Student Affairs Annual Report July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Last Updated: 07/13/2023
STUDENT AFFAIRS 2 ANNUAL REPORT About Northern State University Northern State University offers a personalized educational experience, with rigorous, nationally accredited academic programs in arts and sciences, business, fine arts, and teacher education. With more than 45 majors, 55 minors and 16 pre-professional programs, Northern provides hands-on learning and internship opportunities that will help unleash your potential and prepare you for a rewarding career. Located in Aberdeen, S.D., we’re known for our affordability—and for having the largest guaranteed scholarship in the region. At Northern, you’ll learn from dedicated faculty and staff who truly care about you and want to help you succeed. You’ll also find a place to belong, with numerous diverse campus organizations in a safe, welcoming community. Northern State University Establishment and Authorization: Northern State University was established by the Legislature (SDCL 13-59-1) and authorized by the Board of Regents to deliver graduate and undergraduate programs; promote excellence in teaching and learning; support research, scholarly and creative activities; provide service to the state of South Dakota, the region, and the nation; and to place a special emphasis on E-learning in the university curriculum and service. Mission Northern State University will provide diverse academic, civic, social, and cultural opportunities that prepare students through the liberal arts, professional education and E-learning for their future endeavors, while also enriching the local and regional community. Vision Northern State University will be regionally recognized as a student-centered, diverse community dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, creativity, and civic and global awareness. Values Northern State University’s students, faculty and staff are committed to the following values: Land Acknowledgment Northern State University (NSU) acknowledges South Dakota as the ancestral territory of the Santee, