August 20, 2021 by SDSU Collegian

August 20, 2021

Tearful goodbyes Hundreds of freshman are getting their ﬁrst taste of college life this year, but leaving home can take an emotional toll on their parents. Learn how to cope with these changes. See story on pages A12-13

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JOBS ARE PLENTIFUL, THAT’S GOOD NEWS FOR STUDENTS

Rabbits are ready

Students returning for fall semester may notice the increase in part-time jobs around Brookings. Find out what sort of jobs are available and why there are so many openings right now.

SDSU’s fall sports teams are getting ready for a season they hope is free from last year’s pandemic related challenges. Find out what the coaches are thinking.

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See story on pages A14-15

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August 20, 2021

NEWS

SDSU full steam ahead despite variant spread JACOB BOYKO News Editor (He/Him) An uptick in new cases of a highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant has left many students and faculty wondering what to expect as they return to campus. The answer is this: South Dakota State University will return to 100% capacity for fall classes, despite the prevalence of the Delta variant, according to Vice President of Academic Affairs Dennis Hedge. “We have planned for a return to standard classroom capacities since last spring, and our plans have not changed,” Hedge said. “Students uncomfortable with face-to-face courses should contact their academic adviser to discuss possible online course options.” Dining facilities and residence halls will operate as they did pre-pandemic, said Douglas Wermedal, associate vice president for student affairs. “At this time, we plan to begin the fall

semester with very few of the practices that were common last year,” Wermedal said. Seating restrictions and social distancing measures will not be in place, but to-go options and mobile ordering will continue to be an option for people who prefer social distancing. At this time, there are no restrictions on outside guests in residence halls. SDSU will not require proof of vaccination for students to return to campus, and there are no plans to reimpose the indoor mask mandate that expired at the end of the last school year. The Delta variant, which was first discovered in India, is a mutated strain of COVID-19 that is rapidly spreading in the United States. Bunny Christie, the infection control practitioner at Brookings Regional Health, warned that the Delta variant could have a devastating impact, especially among those who have chosen to not get vaccinated for COVID-19. “The Delta mutation is extremely virulent and more easily spread,” Christie said. “It’s not necessarily more

dangerous, but it’s more dangerous for [unvaccinated people] because they have no immunity.” The CDC lists the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines as 94%, 95%, and 66% effective, respectively. While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is less effective, it may be more resilient against breakthrough cases that require hospitalizations, said Christie. All three vaccines have shown high efficacy in fighting the Delta variant, as well. Christie encourages students to get vaccinated as soon as they can. “The unvaccinated will continue to bring the virus in, where it will continue to mutate and keep the pandemic rolling,” Christie said. “People need to get the vaccine regardless of what they feel politically. We either get the vaccines, or we continue to watch people die. We need herd immunity for the people who can’t get vaccinated.” Christie advised those who choose not to get the vaccine to continue social distancing, wear a mask when needed

and avoid large crowds. If students notice any unusual symptoms, they should take some time away from class and get checked out at the campus clinic. Students can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine at the student health clinic or any pharmacy in Brookings. The next walk-up vaccination clinic is scheduled for Sept. 9. SDSU and the Board of Regents will continue to monitor the public health situation. If the COVID-19 situation on campus takes a turn for the worse, SDSU students and faculty could see policy reversals. Despite the rising concerns from public health specialists, some students like Julia Gill, a junior sports and recreation management major, aren’t concerned about the return to pre-pandemic conditions. “I’m actually pretty excited to go back to normal, to have everybody in classes again,” she said.

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August 20, 2021

New location, new major, new director for psychology, sociology department JORDAN RUSCHE Editor-in-Chief (She/Her) The School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies will begin the year with a new location, a new director and new possibilities for existing and incoming students. After spending over four years in the basement of Hansen Hall –something that was supposed to be a “temporary” solution—faculty and staff will be moving to the Ag Engineering building next to the Hilton M. Briggs Library in early September. This comes with the relocation of the Ag Engineering building’s previous residents into other buildings, as well, like the new Raven Precision Ag Center. The move has been good news for the school’s faculty and staff. “I think every single faculty member and staff are excited about the move,” Martin said. “Everybody is excited to have windows.” Faculty and staff were given the news of their relocation earlier this spring and have been meeting throughout the summer to prepare for the move. “The committee consisted of two psychology faculty, two sociology faculty, the dean, … the director joined in once he got here, and of course the architect, facilities and interior design people were part of this committee,” Psychology professor Rebecca Martin said. The office spaces will be dedicated to the psychology and sociology departments, but some parts of the building, like certain lab spaces, will still be used by ag biosystems and engineering classes. Updates will be made to the existing building later on, like fixing its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and potentially changing the building’s name to reflect its new inhabitants. One of the other major changes made this summer was the appointment of a director for the new school. Paul Markel spent 25 years as a psychology professor at Minot State University in North Dakota and

