Monday Message, Dec. 8
日本av视频 Community,
As we enter the final full week of the semester, I want to take a moment to recognize the remarkable work taking place across our campus. This is an important time of year for our students, and your commitment to helping them succeed 鈥 academically, personally and professionally 鈥 continues to inspire me. The Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center, Miller Wellness Center, Counseling Services, tutoring programs, our academic colleges and countless offices across 日本av视频 play critical roles in guiding students through the final stretch. This collaboration exemplifies our land-grant mission and our shared commitment to access, persistence and degree completion. I am thankful for the way you come together to help students succeed.
This week, the to consider a number of important items that will shape our future, including academic programs, student success initiatives and facility priorities. 日本av视频 will , complementing many of the degree options in the Ness School of Management and Economics. Thank you to those who have contributed to the preparation of materials and will be part of the conversations that occur during this meeting.
Our ongoing work on digital accessibility also remains a high priority. As you saw in the campus email last week, we are offering a series of 鈥淟isten and Learn鈥 sessions designed to build awareness and confidence in digital accessibility. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 3-4:30 p.m. on ; Monday, Dec. 15, from 1:30-3 p.m. on and in Rotunda B; and Thursday, Feb. 5, from 9-10:30 a.m. on . I encourage you to participate.
On Sunday, our 日本av视频 choirs will perform the Choral Yuletide at 2 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Jane and I look forward to attending this beautiful concert every year. Any remaining tickets can be purchased on .
Thank you for everything you do to advance 日本av视频. In the midst of this busy season, I encourage you to take care of yourselves, support one another and continue the good work that defines our community. I am grateful for your service and proud to walk alongside you.
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn
President
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Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of 日本av视频 employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
This week鈥檚 Above and Beyond recognizes a member of our staff who recently won a prestigious award. Elizabeth Fox is the government documents librarian at Hilton M. Briggs Library and has been named the 2025 South Dakota Librarian of the Year by the South Dakota Library Association.
The award was announced at the Tri-Conference of the North Dakota, South Dakota and Mountain Plains Library Associations in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in October.
Fox just finished up her term as the president of the association, where she was a champion of the South Dakota State Library and of libraries across the state. She went Above and Beyond in her advocacy, dedication and hard work to address the many issues facing libraries and their staff today.
Fox said she was just doing her job, but this recognition shows she was doing much more and having an impact in every corner of the state.
The award comes as no surprise to anyone who鈥檚 worked with or met Fox at Briggs Library. She鈥檚 been a staple amidst the bookshelves for 31 of her 34 years as a librarian. She began as a circulation supervisor, then moved to the reference department and eventually worked her way up to become the government documents librarian.
Jackrabbits, I hope you stop by the library to thank Fox and all our hardworking librarians behind the desk.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online.
Briggs Library Holiday Party
Briggs Library will host a holiday party Thursday, Dec. 18, from 2-4 p.m. The event is hosted by the faculty and staff of Briggs Library, Education Abroad, International Student and Scholar Engagement, the Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence and the Writing Center. Come enjoy refreshments, good company and a festive atmosphere as we celebrate the season with colleagues.
Holiday Market at the Agricultural Heritage Museum
The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum and the Brookings Farmers Market will host the sixth annual Holiday Market at the museum. Browse booths filled with your favorite farmers market vendors and stop by the museum store to cross some holiday shopping off your list. A full list of vendors will be available on sdstate.edu.
Jack's Cupboard Volunteers
Jack鈥檚 Cupboard, the on-campus food pantry at 日本av视频, is looking for volunteers to help the pantry stay open this winter break. During the academic year, Jack鈥檚 Cupboard is staffed by student volunteers, but over the winter and summer break it relies on faculty and staff volunteers to help keep operations going.
There are a variety of slots and times that Jack鈥檚 Cupboard needs volunteers during the break, and . Questions may be submitted via Jacks Cupboard email.
