Monday Message, Nov. 10
ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Community,
As we begin another week on campus, I want to remind everyone that ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ will be closed tomorrow, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. This is a time for us to pause and honor those who have served our nation in uniform. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on their service and, if possible, thank a veteran personally.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share an update on the work of the ADA Digital Accessibility Committee. A vital part of ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ’s land-grant mission is ensuring equal access to education and resources for all members of our community. This includes our digital spaces — websites, learning platforms, videos and documents.
Higher education institutions must meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, which require that all digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for users with disabilities. Public universities like ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ must reach full compliance by April 2026.
Our ADA Digital Accessibility Committee has been leading this work, reviewing systems and providing guidance to ensure our materials meet these federal standards. Campus leadership heard about the importance of this effort during last week’s University Management Team meeting, and you will hear more in the months ahead as we continue advancing toward compliance.
However, this is not something the committee can accomplish alone — it will take all of us. Every college, department and unit has a role to play in making sure that our digital content reflects our values of accessibility. I am confident you will join me in supporting this important endeavor.
Additionally, nominations are now open for the Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award. Established in 2012, the Presidential Awards recognize professional staff excellence in academics, athletics, business administration and facility management, extension and outreach, research and student affairs. The Rising Star Award honors staff who have served less than three years and are already making a significant impact. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 23, and more information can be found online.
Finally, congratulations to our — its conference-record ninth championship — and to our volleyball team for securing back-to-back Summit League regular-season titles. , while the volleyball team will host the Summit League postseason tournament Nov. 23-25 after concluding the regular season in the next week.
Thank you for everything you do to make ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ a premier land-grant university. Have a wonderful and restful Veterans Day holiday and a great week ahead.
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn
President
ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes the Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence team and all those who donated for making the 11th annual Pack the Pantry a success.
The center, led by Kevin Sackreiter, has helped coordinate the Pack the Pantry food drive for 11 years. The drive became and continues to be the biggest single food drive benefiting Jack’s Cupboard, the free, on-campus food pantry for ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ students.
Jack’s Cupboard is serving a larger student population than ever before, so donations this year are especially transformative.
Many people are responsible for making this year’s Pack the Pantry successful:
- Sackreiter, director of the Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence, and Marianna Pavlis, graduate assistant for the center, for marketing, promotional and coordination efforts.
- The Jack’s Cupboard Student Team, led by Kay Arntson, for staffing Jack’s Cupboard during drop-off hours, sorting donations for distribution, and posting social media content surrounding Pack the Pantry.
- Chris Comstock and the Nutrition and Health Sciences Club for helping with additional volunteers during drop-off hours.
- And, last but not least, all the colleges, departments and units across campus that came together and donated. Participants included the Office of Records and Registration, the Department of Animal Science, the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics, the College of Nursing, the Department of Natural Resource Management, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Facilities and Services, the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences, Human Resources, the School of Communication and Journalism, the Office of the President, the Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, the Office of Finance and Budget, the Office of General Counsel, the Division of Research and Economic Development, the Office of Technology and Security, and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Together, these units donated a total of 4,218 items to Jack’s Cupboard.
Thank you to the advisers and individuals who operate Jack’s Cupboard, along with its greater community of supporters, for keeping the pantry open and sustainable. The impact of Jack’s Cupboard is only possible because our campus community continues to go Above and Beyond.
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.
Discounted Staff Athletic Tickets
Intercollegiate Athletics would like to offer all ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ faculty and staff discounted tickets for only $5 per ticket in an exclusive sale to the home opener for ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ wrestling on Friday. The Jacks will host the Augustana Vikings at First Bank & Trust Arena at 7 p.m.
The deadline to purchase tickets the event date at 5 p.m.
To access the sale, visit and use the offer code WRFACSTAFF25. This sale is only available online, while supplies last.
Contact the Jackrabbit Ticket Office at 605-688-5422 or by ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ tickets email.
November Human Resources Connections
The November Human Resources Connections will take place at 9 a.m. Nov. 12 due to the Veterans Day holiday.