began working at South Dakota State University this June. “It’s been very exciting, very positive, and I’ve been very pleased with the process of transitioning,” Markel said. “I’ve been meeting with colleagues and staff, and I’m impressed with the welcome.” Along with preparing for the school’s relocation, Markel also has had to adjust to a new university, though Martin says he has been taking the changes in stride. “He’s been on the job now for just over a month. I had met with him a lot in that month to try to help get him up to speed with SDSU,” Martin said. “I’ve been very happy with what I’ve seen with him so far, and so I am optimistic that he will be able to take our school in a good direction as we start off.” Markel is also happy with how much the existing faculty and staff have done to prepare for the new school. “I really commend the faculty and chairs for all the work they’ve done, and the dean (Lynn Sargeant of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences),” he said. With the official combination of the psychology and sociology departments into one school this summer, there will be possibilities for more interdisciplinary research, according to Markel. “What I’m truly excited and optimistic for is the potential for collaboration … in a common physical space,” he said. Along with the new school, a new major in criminology also will be launched this fall, and graduate students can now pursue a specialization in community development through the sociology department. Markel hopes these changes will inspire renewed interest in the psychology and sociology departments. “We encourage people to come by and contact us,” Markel said. “We’re happy to see if [our school] is a good fit.” To learn more about the school and the programs it offers, visit sdstate.edu/ school-psychology-sociology-and-rural-studies.

Collegian photo by BRINA STURM (She/They)

Scheduling campus healthcare services “a very easy process” BRINA STURM Assistant Lifestyles Editor (She/They) College can be a stressful time, especially for new students, and the last thing students want to worry about is their health care options. Luckily, there are plenty of services available to students on campus. South Dakota State University’s health clinic offers several services, including general medical care like injury treatment, physical exams, immunizations and lab services like strep, influenza, COVID-19, thyroid testing and more. Additionally, the clinic offers sexual health care like birth control, STI screenings, pregnancy testing and other services students may need. Besides physical health services, the university also provides confidential mental health services at no charge to registered students. Sean Gary-Mack, a second-year student, has experienced the benefits of the on-campus health and counseling clinic. “I found out about the counseling service and health center on the school website,” Gary-Mack said. “It was a very easy process to get started.” Gary-Mack says he has used the clinic to talk about mental health issues in his life and to schedule general health appointments like immunizations,

something that can be difficult for him elsewhere in town. “As an out-of-state student from the South, where I can’t easily get home to see my doctor or therapist, having the counseling and health services on campus is a big plus and a major asset to my education here at SDSU,” he said. Emma Hoff, another second-year student, explained her experience with the counseling center. “I called before I started school to set up an appointment … I have been in counseling for quite some time, so it was pretty normal for me,” Hoff said. To make an appointment with the student health clinic, call 605-688-4157. The counseling center can be reached at 605-688-6146, or visit the center’s reception area in the Miller Wellness Center.

Numbers to call Student Health Clinic 605-688-4157

Counseling Center 605-688-6146

Jackrabbit Pharmacy 605-688-5410

NEWS

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STUDENTS SEEKING JOBS HAVE ‘A LOT OF OPTIONS’ City has 1,050 openings; competition for workers could boost pay

GRACIE TERRALL Managing Editor (She/Her) South Dakota State University students returning to Brookings this fall may find it easier to get part-time jobs –and they might even get paid more, too. As of August 9, there were over 1,050 job openings in the city, according to the Brookings Economic Development Corporation. The majority were in the service industry.

What are the experts saying?

“Right now, it’s kind of an employee market,” said Andrew Sloss, director of the Brookings Economic Development Corp. “If you’re interested in moving to another job or another field, you have the flexibility to do so.” “Students will have the upper hand,” SDSU economics professor Joseph Santos said. “Everybody’s waiting for these students to come back and fill these jobs.”

“We’re going to move pretty quickly (on hiring) qualified students,” said Leah Brink, Daktronics student and internship program coordinator. Where are the jobs now? Most of the open positions are in hospitality and restaurant services. A quick drive around Brookings right now shows that Cottonwood Coffee, Perkins, 3M, Jimmy Johns, Nick’s Hamburgers, Casey’s, Hy-Vee and many other locations are hiring. Daktronics, a locally owned international company that designs and manufactures video displays, is also hiring. In the student and internship program at Daktronics, there are three sections of the company. The business side consists of accounting, communications, marketing, etc., and the creative side features less prominent positions like graphic design and copywriting. The final and largest section is the technical and engineering side.

There are about 500 (including full time, non-student) employees on the technical side, Brink said. “Going into the fall, our needs are going to be pretty distributed between this engineering category and this business category,” she said. These three areas are selective based on student and intern majors, credits taken and GPA’s. Currently, Daktronics has about 50 student employees. Usually they employ twice that and are working to build those numbers back up, Brink said. “At SDSU, we have a lot of jobs we’re going to be coming to the job fair with and really hoping that there’s interest from the SDSU student body,” Brink said. This fall, Daktronics is re-implementing a production worker line it had 10 years ago. It’s open to anyone in the Brookings community. The positions are Monday-Thursday for five hours in the evening.

“It’s not necessarily a career track position. We could take any major, it doesn’t matter your GPA,” Brink said. “We are really needing folks.” Gashaw Melese, a senior mechanical engineering major from Ethiopia, started working in Daktronics’ manufacturing department this past April. “I was participating in the campus career fair and I got an (application) form there,” he said. “I was really happy to get the job.”

Why are there so many jobs?

