Academic Calendar – Fall 2012 - Dakota State University

Student Organizations & Activities
organization. Only recognized student organizations may schedule University facilities to conduct activities; however, unrecognized
student groups may solicit the sponsorship of a recognized student organization.
Non-campus groups wishing to conduct an instructional program or event using any Dakota State University facility must obtain
1) the sponsorship of a college and 2) the written approval of the Academic Vice President. Non-campus groups wishing to conduct a
non-instructional program or event using any Dakota State University facility must 1) obtain the sponsorship of a college, recognized
student organization or the Activities Office and 2) the written approval of the Dean of Student Affairs.
Institutional facilities and grounds embody investments by students and taxpayers to advance the educational, research and service
missions of the institution. They are not open to the public for assembly, speech, or other activities as are the public streets, sidewalks, parks
or seats of government. Therefore, private parties must request permission to use facilities or grounds for private meetings or events.
Private parties may request permission to utilize designated areas on the grounds of the Dakota State campus by contacting Kim
Wermers at kim.wermers@dsu.edu or calling the DSU Student Services Center at 605-256-5146. Such requests may be granted to the
extent that institutional program schedules permit if the requested use is lawful and otherwise consistent with this policy, poses no risk
of harm to persons or property, and will not disrupt the intended use of the facilities or grounds by the institution, its students, staff or
other visitors. South Dakota Board of Regents policy 6:13 and Dakota State University policy 01-76-00 are integral parts of this policy
and are by this reference incorporated herein.
Only those groups who properly reserve designated areas and complete the DSU grounds use form have the authority to utilize DSU
grounds. Reservation requests must be received a minimum of three working days in advance of the scheduled activity. The scheduling
coordinator is authorized to grant exceptions to this component of the policy where circumstances warrant.
The grounds reservation coordinator will work with event representatives to determine the best location for scheduled activities. The
area defined by the Trojan Center on the east, Kennedy Center on the south, Physical Plant on the west and Higbie Hall on the north is
considered the designated reservation area. This space is commonly referred to as the west Trojan Center lawn. The grounds reservation
coordinator is authorized to grant location exceptions where circumstances warrant.
The Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs will be consulted and ultimately asked to make a determination regarding challenging
reservation requests.
Special Events
Trojan Days (Homecoming) - Conducted early in the fall, events begin early in the week and build toward the conclusion the following
Saturday. Although the Athletic Department, Alumni Office, and Music Department each conduct events during this period, the
bulk of the activities are planned and conducted by the Student Activities Board (SAB). Funding principally comes from the General
Activity Fee. Among the activities planned by students are professional entertainers, a coronation, a mid-week dance, movies, and a
pre-game parade.
Family Weekend - The mission of the Family Program is to promote and enhance opportunities for family members of DSU students
to communicate, participate, and establish a sense of community with one another and with the faculty, staff, and administration of
DSU. The Family Program Committee coordinates a weekend in the fall for family members to visit campus and participate in various
educational and social activities. This is a great opportunity for students and their families to reconnect and interact with members of
the DSU community.
Frost Bites Week - Sponsored by the Student Activities Board in cooperation with other student organizations, this series of activities
is conducted in Feb/March and constitutes another important point in the annual schedule of events. The week-long schedule of special
social activity includes such items as entertainment nights, recreational activities and movies.
Sponsorship of Non-University Speakers by Student Organizations
Student organizations and colleges or departments of the institution may invite and hear persons of their own choice. Routine procedures
required by the institution before a guest speaker is invited to appear on campus shall be designed to ensure that there is orderly
scheduling of facilities, adequate preparation for the event, and assurance that the event shall not substantially disrupt the educational
process. (BOR policy, 3:9)
The responsibility for initiating an invitation to an individual to speak on the campus or under University auspices and the fitness of
such an individual to speak under such circumstances is primarily a responsibility of the student organization extending the invitation,
subject to the policies of the University governing outside speakers.
In keeping with the educational objectives of this institution, guest speakers are welcome on the campus for the promotion of an
atmosphere of open exchange and critical evaluation of divergent points of view. No topic or issue is too controversial for intelligent
discussion on the campus, and the sponsoring of guest speakers by student organizations shall be restricted only as provided herein. No
person shall be invited to appear as a guest speaker on the campus or under the auspices of the University when it is determined, on the
basis of available evidence:
that such person’s presentation will cause a substantial disruption to the University and its process, or
that such person will or is likely to advocate treason, sedition, the forcible overthrow of the Government or similar crimes.
If a student organization proposes to invite someone to speak on the campus or under institutional auspices and there exists a doubt
as measured by the University administration by generally accepted standards as to whether the proposed action would be in the best
interests of the University, the student organization concerned shall do all necessary to remove doubt before extending the invitation
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