deciding students, as well as programs that help students succeed academically and professionally. When the unit started, it served students who did not meet the normal admission requirements. The office was known as "Junior College," a division of Student Services, until 1949, when it became the "Office of Student Personnel and Terminal Courses." The task of advising undeclared students formally became part of the mission in 1969.

In 1970, the departments of admissions, records, and student personnel merged to complete the "Division of Student Services." The Office of General Registration was housed within this division until 1974, when the Board of Regents recognized General Registration as a non-degree granting college. The college, led by Dr. Arnold Menning, created their initial course at this time, now known as UC 101.

The College of General Registration combined with the Department of Placement and moved to Medary Commons in 1984. Then, approximately 600 students were enrolled. It wasn't until 2001 that the name changed to "College of General Studies and Outreach Programs." By that time, the college was authorized to grant a Bachelor of Science in Applied Technical Sciences and in Liberal Studies and an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies.

The college offered these degrees, as well as a leadership minor that began in spring 2008. Also, six specializations for the BATS degree, as well as 11 pre-professional programs designed to prepare students for professional school until its most recent transitions. The college added Career Planning Services in 1977 and developed the Wintrode Tutoring Program in 2005 to further help students succeed in both the academic and professional worlds. /

In 2011, the direction of the College of General Studies began to change from both academic and professional career development to support for at-risk students, primarily assisting the University’s goal of increasing retention rates among first-year students, and ultimately increasing graduation rates. In spring 2011, the College of General Studies piloted a very successful Academic Success program, which continues to serve an increasing number of students each semester. Also, in 2011, the College of General Studies transitioned to University College with Career Planning Services moving under the auspices of the Division of Student Affairs. University College’s focus became the creation and implementation of a First Year Advising Center (FYAC) and introducing a Supplemental Instruction facet to the Wintrode Tutoring Program.

Currently, the Wintrode Student Success Center houses the First-Year Advising Center, the Wintrode Tutoring Program, including Supplemental Instruction, and the Academic Success Program, which now also includes a Peer Mentoring Program. West Hall is the home for the University College Dean and faculty teaching a reorganized First Year Seminar course, as well as Academic and Career Exploration, Mastering Lifetime Learning Skills and READ 041 courses.

In spring 2013, University College will pilot an Exploratory Studies Program to provide students a more streamlined and focused manner in which to identify their major field of study. No longer will students be “undecided”; exploring students will have the opportunity to examine like fields of study and be introduced to academic rigors and opportunities within each of the fields to allow for a greater knowledge base from which to choose their major field of study and academic goals.

South Dakota State University offers degrees at off-campus centers in western, central or southeastern South Dakota. The University Center in Sioux Falls offers degrees in general studies, Human Development and Family Studies, Nursing, Psychology, and Sociology.

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Programs grant was called Activity V and their role was to improve institutional management and student services by networking the academic community on campus.

The Director of the Summer School carried out the policies directing the summer session program at South Dakota State University and authorized the various activities inherent in the summer session program as delegated to the director by the university president. The summer session was eight weeks long, and included courses, workshops and various programs of instruction which were available for shorter periods of time.

The Students’ Association has existed on campus since the early 1900s. The governing board of the Students’ Association was the Board of Control. The board was elected by the student body each spring and consisted of students from each division of the university with the Dean of Men and the Dean of Women as advisers. The president and vice president of the student’s association presided over the board with the president acting as chairman.

The Board of Control spent their time solving campus problems, sponsoring free movies, planning all-campus concerts, sponsoring the beauty pageant, Women’s Day and Leadership Camp, and filibustering about the Publication Council’s reserve fund. Members allocated funds from student fees to individual student enterprises; voted on student activities; and controlled the Students’ Association-owned bookstore. Their vote was the final decision on major student positions. The board also regulated the actions of the various special councils. Nomination of candidates for student president and vice-president formed one of the most important duties of the Board of Control.

The purpose of the organization was to promote and regulate student affairs in the best interests of the college, and to form a connecting link between the student body and the faculty.

The Students’ Association is the primary organization representing the interests, needs and concerns of students on campus. The Students’ Association includes every registered student at SDSU but the work of the Association functions through an elected Student Senate, which is responsible for three major program areas. First, the Senate provides input to the administration, Academic Senate, a wide variety of committees, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the South Dakota Legislature regarding student concerns. Students are represented on virtually every committee on campus, including the Academic Affairs Committee, and have an opportunity to influence policies and procedures during development and implementation. Second, SA provides support services and programs to assist students. Those services run the gamut from providing funding for the SA lawyer who offers legal advice to students to sponsorship of campus-wide educational programs. Finally, SA has the budgetary responsibility for allocation and supervision of funds provided by student activity fees each year.