There’s not one distinct answer on why jobs are so plentiful right now, but experts have cited a few theories. Extended unemployment benefits could be one cause. The pandemic had a big effect on businesses and many had to cut staff. This resulted in many people becoming unemployed for months and relying on the pandemic unemployment benefits from the government. According to a May 12 press release from the South Dakota Department of

August 20, 2021

NEWS

“Right now, if you want to work as an employee, this is your time. This is your time to choose where you want to work and how you want to work, because people are looking for workers. For college students, you’re going to have a lot of options here in Brookings.” Andrew Sloss Brookings Economic Development Corporation

Labor, the Federal Pandemic said. “The students just aren’t Unemployment Compensation here.” program stopped its weekly payments of $300 to pandemWhat are the solutions? ic-related unemployed South Students returning to Dakotans June 26, 2021. campus should help fill many of The federal unemployment those job openings. benefits are scheduled to end “When everybody, hopeSept. 6. fully, comes back to campus, Santos, the SDSU economics Joseph Santos that means all those students are professor, said people who work creating relationships in the comin the service industry are more munity and learning about job likely to take advantage of these benefits opportunities, then maybe next summer because they exceed the monthly wages they stick around because they want to they would receive at a typical service job. keep their job,” Santos said. “There’s evidence that if unemIncreased wages could attract potential ployment insurance has had effects employees, said David Chicoine, former on the labor market, it’s had effects on SDSU president and economics professor. the lowest rungs … of the wage scale … “All [employers] have to do, I would where wages tend to be low,” Santos said. think, is raise the wage, and you could “Unemployment insurance could be a sort attract more part-time workers,” he said. of competing source of funding.” Chicoine also said that employers taiOn aververage, waiters, cooks, cashiers loring their work shifts around students’ and sales workers in South Dakota make schedules may help. If jobs are inconvebetween $10-12 hourly, according to the nient to class times, he said, that may deter Occupational Employment and Wage someone from taking the job, and it likely Rates reports for South Dakota in 2020. won’t matter what the salary is. With the recent end to the state panSloss said an emphasis on mental demic benefits, Santos suspects job appli- health resources in the workplace is becoming increasingly more desircations to increase. “Rather than waiting for the federal able among younger generations in the date in September, several states have said workforce. While typically recruitment (they’re) going to shut this down now to try strategies like offering sign-on bonuses, increased wages and other benefits are still to incentivize (job) search,” Santos said. Santos also said the high level of job beneficial, mental health resources are in openings in Brookings could be caused by higher demand, he said. “Right now, if you want to work as an the number of students who chose to do remote learning and not return to campus employee, this is your time,” Sloss said. “This is your time to choose where you last year. “If a student, for whatever reason, want to work and how you want to work, chose to stay wherever home was, and because people are looking for workers. home wasn’t Brookings, then that’s a For college students, you’re going to have person who never ends up applying for a lot of options here in Brookings.” that assistantship in Brookings,” Santos

SDSU Fall Career Fairs Student part-time job fair Wed. Sept. 1 from 3-5 p.m. Ag, Food, Environmental Science career fair Wed. Oct. 6 from 1-5 p.m. Nursing career fair Fri. Sept. 10 from 9- 12 p.m. Engineering career fair Tues. Oct. 19 from 12-4 p.m. Management, Economics and Communication career fair Wed. Nov. 3 from 1-4 p.m.

HANDSHAKE QR CODE

Students: Log into Handshake to search for part-time and Workstudy jobs, both on- and off-campus, as well as internships. Questions? Contact the SDSU Career Development Office at Careers@sdstate.edu.

Collegian photos by Gracie Terrall (She/Her)

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Collegian photo by GRACIE TERRALL (She/Her)

The University Police Department employs 14 state certified law enforcement officers and is charged with protecting the largest university in the state.

Here’s how to stay out of trouble ANDREA HUETE Copy Editor (She/Her)

With the freedom of college comes a lot of responsibilty, and Patrol Sergeant Jonathon Anderson has some advice for new students on dealing with UPD. DUI – Driving while in the influence “The biggest things people get arrested for are obviously alcohol and drug-related. The biggest concern is driving under the influence of either alcohol or some other neurotic drug. It happens more often than we like to see. There are plenty of ride opportunities for people like the BATA bus. I know it gets cold in South Dakota, but you can always walk. It is always smarter than getting in a car and driving.” Alcohol consumption under 21

“We know that it is going to Court and is legal, if you are happen; our biggest thing is under 21 it’s still not legal. It’s like keeping people safe while they drinking underage. Whereas, if do that. We see a lot of people they are over 21 and they have doing really hard binge drinking people under 21 in the car, we are ,so they have really high alcohol still going to be searching that car percentages in their blood. We because of those people and the would like to see less of that. If marijuana. Just because it’s sort Jonathon you do encounter law enforcement, of legal does not mean that stuAnderson be honest with us, we already know dents at SDSU should start going you’ve been drinking by the odor out smoking a lot of marijuana. It of alcohol coming from them. They don’t is not allowed in the residence halls, it need to lie to us or anything like that. has a strong odor and you can still get They are more likely to get a warning if arrested for DUI in the vehicle, smoking they are honest with law enforcement.” or ingesting marijuana.” Drugs Fake IDs “Currently, medical marijuana is legal“Over the last year, we have arrested ized as of July 1, 2021. Now, if you are over 100 students for fake IDs. They are under the age of 21, there is going to be fairly easy to get nowadays. We are aware an issue with that. Even if recreational of them; they do not come back as valid marijuana is allowed by the Supreme through our system, so that way we can

