Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
South Dakota State University. Dept. of Student Union and Activities
South Dakota State University. Division of Student Affairs. Department of Student Union and Activities
South Dakota State University. Student Union and Activities
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The first student union at South Dakota State University, Pugsley Union, was completed in 1940 and named for former president Charles W. Pugsley. It served as the center of campus life and housed facilities such as the Jungle cafeteria and Christy Ballroom. In 1973, a new University Student Union was constructed to accommodate increased enrollment and expanded student activities. A major renovation and expansion in 2004 updated the facility and reconfigured interior spaces, including the Main Street area. Pugsley Union was later repurposed as the Pugsley Continuing Education Center.
The Student Union and Activities office oversees the University Student Union and coordinates co curricular programming that supports student leadership, engagement, and campus activities. The Union houses the Students’ Association, student publications, campus radio station KSDJ, Student Legal Services, the Center for Student Engagement, dining services, and the University Bookstore. The office also supports more than 240 student organizations, the University Program Council, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and New Student Orientation. Services administered through the Union include technical services, central reservations, leisure skills programming, and event coordination, making the facility the primary gathering place for student life.