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Upcoming Events at the South Dakota Art Museum
Nordic Echoes Lecture – The Nordic Echoes Lecture will be held Nov. 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the South Dakota Art Museum. Additional information about the lecture and the panelist can be found on sdstate.edu.
Hygge Day – The South Dakota Art Museum will host Hygge Day, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Additional information about the day and the different events that will take place can be found on sdstate.edu.
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. Additional information and a list of special events can be found on sdstate.edu.
Student Success Advising Model Task Force
With the development of the Student Engagement Center, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ is reviewing the university’s student success advising model to enhance success advising practices and elevate student outcomes.
ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ’s Student Success Advising Model Task Force is currently seeking information on effective practices in student success advising and would like to invite you to participate in input sessions to help shape the student success advising model at ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ.
Sessions will be held to give input on which students would be served best by success advising, how to facilitate connections between students and success advisors, and other ideas related to the structure of success advising. Sessions are co-sponsored by the Student Engagement Center and the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center.
- Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 10-11:30 a.m., University Student Union 265 (Pioneer)
- Monday, Nov. 17, from 10-11:30 am, University Student Union 265 (Pioneer)
Contact Jody Owen or Shelly Bayer with questions.
First-Generation College Celebration Day
The Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center and TRIO programs will host their fourth-annual First-Generation College Celebration Day. The event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 12, and faculty and staff are encouraged to attend anytime from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the informational fair on Main Street in the University Student Union to connect with various campus partners.
The fair is an opportunity to celebrate first-generation achievements, hear a variety of experiences, connect with others and explore campus resources. ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ’s event also aligns with the Council for Opportunity in Education’s annual celebration of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded college access for low-income and first-generation students.
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.
Celebration of Faculty Excellence
The Celebration of Faculty Excellence is a special event during the spring semester where we celebrate achievement and present awards and honors.
University-level awards are coordinated by the Faculty Awards Subcommittee of the Academic Affairs Committee. Faculty and staff are invited to submit nomination(s) for the awards . Further guidelines/criteria can be found by clicking on each award.
All nominations and required documents may be submitted electronically to ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ.Office.AcademicAffairs@sdstate.edu or delivered to the Office of Academic Affairs, Morrill Hall, Room 230.
For award consideration this year, the submission deadline is Dec. 1.
Writing Center Fall Workshop
The SDState Writing Center is offering small group workshops this fall, focusing on common areas of concern for students. Each workshop will be held in the Writing Center located in Room 103 at Hilton M. Briggs Library and will be limited to 10 participants. Workshop topics, dates and times are available online. Email Amber Jensen to check availability and sign up for a workshop.
Upcoming Self-Management Workshops
ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Extension is offering free evidence-based workshops to help adults living with chronic conditions build confidence and skills to better manage their health.
These workshops provide practical strategies for eating well, staying active, reducing stress and working with your health care team. Staff, students and faculty are encouraged to attend.
Workshops offered include:
- Diabetes Self-Management Program
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Cancer: Thriving and Surviving Program
- Worksite Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Building Better Caregivers Program
- Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
or call 1-888-484-3800.
Emergency Management Training
Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in active threat and emergency management training every couple of years. The training is conducted by the University Police Department and emergency management staff. Training will be held on the following days during the upcoming academic year:
- Nov. 19
- Dec. 10
- Jan. 15
- Feb. 20
- March 11
- April 15
- May 14
In addition to the in-person training, the university has created an for faculty and staff to view.
Additional resources are available online.
The Office of Emergency Management prepares the ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ community for emergencies and coordinates response and recovery by providing a campuswide, all-hazards integration from major threat events to local emergencies. The team also manages a complete, Federal Emergency Management Agency-aligned emergency management plan and the emergency operations center and utilizes response protocols from FEMA’s National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System.
The emergency management team provides a strong connection with local and state emergency networks and fosters community resilience and leadership as part of the South Dakota Incident Management Assistance Team, which helps extend emergency readiness beyond campus.
The ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ emergency management team works with the University Police Department, risk management, Facilities and Services, Athletics, Human Resources and many others on campus to foster a robust institutional support and infrastructure.
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.