make an arrest for them. It is not just a citation for them and you are free to go, it’s one of those things where we take people to jail if they are caught with an unregistered driver’s license.” Open container in public “If you are drinking, you cannot drink in public, unless you are on someone else’s actual property. If you are on the sidewalk, street or walking through campus and they have an open container, they are going to be stopped by law enforcement. The same thing will be with marijuana in public, even if they are over 21; it’s still not going to be allowed. You’ve got to consume it in private.” Vandalism/ Theft “It’s not your personal property, leave it alone. The same thing goes for bicycle theft or theft from vehicles. I would really like it if the students who are coming

August 20, 2021 in would know that the small towns that they might have been from, Brookings is different. You can’t just leave your doors unlocked all the time. So lock your car doors, keep your valuables out of sight and lock your residential halls rooms.” Fleeing from Law Enforcement “Don’t just run from the cops for no reason. A lot of the time, someone would run and shout, ‘it’s the cops,’ and everyone who runs will have more violations against them. We are more likely to cite them than if they’d just stood there and cooperated. If they do run from us, we are going to chase them and probably tackle them. We have electronic key cards that have every single card on campus, so it’s not like you are

NEWS going to be able to run and hide somewhere.” Recommendations Officers Be polite to them; treat them like how you want to be treated. It’s to your best advantage to be honest with them, as well. “My boss has a policy that if you are under 21 in the car and you are the passenger and you have been drinking, as long as you have a sober driver that has no alcohol in their system and nobody lies to us while we stop them in their traffic stop, they get to go free, no underage consumption for them because they were responsible enough to get a sober driver and when they interacted with us, they didn’t try to lie to us about drinking or their age or anything like that.”

Walking Walk from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Don’t hoot and shout. Don’t bring attention to yourself or to your group. Cars If you don’t use your car frequently, you should still go out and check it out about once a week, Anderson said. Make sure there is no damage. Start it and run it for a little bit, especially during winter, because it’s likely that your car may not start. Safety Escorts You can call for a taxi, sober friend or even call the police department for an escort. Their number is 605-688-5117, though it’s just for on campus. You can look at the police department’s website for more information.

LIFESTYLES

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Collegian photo by GRACIE TERRALL (She/Her)

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, one of the newest restaurants in Brookings, is set to open later this fall at the old location of Kool Beans.

RESTAURANT CHOICES GO TROPICAL

BRINA STURM Assistant Lifestyles Editor (She/They)

The past year has been a rollercoaster for local and chain restaurants as well as their customers. Whether you’re an incoming student or an upperclassman who has yet to thoroughly explore Brookings, this is your off-campus cuisine guide. New to town is Tropical Smoothie Cafe — a national chain restaurant that has just made its way to East River South Dakota with a new location on the corner of Sixth and Jackrabbit Avenue – nice and close to campus. The location will feature both “sit down and drive thru-options, as well as a pickup station for online orders,” Ann Park, owner of the Brookings location, said. The menu consists of a wide variety of smoothies, flatbreads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls and breakfast items, as well as smoothie supplements like pro-

tein and energy or add-ins such as chia or flax seeds. Park’s favorite items on the menu include the Sunrise Sunset Smoothie, which is a blend of strawberries, pineapple, mango and orange juice, and the Caprese Sandwich, which has chicken, mozzarella and a balsamic glaze. While we wait in anticipation for the new cafe, there are several opportunities to get involved with the opening. To apply for positions at the restaurant, visit Tropicalsmoothiecafe.com. In the upcoming weeks, KCountry 102.3FM and The Hawk 107.1FM will be doing radio giveaways with Tropical Smoothie Cafe prizes. All of this and more will be available during the grand opening, which is anticipated to happen in mid-September. Be sure to keep your eye on the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Brookings Facebook page for updates on the opening date. But hey, Tropical Smoothie Cafe isn’t the only place in town. Here are some

August 20, 2021

LIFESTYLES

Collegian photo by GRACIE TERRALL (She/Her)

Senior mechancial engineering major Gashaw Melese relaxes in Cottonwood Coffee on Main Street, one of two locations for the coffee shop. other places to get a great meal:

Cottonwood Bistro and Coffee

Besides Tropical Smoothie, Brookings is home to many other modern munchies. Cottonwood Coffee on Main opened in 2006 in downtown Brookings during the summer arts festival. Later, in winter of 2008, Cottonwood Bistro opened off of Sixth Street. The bistro and coffee shop both offer “quite a few vegetarian and vegan options,” says Jacob Limmer, owner and founder of Cottonwood. “Salads, bagels, paninis. . . baked oatmeal and quiche” are just a few of the vegetarian options at Cottonwood. “Some of our salads and our black bean burger (without the bun) are vegan,” Limmer said. “My personal favorite item from the menu is the bacon breakfast sandwich on a Black Hills bagel. Sometimes I get a little crazy and add an extra over easy egg and extra bacon. . . It will make you wonder why you would ever want a microwaved premade breakfast sandwich.”

