Monday Message, May 26
SDSU Community,
A brief Monday Message welcomes us as we return from the Memorial Day weekend and move into the summer months following another successful academic year. I want to thank all of you for your dedication to South Dakota State University and our students and hope you all had a fun and relaxing weekend with family and friends.
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the South Dakota Board of Regents retreat with my BOR colleagues from across the state. I appreciated the thoughtful discussions surrounding the future of higher education and the important role our public universities continue to play in student success, workforce development and economic growth.
The South Dakota Board of Regents approved tuition rates during the meeting for the 2026-27 academic year across the public university system. The approved 2.4% tuition adjustment for most of the BOR institutions will support continued investments in technology, campus security and maintaining the innovation and academic excellence expected from South Dakota’s public universities. These investments also help ensure we continue to provide high-quality learning experiences that prepare graduates to succeed in communities throughout our state and beyond.
I also want to share a couple of important reminders for the university community. FY 27 NFE and faculty contracts will be issued via DocuSign on Wednesday, May 27. Employees will have 10 days to review and sign their contracts. Any questions regarding contracts should be directed to Human Resources at 605-688-4128.
In addition, New Student Orientation will be held throughout the month of June in the University Student Union. This is an exciting time at SDSU to welcome future ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøs and their families and begin the process of their transition to campus. Please continue to help create a positive and welcoming experience for our newest students as they begin their journey at South Dakota State University.
New Student Orientation also means that planning is underway for Meet State and student move-in activities in August. Move-in weekend is one of the most important first impressions we create for incoming students and families and a milestone in a young person’s life as they begin the transition to a new environment. The energy and enthusiasm shown by our campus community during these events help students feel connected and supported from the moment they arrive at SDSU.
The success of Meet State cannot start without the hundreds of faculty and staff that volunteer and assist. The committee is already seeking volunteers, and I encourage everyone to help with directing traffic, welcoming families to campus and, if able, help to carry students’ belongings to their rooms. .
Finally, congratulations to Head Coach Rob Bishop and the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøs baseball team for earning a spot in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. The team defeated Oral Roberts in the championship game of the Summit League tournament Saturday and will now travel to Lincoln, Neb., to compete in a four-team regional. SDSU will play Nebraska, Friday in a first round game with Arizona State and Ole Miss playing in the other first round game. It is the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøs first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2013.
As always, thank you for everything you do to support SDSU and our students. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and a great start to the summer season.
Barry H. Dunn
President
South Dakota State University
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
This week, we’re recognizing the team whose hard work helps make the campus a more beautiful place.
It’s springtime at SDSU! But our neatly manicured flower beds and lawns aren’t only thanks to Mother Nature and the time of year. It’s thanks to the South Dakota State University Grounds Services team.
The team includes:
- Ryan Hoffman, grounds supervisor
- Tanner Aiken, campus horticulturist
- Courtney Birkholtz
- Nate Green
- Duston Grimmius
- Brian Hanson
- Doug Hays
- Rick Hieb
- Paul Laleman
- Anne Meland
- Bailey Mergen
- Jensine Prohaska
- Ray Shepherd
- Mike Stein
- Curt Teal
As a whole, our Facilities and Services teams maintain approximately 205 acres of turf, 2,500 trees and seven acres of planting beds. There are 16 beds around campus. The largest is the raised garden bed between Alfred Dairy Science Hall and Berg Agricultural Hall, which holds around 2,000 annuals.
This season, around 8,500 annuals and 600 perennials were grown in our campus greenhouse. That includes 44 different types of annuals, such as geraniums, marigolds, petunias and zinnias. Thirty different perennials were grown, including black-eyed Susans, purple coneflowers and lamb’s ears.
Maintaining all of this greenery is a year-round venture. Seeds are ordered in the fall. Planting begins around March each year, with the first annuals going into the ground in mid-May after the danger of frost has passed.
The annuals are watered, deadheaded and weeded throughout the growing season. After they freeze, they’re removed for the winter. The new perennials, shrubs and trees are similarly cared for and cut back in the fall.
Now that graduation is over, our campus is a lot quieter. It’s a great opportunity for those of us living and working here over the summer to explore. I encourage you to show your appreciation for Ground Services’ hard work by taking a walk around campus today.
Make sure to stop and smell the roses — or rather, the zinnias, petunias and coneflowers.
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.
Summertime Food Trucks and Fun
Join the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum for the seventh season of Summertime Food Trucks and Fun events. Each event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the north side of the museum and will feature food trucks, live music and outdoor seating. In the event of inclement weather, music and seating will move indoors.
This summer’s schedule includes:
- June 3 – Shorty’s Hot Box with live music from AJ the Band
- June 17 – The Patty Wagon
- July 1 – Shorty’s Hot Box with live music from AJ the Band
- July 15 – The Patty Wagon with live music from AJ the Band
All are welcome to attend and enjoy food, music and community at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum.
Jack’s Cupboard Summer Volunteer Opportunity
Jack’s Cupboard, SDSU’s free on-campus food pantry for currently enrolled students, is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to help support operations this summer.
The pantry will be open on Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m., with additional opportunities to assist with restocking on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. During the 2025-26 academic year, Jack’s Cupboard served a record number of students and will continue supporting students throughout the summer months.
Volunteers will assist with checkout, restocking, light cleaning and helping create a welcoming environment for students.
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For questions, contact Jacks Cupboard by email.
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.
