Jan Newsletter

January 24, 2007



Well, we are into the Spring Semester 07 and it is great to have students back on campus after a long break. When the students returned they found a couple of classrooms that have now been updated in the Kennedy Center. While we have done a great deal of work to improve the appearance of the external campus, we have now turned much of our attention to our internal classrooms, conference rooms and auditoriums. I certainly wish we could do this work more quickly but because of funding issues we will try and pick two or three projects each year for this improvement. Classrooms these days require tables and because of our technology focus we want electrical power and in some cases data ports at each seat.

This is the time of the year when the South Dakota Legislature is in session and all of the regental institutions prepare a brief presentation for the appropriations committee. Here is a web site with DSU data that is sent to the legislators and this data serves as the base for the presentation to the committee

http://www.dsu.edu/appropriationdoc/

During a presentation in February I will be reviewing this data with our faculty/staff and students here on campus.

One of the major activities for our campus this semester is the development of a new strategic plan for the university. Our strategic planning committee has been busy collecting information and views from all our constituents through an electronic survey process. Over 200 individuals have participated in this process. We will shortly move to engage the university community through some focus groups etc. Our goal is to have a draft plan to present to the university early this spring.

Last week I had the chance to attend our Madison day at the legislature. This is an annual event that is sponsored by the Madison Chamber of Commerce. During this trip I had the opportunity to present to Governor Rounds some of our Dakota State accomplishments and issues. That evening a reception for state legislators and officials gave us the chance to focus some additional attention on DSU. This is a wonderful event and clearly emphasizes the importance of the relationship between the community of Madison and the university.

Later in the week Bruce Smith, our university relations director and I traveled to Sioux Falls to meet with staff members from Senator Thune and Representative Herseth’s office. We discussed some of our research activities and the type of help they can offer when we seek federal support for the initiatives and research that DSU is engaged in.

I had the chance last week to participate in the announcement of the hiring of a new head coach for our football program. Tom Shea, previously coached at DSU and is a graduate of this institution. After he left Dakotat State Coach Shea went on to lead some very successful programs and even coached a national championship team at Peru State in Nebraska. We are very excited that he has chosen to return to his alma mater and I know that our student/athletes will have the chance for an even more competitive experience.

Recently we also hosted one of our Discover Days. With over 30 students and their parents on campus it gave us a chance to tell the exciting story that is Dakota State University. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate why DSU is the only higher education institution in the state to win the Governor’s Star award for service and hospitality.

Our Foundation, Alumni and University Relations offices have moved to the new building the foundation purchased a few blocks south of the campus. This is a very nice addition to the university. The prime location and visibility will provide an opportunity for members of the community, our alumni and other supporters to interact with the university.

So I have to admit that I am writing this newsletter while sitting in an appropriations committee meeting in Pierre. Even at this increasing age I can multi-task.

So we have now returned from our “adventure” in Pierre. Our presentation to the Appropriations Committee went well. We will watch what happens in the Legislature over the next few weeks. Nothing very specific to DSU but will support bills to increase some technology funds for the system.

We will have home basketball games this weekend so I know where I will be!

Doug Knowlton