Nick’s Hamburger Shop

If classics are more your taste, Nick’s Hamburger Shop, located on Main, has been a staple of Brookings students since Hobo Day of 1929 (when the burgers were only 5 cents apiece). Since its opening,

the people and students of Brookings have lined the street waiting to get a bit of Nick’s burgers on Hobo Day. Nick’s sells not only hamburgers and shakes, but the classic diner experience. With an open grill setting in the middle of the restaurant, you are right in the center of the burger action.

George’s Pizza

George’s Pizza on Main offers a variety of dishes, from their namesake’s pizza to classic Greek bites, everyone is sure to find something to eat. Along with variety, George’s offers hospitality. Whether you are stopping in at 11 am or 8 pm, the staff caters to your pizza needs with friendly banter and energy.

Flavor Indian & Asian Fare

Whether you enjoy spice, meats, veggies or noodles, Flavor Indian & Asian Fare on Main is the place to be. With Indian vegetarian and vegan options, choice of spiciness level and many Thai and Indian curry selections, Flavor Indian & Asian Fare has dishes that are bursting with flavor for anyone. Not only is this location a sit-down restaurant, but doubles as a market with Indian, Korean, Chinese, Middle Eastern and African groceries. Even if you’re away from home for the semester, Flavor Indian & Asian Fare will take care of your cravings.

Collegian photo by FRANKIE HERRERA (He/Him)

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LIFESTYLES

2. McCrory Gardens

THINGS to do in

BROOKINGS

For most new students, Brookings is a new and exciting place just waiting to be explored. With its variety of restaurants, outdoor activities and attractions offering something for everyone, students have plenty of opportunities to get to know their new home in the funnest way possible.

August 20, 2021

1. Miller Wellness Center

The Miller Wellness Center is open to all SDSU students throughout the school year, and students enrolled in summer and fall classes have access to facilities during the summer, as well. Membership is included in the price of tuition. Some amenities of the wellness center include a 35-foot climbing wall, an indoor swimming pool, fitness studios, an indoor track and court spaces. There are also outdoor gear rentals like kayaks available during the summer.

McCrory Gardens is one of Brookings’s better-known attractions, located on the eastern edge of campus. The botanical garden and arboretum are maintained by SDSU and cover almost 70 acres. Visitors can walk along the paths through the different flower gardens, which are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer. Students also get free admission to the gardens with their student ID.

3. Woody’s Axe Throwing

Woody’s Axe Throwing on the east end of town is a great option for people looking for a more physically active pastime in Brookings. They offer two different time limits: one hour at $21.95 per person, or two hours for $34.95 per person. There are also specials like ladies and league play on Thursday nights and family day on Sundays.

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August 20 , 2021

4. Dakota Nature Park

For the more outdoorsy types, the Dakota Nature Park and Larson Nature Center is open year-round for hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, as well as snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing in the winter. The 135-acre park features walking trails and picnic areas, and has gear rentals like mountain bikes, paddle boards and fishing poles, as well. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

LIFESTYLES

5. Downtown Brookings

The downtown area of Brookings is bustling with restaurants, boutiques and specialty antique shops. It is also home to Brookings’s bar and pub scene with locations like Cubby’s Bar and Grill, The Nine and Wooden Legs Brewery. With community events happening throughout the year, downtown Brookings is a must stop for every college student.

7. Museums

8. Brookings Cinema 8

Brookings Cinema 8 is the premier place for students to watch the latest movies. Cinema 8 features eight theatres, a fully-stocked concession stand and nightly showings starting at 7 p.m., as well as $5 tickets on Tuesdays- perfect for students on a budget.

SDSU has two museums on campus free for students to visit. The South Dakota Art Museum hosts a wide collection of artworks in various mediums, from linens, to oil paintings, to sculptures. It also features special exhibitions like the ALL DUNN exhibit, a collection of all 142 of local artist Harvey Dunn’s paintings, and The Radiant Sun exhibit, which features some of writer and artist Paul Goble’s artworks. The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum features examples of historical agriculture in the state, like a claim shanty from the early 1880s, an exhibit on the history of electricity in rural South Dakota, antique farm equipment and more.

Photo credits: Gracie Terrall, Frankie Herrera, University Marketing and Communication

6. The Lanes

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The newly redone bowling alley is sure to offer something for every student. The Lanes features a café and bar, free WiFi, an arcade and 10 Spark Augmented Reality lanes offering a high-tech, virtual twist to traditional bowling. Pricing is $4.50 per game with $3.00 shoe rentals. The Lanes also offers league play and memberships for any students especially dedicated to bowling.

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SUBMITTED

For Wanda Freudenthal of Aberdeen (left), dropping her daughter Faith Crissman off at SDSUfor the first time three years ago was a difficult emotional challenge.