Student Health was organized to provide a broad range of physical health and psychological services to students at minimal or no cost. As one combined operation, coordinated efforts between health and counseling can be delivered efficiently to meet student needs and reduce interference with students' academic programs and priorities. Student Health focuses on the delivery of outpatient primary care, medical consultation and referral, wellness education, human sexuality services and health insurance programs. Student Health provides short-term mental health services, including individual counseling, personal growth group experiences, study skills and test anxiety workshops, consultation and training with other departments on campus and referral to other mental health agencies. Student Health is committed to a student development approach, which is reflected in an emphasis on wellness and self-responsibility.

The major programs offered by Student Health cover virtually all aspects of health care. Physical health activities involve primary care by a comprehensive staff of physicians, nurses and other support personnel. The clinic is capable of addressing any outpatient needs including referral to specialists in Brookings and elsewhere. Wellness and health education programs are emphasized in clinic care and outreach activities. Mandatory immunization management, medical testing clinics and medical record reviews are conducted in cooperation with academic and administrative departments. Management of student health insurance programs is also conducted through the clinic administrative staff.

The history of theater at South Dakota State University began with the formation of eight literary societies in the 1880s that eventually merged into a short-lived dramatic club in 1923. These early societies organized various farces and plays, and instituted theater traditions such as the Senior Class Play. In 1930, a new club called the Footlight club became the prominent dramatic society on campus. By 1939, plays on campus were officially under the supervision of the Forensics and Dramatics Council in the Speech Department. This council oversaw all plays in conjunction with the State Players Dramatic Club (founded in 1949).

A chapter of Alpha Psi Omega was officially organized in 1949 on the SDSU campus and was extremely active on campus in the 1950s. The first designated technical director of plays at SDSU was Lawrence Stine in 1952 and starting in 1953, SDSU student were eligible to receive college credit for participating in plays. In 1956, Broadway musicals entered the theater repertoire of SDSU, with their production of South Pacific (as one of the first non-professional group to ever run it). Summer theater productions were established at SDSU in 1956 and Rabbit Rarities and Vaudeville shows were also introduced in the 1950s.

State University Theatre eventually became a branch of the Department of Communication Studies and Theater but is also a part of the School of Preforming Arts at South Dakota State University. Plays and productions have been held in over 14 different facilities on campus with the most recent being the Doner Auditorium and the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

A chronological and conclusive history of the theatre programs at SDSU has only been recorded from 1892 – 1992. Documentation of the theater program after 1992 has been recoded but not yet complied into a conclusive history.

The Stakota Club was organized in the early 1940's and was originally called the Cottontails. The Cottontails were reorganized in order to establish a more unified pep organization. It was a co-ed group that was selective in its membership. The club's primary purpose was to promote pep and spirit at university basketball and football games. Dressed in navy and white, the coeds did pom-pom routines to the music of the pep band. The club also promoted school spirit by shouting along with the cheerleaders during games. The club occasionally traveled with the sport teams to away games. The Jackrabbit mascot was sponsored by this group. The Stakota Club sponsored Pep Week, which included electing a Pep King and Queen and holding an annual banquet and dance. In addition, the members served coffee after football games, helped with registration during Parents' Day and held a spring car wash. In April 1969, the Stakota Club decided to go inactive indefinitely due to lack of sufficient membership to conduct business.

The South Dakota Space Grant Consortium is a program funded in part by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Consortium members are South Dakota State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Augustana College and the EROS Data Center. Goals of the Consortium are to create an enthusiasm for aerospace science among students and faculty and to encourage them to pursue careers in related fields.

The purpose of the SDSU Advisory Council was to bring about a clearer understanding of the objectives, activities, problems and needs of South Dakota State University as related to the needs of the State of South Dakota.

The primary function of the council was to consult with the university administration concerning objectives, problems and needs of the university, to study such subjects from the point of view of the citizens and the public welfare, and to place its conclusions before the university administration and through appropriate channels to the citizens of the state.

This council did not operate as a legislative lobby, nor did it supplant any existing organization concerned with special phases of the college activities.

The Advisory Council comprised of members from all over the state representing many forms of business.

D. Theodore Schultz was South Dakota State University's only graduate to have been awarded a Nobel Prize. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979 for his theory of investing in human capital. The committee was organized to remember Schultz with a number of campus events or activities the would celebrate Dr. Schultz's feat.

