The University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota, founded in 1862, is the state's flagship institution, the oldest university and is designated as the only public liberal arts university in South Dakota.

Our Mission:

The University of South Dakota offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs within the South Dakota System of Higher Education. As the oldest university in the state, the University of South Dakota serves as the flagship and the only public liberal arts university in the state.

Our Vision:

To be the best small, public flagship university in the nation built upon a liberal arts foundation.

Our Values:

The University of South Dakota is committed to becoming a regional leader in diversity and inclusiveness initiatives and the practice of Inclusive Excellence.

Colleges, Schools, Divisions:

Campus & Community:

USD is located on an attractive 321-acre campus in Vermillion, a small community nestled along the bluffs above the Missouri River in the southeast corner of South Dakota. Vermillion serves as a safe, welcoming host for the university and recreational and cultural opportunities abound in town, the nearby countryside and in neighboring communities.

New Buildings & Facilities:

Spots Performance Enhancement Facility

Includes an arena for basketball and volleyball
Outdoor track and soccer complex
Science, health and research lab
To be completed Fall 2016

Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center

Named in honor of Theodore (Ted) Muenster and his wife, Karen
Completed in 2009
$22.8 million cost
76,000 square-foot building
Financial support came from student fees, donations from University partners Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Aramark (a professional services company), and private donations, including a $5 million gift from the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation
Multi-level campus dining area (indoor and outdoor seating)
500-person capacity multipurpose room
State-of-the-art conference rooms
Meeting and lounge areas
Multi-cultural center
Offices for Student Government Association & Student Activities Center
Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore
Campus Brew
An additional 30,000 square feet of dining space was added in 2014
Seating capacity expanded to 1200
Added retail franchises: Chick-Fil-A, Qdoba, Einstein Brothers and Papa John's
Remodeled convenience store space in North Complex
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Andrew E. Lee Memorial Medicine and Science Building

$37 million project, one of the largest in State history
Completed in 2008
High-tech research laboratories, classrooms & offices
More than 156,000 square-feet
Classrooms are wired to enable delivery of educational content online and computers in classrooms and study spaces are fully loaded with essential specialty software
Funding for the project included $12.5 million from the Higher Education Facilities Fund, $12.5 million from Campaign South Dakota, $10.2 million from the federal government and $1.8 million from the state. Lead private gifts of $3 million each came from Avera Health, Regional Health and Sanford Health
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Beacom School of Business

$19.5 million, 73,000 square-foot facility to house Beacom School of Business
Large, state-of-the-art auditorium for faculty & guest lecturers
Completed in 2009
A state-of-the-art research center
Student and faculty integration rooms
SMART classroom technology
Offices for faculty & staff members
Funding provided by private donations, student tuition & from the Board of Regents Higher Education Facilities Fund

Slagle Hall Aalfs Auditorium

$8.2 million renovation to 38,000 square-foot facility
Constructed in 1925, auditorium renovations include a new chiller system, lighting upgrades for performances, enhanced electrical service to building & additional restrooms
Completed in 2011
Improved acoustics, accessible seating, new stage floors & improved sightlines
E.M. Skinner Opus 548 Organ (unaltered) renovated
Refurbished venue will host musical theatre, orchestras and musical ensembles, soloists, dance companies & lectures
Funded by $3.6 million in private funding and $4.6 million from the Board of Regents Higher Education Facilities Fund

Coyote Village

$26.8 million, 195,708 square-foot suite-style apartment complex located south of the DakotaDome
Completed in 2010
175 units with 550 beds, including two-and four-bedroom options for students
Kitchenettes complete with full-sized refrigerators, a microwave and a sink
Private bathrooms shared by no more than two students
Fully furnished units
Hardwired Internet access for each single-occupied bedroom
Wireless access throughout building
Convenience store
Central laundry facility
SMART classroom and online gaming station technology
Funding provided by bonds paid for by lease revenues
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Wellness Center

$15 million, 61,000 square-foot facility
Completed in 2011
Located north of the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts
State-of-the-art workout equipment, multi-story climbing wall, Multipurpose Activity Court, a large open workout space with treadmills, exercise bicycles, elliptical machines, stretching mats and a weight room space with free weights & strength-training equipment
Multiple recreation courts for basketball & volleyball
Two racquetball courts
Group fitness studios for aerobics, pilates & yoga
Three-lane walking/jogging track
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Science Laboratory Renovations

Major renovation of labs & classrooms in the Arthur M. Pardee Laboratory building ($3.8 million), Akeley-Lawrence Science Center ($5.25 million) and Churchill Haines Laboratory ($6.75 million)
Completed in 2011
Funded from state and student tuition
Pardee Laboratory, constructed in 1914, received exhaust, electrical & plumbing improvements for restoration of research labs and classrooms
Akeley-Lawrence Science Center, built in 1962, received renovations to individual research lab spaces, modernized existing classrooms and helped fulfill the State's Deep Underground Science & Engineering Lab (DUSEL) research agenda.

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