‘I CRIED ALL THE WAY HOME’ For parents, dropping a child off at college can be an emotional shock

SYMMONE GAUER Lifestyles Editor (She/Her) Will they be okay? What if they can’t make friends? What will I do with my time now that they aren’t at home? These are questions parents often ask themselves after moving their child into their first college dorm room. As a parent, you spend 18 years preparing your child for the world, but sometimes it’s hard to let go, and the transition can be overwhelming for both you and your new college student. Whether you are a first-time college parent or an empty nester feeling the plight, you should know that you are not alone. “I cried all the way home,” South

Dakota State University parent Wanda Freudenthal said about dropping her daughter off for the first time three years ago. “You have to know that it’s okay to be upset, but you know that they’re going to a nice school—they’re probably going to be okay.” Parents share many of the same thoughts and concerns as the students who are just starting college, so it’s helpful to know the resources SDSU has to offer to combat those issues, as well as ways to help parents cope themselves. For Doug Wermedal, associate vice president for Student Affairs, working at SDSU gave him the comfort of knowing his two children, one a graduate of SDSU and the other a current student, would have a variety of resources available. “While never guaranteed, I was still

assured a good outcome,” he said.

Helping Students Help Themselves

The first resource available to students is the residence halls. Residence halls are like training wheels for an independent future, says Wermedal, and it helps with student development. “I had so much freedom that I didn’t know what to do with it, and in a way that stressed me out at first,” Faith Crissman, Freudenthal’s daughter, said. Crissman, a second-year pharmacy student from Aberdeen, talked about how basic things like not having her mom there to wake her up in the morning took a lot of change on her end, but eventually she adjusted while living on campus. Another nice thing about living in

the residence halls is the Community Assistants (CA’s) are typically the first line of defense and point-of-contact for students. CA’s are a really good resource with low-stress interaction, as are the hall directors. Whether a student has a roommate issue, a problem with the room itself, trouble meeting people or just a general question about where to go next, the residence halls provide solutions to a wide range of concerns. Rebecca Peterson, the director of Housing and Residential Life, advises parents to “empower their students to make that outreach or that connection” when it comes to finding friends. While it may be easy to get discouraged, Peterson recommends that students do one small thing a day to con-

August 20, 2021 nect with others, whether that be leaving their door open, asking their roommate to go to dinner or attending a floor program. Crissman agrees these are great ways to meet people, especially at the beginning of the school year. “You have time to figure out your best friends,” she said. Students have other opportunities to meet people by eating at Larson Commons, going to the Student Engagement Expo, joining organizations and starting conversations with classmates. They can even head to the Office of Student Affairs in the Student Union, the Multicultural Center, the Office of International Affairs or the American Indian Student Center. Homesickness, adjustment and transition issues, depressive symptoms, social anxiety and general anxiety are all major concerns from students, but the Student Health Clinic & Counseling Services is a good resource that provides help for both mental and physical needs as well as a 24/7 crisis counselor, group counseling opportunities and outreach workshops and presentations on campus. Andrea Boglić, one of the counselors on campus, said he wants parents “to know that [their students] are in good hands, taken care of, and supported when needed.” Dean of Students Toby Uecker says navigating tough times is a common occurrence among students. “It can feel like it’s an isolated situation for your student, but it’s not,” he said. “Your student is not alone.” Uecker has learned one of the best behaviors parents can emulate is having open conversations about struggle and mental health

Volume 137 • Issue 1

NEWS

“You have to know that it’s OK to be upset, but you know that they’re going to a nice school—they’re probably going to be okay.” Wanda Freudenthal Mother of SDSU student for their children. “Don’t judge,” he said. “Be a partner with them and learn to recognize the difference between when a student needs to vent and when they need a referral or advice. Ask about the purpose of the conversation early on so you have better communication.” Experts agree that knowing when your student needs help fixing something or just needs a listening ear and support is critical in maintaining healthy relationships all around, and as much as a parent wants to do everything in their power to fix a situation, it’s often better for the student’s mental wellbeing to let them handle it. Crissman said her mom is more like her cheerleader and gives her confidence over the phone when she’s having issues. “She always hypes me up in a way,” she said, which leads her to taking her own action against the situation, if need be. “As a parent, you want to be there to sit with her, but you can’t,” said Freudenthal. “You just have to be a good listener and try to give her coping mechanisms.” College academics are different than those of high school, and it’s common for students to The Collegian is the independent student newspaper at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. The Collegian is published by and for South Dakota State University students under the First Amendment guarantees of free speech and a free press. Opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty, staff or administration. The Collegian is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year of SDSU.

have a rough class or semester. For Crissman, throwing herself into her studies was how she tried to cope with the transition, but that sometimes got overwhelming. “I was holding myself to way too high of expectations, and I had to be forgiving of myself. You can’t expect yourself to be perfect all the time,” she said. “Be upset about it for like a day and then say, ‘I have to work harder now.’” That’s an example of a student needing support rather than a solution. Wermedal and his wife have a philosophy on when to intervene: it’s the difference between suffering vs struggling. With minor struggles, leaving the kids alone will teach them problem solving skills, independence and resilience, but they always intervene when a child is suffering. He said parents should also stay involved, but not immersed. “Involved is asking about how a test went. Immersed is calling on Tuesday to make sure they’re studying for their test on Wednesday.” Professors, academic advisors, the Writing Center and the Wintrode Student Success Center are all other good academic resources for students. To the students adjusting to college life, counselor Boglić says, “Allow yourself to feel uncomfortable—that is completely fine… Do not feel scared because you do not know something—just ask. Focus on your mental and physical health [and on finding] your best way of living your life.” There are many opportunities and resources at SDSU—students just have to take them, and parents just have to encourage them. But again, being overprotective does not allow the student to grow and become independent. “A parent has to be confident Jordan Rusche Editor-in-Chief

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that their child can be successful even without them,” Boglić said.