The main duties of the Scholastic Standards Committee were to approve all curricula, including all course changes; recommend graduate requirements to the faculty; establish student trip policy; establish minimum standards in communication skills; be in charge of scholastic probation; and act as an advisory committee to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

The Department of Residential Life administers programs and facilities for all on-campus housing. Residence halls at South Dakota State University are living/learning centers where students are challenged to develop as individuals, as well as to study and to meet other students. All unmarried students are required to enter into residence hall and food service contracts with the University. Students who have completed four semesters of full time enrollment or who are two or more years beyond graduation from high school are excused from these requirements. Family student housing and some apartments are available at the University. The Department of Residential Life offices also administer the university food service. The University Food Service is committed to provide a food service program at SDSU that is both economical and of the highest quality. SDSU's food service program utilizes a computer-based declining cash balance system, uniquely designed to help students manage their individual food service accounts. All SDSU students living in residence halls are required to purchase at least a Base meal plan. Other students, faculty, and staff may voluntarily purchase discounted food programs at established rates.

The Remnant Trust is a public educational foundation that shares an actively growing collection of original and first edition works dealing with the topics of liberty and dignity with some pieces dates as early at 1250. The Trust made this collection available to South Dakota State University for use by students, faculty, scholars, and the general public. Those exposed were encouraged to touch, feel, and read the originals. The titles were loaned to South Dakota State University during the fall semester of 2005. Fifty titles were housed in the SDSU Archives & Special Collections department in Hilton M. Briggs Library.

The Publications Council served as the advisory board for all publications that appeared on the South Dakota State College campus. This Council consisted of two faculty members named by the President of the University, student members (the editors and business managers of the Collegian and the Jackrabbit), the editor or business manager of each of the other recognized student publications, and other members named by the Board of Control. This Council had charge of the affairs connected with the Collegian and the Jackrabbit and had supervision of the other student publications as provided in the constitution.

Any individual, group or organization wishing to start a new publication or program had to first secure the approval of the Council. The Publications Council along with the Board of Control also had the power to control the kind of advertising that appeared in every student publication. Other duties of the Publications Council were to recommend applications for major publications jobs, such as an engraver for the Jackrabbit, and vote on contracts for such jobs. / Another duty of the Publications Council was to nominate and recommend candidates for the business manager and managing editor of the Jackrabbit and the Collegian. Applications from students in the incoming Junior or senior classes were submitted to the Council. The applications for editor of the Collegian were accompanied by at least three original editorials and three news articles written by the applicants. A candidate for the Collegian editor also had to have at least one year's experience on the Collegian staff. Applicants for both the Collegian and the Jackrabbit had to satisfy the scholastic requirements of the college at the time of their selection. The Council forwarded their recommendation of two candidates for each position to the Board of Control who selected the managing editor and business manager. The Council also recommended to the Board of Control what salaries were paid to the staffs of the publications under its control. / The council appears to have been dissolved around 1970. Today, there is a Media Council that serves the same basic duty as advisory board and advocate for Collegian, Jackrabbit Yearbook and KSDJ Radio Station.

In February of 1942, the Regents of Education of South Dakota adopted a plan for the college organization to be changed to from a Junior and Senior College Division. The functions of the Junior College Division included student personnel services, Senior College preparatory curricula, and terminal curricula. Raymond Y. Chapman was employed as the Director of this Division. In 1949, the Junior College organization was abandoned as such and the Division of Student Personnel Services was organized with Chapman as Dean. As the college grew and administrations changed, the responsibilities of the Division of Student Personnel Services increasingly enlarged and the several student personnel services on the campus were centralized in the Division of Student Personnel Services. This centralization was an apparent effort to reduce the number of individual departments reporting directly to the president of the college and place certain responsibilities in a more limited number of offices and officials. In 1969, an Associate Dean of Student Personnel Services was appointed in order to prepare for the retirement of R.Y. Chapman, who had been Dean since the Division was established in 1949. Plans also began for the reorganization of the Division into a comprehensive Student Services Division. New programs and revised procedures were initiated during 1970. The Division was again reorganized in 1986 and the name was changed to Student Affairs Division. This name remains today.