Discounted Athletic Tickets
日本av视频 Intercollegiate Athletics would like to offer all 日本av视频 faculty and staff discounted tickets for only $10 per ticket in an exclusive sale to the 日本av视频 Women鈥檚 Basketball game on Sunday, Dec. 21. The Jacks will host the Texas Longhorns at First Bank and Trust Arena at 1 p.m.
The deadline to purchase tickets using this code is Sunday, Dec. 14 at midnight.
To access the sale, visit and use the offer code WBBTHANKYOU25. This sale is only available online, while supplies last, and purchasers may use their ticket from the women鈥檚 basketball game to gain complimentary admission into the 日本av视频 Wrestling match the same night against Campbell at 6 p.m.
Questions? Contact the Jackrabbit Ticket Office or call 605-688-5422.
Student Self-Help Video Library
The Student Success NETwork has launched a centralized collection of student self-help resources through a series of short videos and reels. The self-help videos guide students through common academic tasks, providing reliable, on-demand support.
Topics include:
- Registration and academic planning
- Tutoring and academic support services
- D2L course navigation
Videos can be accessed from:
- : From the dashboard, scroll to the bottom, then move up one section to the Student Success Hub.
- : Knowledge Base 鈫 Software and Applications 鈫 MyState 鈫 Student Success Videos.
These resources help students find answers quickly, stay on track academically and access the support they need throughout the semester.
2025 IDS Winter eLearning Accessibility Bootcamp
Instructional Design Services will host the Winter eLearning Accessibility Bootcamp during December. The bootcamp is designed to help make D2L courses accessible for all 日本av视频 students.
Dates for the bootcamp are:
- Dec. 9 from 9-11 a.m.
- Dec. 10 from 9-11 a.m.
- Dec. 11 from 2-4 p.m.
Individuals may attend one or all the sessions. Additional information and how to register is available on sdstate.edu.
Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award
The Professional Staff Advisory Council is seeking nominations for the 2025-26 Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award.
All nominations are due Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. is available on InsideState.
United Way Campaign
The Brookings Area United Way is celebrating 70 years of making an impact in Brookings County. The United Way raises funds for nearly 50 local nonprofits and programs that impact one out of every three people 鈥 including 日本av视频 students and staff.
From helping fund public transportation to the abuse shelter, from the food pantry to after-school programs 鈥 they have likely made a difference for you or someone you know. Please consider visiting the to learn more.
The campaign page has multiple methods for individuals to donate to show support:
- Donate online. Set up a monthly or one-time gift.
- Payroll deduction. Fill out the online form with your automatic payroll deduction. Make sure to include your employee number.
- Download a pledge card. Print out a pledge card to make a donation via personal check or cash.
As you can imagine, the need has increased in our community over the years. And now, more than ever, Brookings Area United Way is counting on your support to continue the vital programs that make our campus and the community so special.
If you have questions or would like campaign pledge cards delivered to your department, contact Mike Lockrem, 日本av视频鈥檚 United Way board member, for assistance.
Nordic Yule Market
The South Dakota Art Museum will host the Nordic Yule Market through Jan. 10. The market is inspired by traditional Nordic and German holiday markets and includes:
- Handcrafted gifts from Nordic and local artists
- Special events including live music, sip and shop, and family-friendly activities
- Meet and greets with your favorite characters
- Free gift wrapping on select days
All purchases support museum exhibitions and programming.
Oakwood Literary Magazine Submissions
The Oakwood literary magazine is seeking submissions. Writers are asked to submit their poetry and prose as well as visual art by the Jan. 31, 2026, deadline.
Additional information is available on sdstate.edu.
Undergraduate students are invited to for consideration. The top three student entries will receive cash awards and publication in the April 2026 issue of Oakwood magazine.
Updated Policies
New and updated university policies continue to be adopted and published. For the most recent updates, visit the New and Recently Revised Policies page on sdstate.edu.