Letting Them Go

Peterson says trust is the key word here. After instilling values and good decision-making skills in your child, it all comes down to, “trusting the work you did as a parent and trusting your child” while recognizing that they are now the one in charge of their own life. “When they come home,” Crissman said, “show them all the love that you can, but at the same time, don’t treat them like they’re still in high school—because they’re not.” Sometimes that is easier said than done. One way parents can ease the transition, though, is by finding something else to devote their time to and keep them busy. Freudenthal, for example, took up volunteering with the Women of Today organization for the high school Miss Aberdeen contest. Taking up old hobbies and reconnecting with a partner are other good and fulfilling ways parents can cope with their child starting college. Then, all that’s left is to simply enjoy it when they come home for holidays or weekends. Crissman says her relationship with her mother grows stronger each time she visits home because the focus is on their time together. “While your kids are growing up, we always focus on keeping the house clean, impressing other people, etc.,” Freudenthal said, but her advice is now, at the end of the day, what’s most important is spending that time with your child and having fun. “Let the laundry go today—it can wait.”

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Advice for parents

Identify new roles you want to ﬁll. Volunteer or get involved in your community. Take up personal hobbies again. Try some that you’ve always wanted to do. Reconnect with your partner. Do activities together that don’t revolve around your child. Have regularly scheduled times to chat—but don’t overdo it. “Involved but not immersed” – Doug Wermedal Remember your child is a college student and trust them with that fact. Communicate and learn when to intervene and when to listen. “Suﬀering vs struggling” – Doug Wermedal Have open conversations about mental health and set an example. Avoid encouraging your child to dwell on the negative but give them time and space to vent. Know your child is in good hands and encourage them to seek out the resources and connections available. Be their support and enjoy the time you have with them.

Letters to the Editor Send letters to letters@ sdsucollegian.com or to USU 069 Box 2815, Brookings, S.D. 57006. You can also post comments online at www.sdsucollegian.com. Please keep to less than 250 words.

Main line: 605.688.6164 Newsroom: 605.688.6166 Editor-in-Chief: 605.688.6178

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SPORTS

sdsucollegian.com

FALL SPORTS Q&A

Soccer coach Brock Thompson

Football coach John Stiegelmeier

Volleyball coach Dan Georgalas

DRIVE FOR SUCCESS

EVAN PATZWALD Assistant Sports Editor (He/Him) Last spring’s athletics season presented many challenges, and long stretches of postponements had many different sports looking like their season would get canceled. But everyone made it to the end, and there were some historic moments along the way. The football team advanced all the way to the Football Championship Subdivision title game and was one play short of winning the title. The volleyball team showed many improvements under first-year head coach Dan Georgalas, and the soccer team didn’t lose a game all season. Looking forward to this fall, coaches, athletes and fans are hoping sports will look closer to the way they did before the pandemic started. Here’s a look at how the athletic coaches feel heading into the fall season.

Football’s John Stiegelmeier

Question: What is the confidence level heading into the fall after such a quick turnaround from last year’s spring season? Answer: Our confidence level is high for many reasons. We have all but two starters back. We had a great run to the FCS Championship, and we now know what it takes to get to Frisco. Q: Mark Gronowski went down with a major injury against San Houston. What is the status of the quarterback position looking like, especially with grad transfer Chris Oladokun coming into the fold? A: Our top two QB’s, (Gronowski) and J’Bore Gibbs, are out for the year. We have five other quarterbacks that will compete for the position. Chris has been a great addition, but the position is wide open as of now. Q: What protocols are different/the same in terms of COVID-19 from the

spring season? A: We are still waiting for the NCAA to set what protocols we will need to follow. Internally, our players that are vaccinated will have no restrictions. Those that are not vaccinated will have similar restrictions from the spring season, things like meals to go, restricted use of certain areas of the facilities, etc. Q: You guys open the season Sept. 3 against Colorado State in another nationally televised game on FS1. How important is it that not only the team, but the whole university is getting recognized on a more national scale? A: I think it is always positive if any sporting event or anything about SDSU gets national exposure. I expect there has been a very positive impact from the exposure we received playing in the National Championship and from ESPN’s College Gameday that was here in 2019.

Volleyball’s Dan Georgalas

Q: In your first season as head coach, the team improved in many areas and had the most wins in conference play since 2012 (6). How do you hope to build on that success? A: First, I think the proximity of our two seasons will help us carry that momentum forward. It almost feels like we have a running head start for our next competitions this fall. The rescheduled spring season was certainly unique, but now we don’t have to wait a full year to compete again. After finishing at the end of March, we don’t have to wait too long until we get started again this August. I know both our returners and new incoming players are looking forward to a more “normal” academic and athletic experience this fall. Q: What was it like to come into a program that hadn’t had much success in recent years while also navigating your first experience as a head coach?

