Council of Higher Education [COHE] Records

Identity elements

Reference code

SDSU-Archives UA 049

Level of description

Records

Title

Council of Higher Education [COHE] Records

Date(s)

  • 1969-2021 (Creation)

Extent

1.42 linear feet [1 record box, 1 document case]
4 floppy disks

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Administrative history

Efforts to unionize faculty at South Dakota State University and across South Dakota occurred throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Early attempts by the American Association of University Professors and the South Dakota Higher Education Faculty Association were ultimately unsuccessful but contributed to the establishment of the Council of Higher Education (COHE).

In 1978, the South Dakota Board of Regents officially recognized COHE as the exclusive representative of the collective bargaining unit for higher education faculty. COHE is authorized to negotiate matters related to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, grievance procedures, and other terms and conditions of employment.

The bargaining unit represented by COHE includes full-time and regular part-time instructional and research faculty at public colleges and universities, the Agricultural Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension Service, Auxiliary Services, the South Dakota School for the Visually Handicapped, and the South Dakota School for the Deaf. Supervisory personnel are excluded from the unit.

Excluded from the bargaining unit are faculty at the Medical School, Law School, and Institute of Atmospheric Sciences; as well as deans, directors, department chairpersons and heads, principals, superintendents, program managers, supervisory and managerial staff, emeritus faculty, teaching and research assistants, clinical faculty, county agents, county home economists, and ROTC personnel.

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Scope and content

This collection documents the activities and governance of the Council of Higher Education (COHE) at South Dakota State University in its role as the collective bargaining representative for faculty. Materials include multiple agreements between COHE and the South Dakota Board of Regents (SD BOR), as well as constitutional documents, correspondence, committee records, faculty feedback, and proposed contract amendments. Also included are newsletters issued by COHE and affiliated organizations, highlighting ongoing negotiations, legislative developments, and organizational updates.

The collection features documentation on faculty salary agreements and regression studies, workload policies, shared governance, and institutional planning during times of budgetary constraint. Membership records, including lists, notes, and committee materials, are also present, offering insight into faculty involvement and union organization. Notable items include the Mickelson Bill, SDSU’s plan of action to preserve collective bargaining rights, and joint statements from COHE and public universities.

These records illustrate the history and evolution of faculty labor relations in South Dakota higher education, especially at SDSU, and reflect broader efforts to formalize faculty working conditions and shared governance through collective bargaining.

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Conditions governing access

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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)

The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

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In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.

If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

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Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:

  • Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
  • Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
  • Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
  • Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
  • Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.

    For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.

Languages of the material

  • English

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    Copyright and Use Statement

    In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

    Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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