It is pretty simple for the SDSU football team: win and you are in. The Jacks are currently sitting at 7-3 with losses coming to Southern Illinois, Minnesota and Cal Poly and a win over perennial contender Northern Iowa. "Obviously for our program and to me and the university and hopefully fans and people around would have some pride in being in a national tournament," SDSU Athletic Director Justin Sell said.
In April 1986, 19-year-old freshman Jeanne Clery was tortured, raped and murdered in her dorm room by another student at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Her killer was able to enter her room easily because three of the residence hall's doors - which were supposed to be locked - had been propped open during the night.
SDSU Young Hall CA Chris Dekker is making a slow recovery after battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia and H1N1. Dekker's parents, Cheryl and Doug, said that on Oct. 16, Chris had a fever and mild flu-like symptoms. On Oct. 19, he visited the Student Health Clinic on campus and was tested for H1N1.
In the 88 years the National Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest has been held, this is the first year a team has taken the top three places in the undergraduate division. SDSU's dairy products judging team earned that title. "It was awesome for us to go up there, receiving award after award," said participant Nicole Stevens, a junior double majoring in agricultural communications and dairy manufacturing.
Most students have had close encounters with the many Web sites in the SDSU technological platform: making a perfect schedule without Friday classes on WebAdvisor, taking a quiz on Desire 2 Learn or checking the Jacks' stats on GoJacks.com. Yet one Web enigma always seemed to linger: the MyStateOnline site.
New two-family duplex buildings in Brookings will soon need to provide off-street parking spots due to a new zoning ordinance. "Any duplex or two-family unit in Brookings that has three or more bedrooms in each unit will need to provide off-street parking for its residents," said City Manager Jeff Weldon.
Wired Ethernet ports have returned to Mathews Hall after the instability of its wireless Internet caused academic problems and resident frustration. One wired port per room was installed in the hall on Nov. 10, said Mike Adelaine, vice president for information technology.
Students who have to leave school unexpectedly should soon be able to get their parking passes refunded. The Parking and Traffic Committee approved a refund structure at its Nov. 10 meeting. These refunds are meant to help students who leave in the middle of the semester due to unforeseen situations or those who bought a pass but then decide not to attend SDSU.
South Dakota-based hospital system, Sanford Health, has merged with North Dakota-based MeritCare hospitals, becoming one of the country's largest integrated health care systems. The change included the facility's new name, Sanford Health-MeritCare, effective Nov. 2.
Tucked in an alley behind McDonald's and Zesto, A to Z Furniture decided it was time for a new, less hidden location. As of Oct. 20, the business is now located on Main Avenue, just south of Skinner's Pub. "It's a better location, and a lease was open," owner and operator Kelan Bludhorn said.
Provost Laurie Nichols announced at a town hall meeting on Nov. 9 that SDSU has been recommended for accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. The team recommended a 10-year full accreditation after concluding their exit report on Nov. 4 and was pleased with many of the university's programs and functions.
South Dakota's Opportunity Scholarship is being reduced because of lack of funding due to the recession. Students are wondering if the Jackrabbit Guarantee will also be in trouble. "If I didn't have scholarships, I would have to take out more loans," said Rachel Hansen, a sophomore majoring in Pre-Pharmacy originally from Sibley, Iowa.
If you are interested in learning more about different cultures and world travel, look no further than the International Conversation and Coffee Group. This group usually meets about twice a month at 8 p.m. on Thursday nights to hang out, enjoy a cup of brew and listen to a speaker's unique experience in a foreign country.