SPORTS

August 20, 2021 A: Well, our first season here was certainly a challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic was not how I thought my first year as a head coach would unfold, but we stayed positive and we learned how to adapt. Truthfully, we measured success differently. Staying healthy and celebrating some small milestones helped us focus on what we could control, and that is a big key to success in our program. Q: Was it hard having such a quick offseason, as you just finished last season in the spring and now look forward to this fall? A: To me, it’s more of an advantage. I think our team still got plenty of time for rest and recovery, so the last season is still fresh in our minds, and we know what we want to improve upon. We had a goal to finish our season on a five-match winning streak and came up one match short. I hope our team has a chip on their shoulder and remembers everything they accom-

plished and is still hungry for more. Q: Crystal Burk is entering her senior season after recording an impressive junior campaign earning an All-Summit League Honorable Mention. What do you want to see from her not only on the floor, but off the floor as a leader, as well? A: Crystal had an amazing spring season for us. It’s a shame we didn’t play a full schedule to see where her numbers could have been. She provides us great six-rotation consistency and is a physical blocker at the net. Our staff is putting a bigger emphasis this fall on mental performance as well as trying to develop our team’s leadership qualities. Crystal already provides so much for us in that department, but I know our team conversations will only help more leaders like Crystal emerge from the roster.

Soccer’s Brock Thompson Q: After a very impressive spring season finishing without a loss (12-05), how do you hope to build on the momentum with much of the roster returning in the fall? BT: Each season is its own journey, and we’re excited for this season. Yes, the experience we return will help, but ultimately our success will be a result of how we grow each week this season and connect with each other on and off the field. Q: What protocols are different/the same in terms of COVID-19 from the spring season? BT: There are still many potential protocols being discussed by the NCAA, Summit League, as well as our campus, but one thing remains the same: our No. 1 priority is to keep our team healthy and safe, and we adhere to any recommendations to do that. Q: Eden Brooker took a huge step in

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her development last season, earning an All-Summit League First Team selection. What was it like seeing her improvement over the years while also getting the chance to see her play one more year? BT: Eden had a tremendous spring season, and the growth from her previous year was a credit to the work she put in. We know she’ll continue to grow and impact our team on the field, but she also will help many of our younger players navigate the way to high performance. Q: Last spring, you guys didn’t get an opportunity to play a nonconference schedule because of the pandemic. How important is it to get those extra games in this fall before conference play kicks off? BT: Nonconference games are vital, as it gives us some time to experiment with our game mode and possibly different systems that we may want to play. I know our nonconference schedule will do a great job of preparing us for Summit League play.

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sdsucollegian.com

SPORTS

August 20, 2021

Students connect through intramurals Fall leagues • • • • • • •

Kickball Flag football Softball Bowling-doubles Dodgeball Basketball Wallyball

One-day tournaments • • • • •

Sand volleyball Spikeball (two-day) Table tennis- doubles Costume nerf war Doubles UNO card game

Fantasy leagues • • • • •

College pick ‘em NFL pick ‘em Bachelorette bracket Bowl game pick ‘em Esports

SKYLER JACKSON Sports Reporter (He/Him) Whether you were a former varsity athlete in high school or have never played organized sports before, joining an intramural league could prove to be an excellent decision for you. College is a big transition for many incoming ﬁrst-year students, and doing an intramural sport could be one way to help with that transition and make it easier. Courtney Berntsen, the competitive sports coordinator at South Dakota State University, said that recreational sports are an excellent way for students to unwind and take their minds oﬀ academics. It’s also a great way to help students balance their academics with their social lives. “There are so many benefits to intramural sports,” Berntsen said. “Just to get your mind off of whatever may be stressing you out, it’s a great way to just

come and relieve some of that stress.” Berntsen added that intramural sports could also help improve students’ mental and physical health, as they allow them to get involved, meet people and make new friends. The Miller Wellness Center offers an intramural activity for just about everyone this year. On top of the usual popular leagues, many non-athletic tournaments and fantasy leagues will be done virtually throughout the fall semester. “We have your typical sports like flag football and basketball, but it also doesn’t mean you have to be physically active,” Berntsen said. “So even if they’re choosing not to be active, they can still participate in the intramurals.” Some new additions to this semester’s lineup are an UNO card game doubles tournament Nov. 22, a bracket tournament for The Bachelorette TV show, which starts Oct. 19 and runs every Tuesday, and a costume nerf war on Halloween. Recreational sports took a hit last year

because of the pandemic. Some leagues and tournaments were not held, and many others had to reduce teams and participants. Berntsen said that she’s glad that intramural sports will be making their return to normal this semester. “As of right now, we plan to go forward with a non-COVID-19 season,” Berntsen said. “But I can’t say that that will not change in the future.” With the fall semester fast approaching, Berntsen recommends that students interested in any intramural sports this fall register as soon as possible, because some leagues and tournaments fill up quickly. Registration for intramural sports is done online via FusionIM, and registrations open Monday, Aug. 23. “Getting our word out to all students is what we’re looking to do,” Berntsen said. “And because intramurals are free, [we’re] trying to give them a time to just let go of that stress and separate their personal life from everything else that’s going on.”

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