South Dakota Board of Regents Records

Identity elements

Reference code

SDSU-Archives UA 052.05

Level of description

Records

Title

South Dakota Board of Regents Records

Date(s)

  • 1911-2008 (Creation)

Extent

22.42 linear feet (22 records boxes, 1 document case)

Name of creator

Administrative history

In 1890, the South Dakota Legislature established a governing board for higher education, creating a nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the governor and officially known as the Regents of Education. This board operated in conjunction with each institution’s individual Board of Trustees, which retained primary authority over local decision-making and institutional operations.

This dual system of governance continued for six years. However, administrative inefficiencies and conflicting oversight prompted legislative reform. In November 1896, the South Dakota Constitution was amended to establish a single, centralized five-member Board of Regents with full authority over all public educational institutions in the state.

Over time, the Board’s structure evolved. Today, the South Dakota Board of Regents is composed of nine members, including one student regent. Regular regents serve six-year terms, while the student regent serves a two-year term. The Board acts as the constitutional governing body for six public universities and two special schools in South Dakota. Its responsibilities include approving institutional budgets, curricula, faculty appointments, and salary structures, among other governance duties.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

This collection is composed of the official minutes, agendas, and publications generated by the South Dakota Board of Regents, spanning from 1923 to 2006. Materials were collected by the Office of the President and various departments at South Dakota State University for institutional reference. The minutes document the proceedings and decisions of the Board across multiple decades and include indexes with subject notations in later volumes, enhancing accessibility to specific topics discussed. Supporting documents include fiscal reports, policy updates, meeting agendas, and committee materials from the Board’s work on academic affairs, student affairs, finance, and governance. A significant portion of the publications consists of formal policy guides, faculty leave and tenure documents, athletic rules, and union agreements, such as the University Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement (2005–2008). Of particular note are unique items such as correspondence from SDSU President Carol Peterson and honorary degree documentation for Robert T. Wagner.

The collection demonstrates the administrative structure, decision-making processes, and evolving governance of South Dakota’s public higher education system. It is an essential resource for understanding the history and policy shifts within the South Dakota Regental System, particularly as they affected South Dakota State University. Its breadth of coverage offers insight into system-wide coordination, budget planning, faculty relations, and academic policy formation throughout the 20th century and into the early 2000s.

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Conditions of access and use elements

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.

Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.

If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.

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

Physical access

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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    Related archival materials

    South Dakota Board of Regents minutes of the meeting, 1963-
    Pierre, S.D.: Board of Regents; [19--?]-
    Call number: L200.M52

    Online content:

    South Dakota Board of Regents https://www.sdbor.edu/Pages/default.aspx

    Related descriptions

    Notes element

    General note

    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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