Until 1958, the Dean of the Division of Student Personnel Services was primarily responsible for determination of administrative policy and program direction of the division and was advised by the president of the college and the Administrative Council together with the actions and recommendations by the faculty and department heads. The Committee on Student Personnel Services also advised the dean. This committee, which was appointed by the president, was chaired by the dean and consisted of the Dean of Women, Dean of Men, Director of Student Activities, Director of Housing, Director of Food Services, the college nurse, and student personnel. This committee served as a policy-recommending group and on a consulting basis until the 1958-60 biennium when the committee was abandoned. Beginning in 1958, staff meetings including representatives of all phases of Student Personnel Services were initiated to facilitate communications within the division.

The Student Affairs Division provides services and activities, which are designed to help the student gain the greatest benefit from their university education. This purpose has been reflected in the annual and biennial reports throughout the years.

Many functions are controlled within the framework of the Student Affairs Division. These functions are: testing services, student counseling services, orientation of new students, administration of the General Registration program, terminal course program, in-service training of faculty counselors, educational research and measurement, teaching of counselor practicum course, veterans records, loans and scholarships, and placement of students (part- and full-time). Responsibilities of the Student Affairs Division that have been handled primarily by the dean over the years are freshman and New Student Week, Student Personnel Records, General Registration, and Terminal Curricula.

Some functions are controlled cooperatively within the framework of the Student Affairs Division and outside agencies. These functions are student health services, student housing, student activities, food services, admissions and records activities, and high school relations activities.

The Office of the President is responsible for regulating and overseeing the general administration of the university. Along with various administrative duties, each year the president prepares an annual report, which is delivered to the Board of Regents. This report generally includes information about past and present university affairs and policies, as well as future plans and suggestions.

Originally, the president performed most of the university's administrative duties. Presidents often were members of the faculty as well. As administrative functions became more complex, the duties of the president were spread among other administrators. The Board of Regents appoints the president of the university.

As part of the Graduate School, the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provides services to the University community in the areas of research development and external funding for research, scholarship, creative activities, and other sponsored projects. South Dakota State University is committed to excellence in both basic and applied research, as well as other scholarly and creative activities associated with the University's mission. An effort is maintained to discover new ideas, processes, and developments that will expand and strengthen the state's industrial and agricultural economy. Research and scholarly activities are considered integral, essential, and traditional parts of university life involving faculty, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The research program provides an atmosphere of encouragement for these activities in all segments of the institution.

Some services and activities of the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs include maintaining a database on the expertise and research interests of investigators, and obtaining and disseminating information on sponsoring agencies and funding opportunities using a large grants database to identify appropriate funding sources. It also facilitates interdisciplinary projects, supports research project and grant application development through seminars and workshops for investigators, and provides individual assistance in the preparation and submission of grant applications. ORSP facilitates administrative review and submission of grant applications and contract proposals, insures that grant applications conform to University policies and comply with federal regulations, and negotiates with funding agencies on terms and conditions for grants and agreements. Finally, ORSP is a point of contact for external funding agencies, maintains records of pending applications, and tracks the status of proposals.

The Office of Remote Sensing was established in 1969 as the Remote Sensing Institute. Senator Karl Mundt was instrumental in bringing the program to South Dakota. It is funded by both state and federal funds. Its purpose is to use multispectral remotely sensed imagery and geographic information systems for natural resource studies and mapping projects in South Dakota and throughout the world.

The Records and Registration office maintains official records on enrollment, biographical student data, grades, credits, and degrees conferred. This office administers registration and assesses tuition and fees and prepares and sends transcripts when written, signed requests are received from students. They process enrollment verification and check for athletic eligibility. It is their responsibility to prepare semester schedules, assign classrooms; supply reports and analysis of enrollment, grades and other scholastic matters. The Registrar coordinates with college deans the procedure for clearing candidates for graduation and submitting candidate lists; and assists with the graduation ceremonies.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs at South Dakota State University develops campus initiatives that demonstrate the valued practices and philosophy of multiculturalism within the university community. Programs and activities developed by the office promote high achievement among the increasing number of minority students at the university. The office enhances and complements the university's mission by broadening social, cultural, educational, and recreational experiences of students. The Office of Multicultural Affairs offers support to students of color, implements multicultural programming, coordinates the National Student Exchange and the Minority Peer Mentor programs, and assists in the recruitment of students of color.

The Minority Student Orientation is another program associated with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. This program is for new ethnic minorities (African American, Asian American, American Indian, or Latino) students attending South Dakota State University. This program gives students the opportunity to establish friendships and meet the people who will be there throughout their college education.

Cultural Organizations associated with this office include the African Students' Association, Bangladesh Students' Organization, Chinese Students Association, Indian Students' Association, International Relations Club, Arabian Club, Black Student Alliance, Japanese Students' Association, Islamic Cultural Club, Malaysian Students' Association and the Native American Club. Archives related to these and other student organizations are filed under: UA 35 Student Organizations.

The Minority Peer Mentor Program is intended to help ethnic minority students make a successful academic and social transition to life at South Dakota State University and the community of Brookings, S.D. The program is designed to support the students' academic progress and social adjustment to the SDSU environment by utilizing university offices, departments, faculty, staff, programs and student organization to provide assistance, encouragement and practical experiences.

The purpose of this program is to assist the University in maintaining a consistent minority enrollment with a focus on retention and graduation by providing students with a support system that is based on a one-to-one interactive relationship between upper-class students and ethnic minority freshmen students.

The goal of the program is to develop intellectual curiosity, teach academic and time management skills, discuss cultural issues, and address personal and interpersonal concerns.

The role of a peer mentor is to act as peer advisors to their mentees. They discuss issues, concerns, and/or difficulties their mentee is experiencing. Mentors will be responsible for establishing supportive relationships with participating freshmen. They provide resource information and referrals to various campus resources. Mentors serve as role models to incoming freshmen by maintaining high academic standards.

The Office of International Affairs serves as the administrative unit at SDSU where programs and activities designed to assist the entire university and its constituents in gaining an international perspective are initiated, coordinated, and managed.

The Office of International Affairs was established in 1988 as the Office of International Programs with Dr. David Hilderbrand as its first director. Dr. Hilderbrand served until fall 1993, when he was appointed Director of SDSU Sioux Falls Programs. During Dr. Hilderbrand's tenure, it concluded its first international agreements, establishing exchanges with Yunnan Normal University, in Kunming, China; with Chungnam National University, in Taejeon, South Korea; and with Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England, among others.

In November 1993, Associate Professor Harriet Swedlund became Acting Director of International Programs and later, in May 1994, became Director. She served in that capacity until her retirement from SDSU in fall 2003. Under Swedlund, OIA saw dramatic growth, both in numbers of students and faculty traveling internationally, as well as in the number and scope of international agreements concluded with overseas partner institutions. During her nearly 10 years of service to OIA, she oversaw the development of agreements with more than a dozen different international institutions and with two consortia partners: the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) and the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA).

The Office of International Affairs third and current director is Dr. Karl J. Schmidt. Trained in international affairs and history with a specialty in Asia, Dr. Schmidt came to SDSU in September 2003 from Missouri Southern State University, where he was Associate Professor of History and International Studies. Holding a joint appointment between the MSSU Department of History and the Institute of International Studies, Dr. Schmidt taught courses in the history of India and China, as well as international studies, and developed both summer study programs and faculty seminars to India. Under the current director, SDSU has seen an increase in the number of semester-abroad students, and has joined the American Council on Education's Internationalization Collaborative, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP).

The Office of International Programs officially changed its name to the Office of International Affairs in September 2005 to better reflect the variety of its activities.

The Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office and is staffed by a full-time director and four support staff. This office coordinates several areas of assessment and provides various testing services to the university students and community.

Student assessment begins with the collection of data at the freshman level. ACT Assessment or COMPASS scores direct mathematics and English placement. The Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP), a national longitudinal study, gathers basic data on first year students.

Assessment continues at mid-level with department staff administering the proficiency (CAAP) examination. This examination, required by the State Board of Regents, evaluates students in the areas of writing, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.

This office also collects departmental assessment plans. Each term, following the graduating seniors' exit evaluations, departments forward summary data for those graduating students to the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office which records and maintains the data.

The Director serves as a consultant for departmental assessment across campus. Continuing student and alumni surveys are conducted periodically.

Additional services include: providing a testing center for ACT, CLEP, MCAT, and other national assessments; proctoring tests for SDSU and non-SDSU students; managing the proficiency testing as directed by the Board of Regents; scoring tests and providing statistical results for campus faculty; designing surveys; consulting; and processing instructor evaluation forms.

The Financial Aid Office administers student financial assistance programs, including federal and state financial aid, scholarships, and governmental agency awards - BIA, Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc. Approximately 80% of the South Dakota State University students attending full-time receive some type of financial assistance to help pay their educational costs. The Financial Aid Office determines educational costs.

The primary function of the Environmental Health and Safety Office is to assist campus personnel in making South Dakota State University [SDSU] a safe learning and working environment for faculty, staff, and students. The office has the responsibility to implement and enforce various regulatory codes pertaining to any such activities, either in the teaching or research environment. The office provides assistance to any department that needs help in assessing their current conditions.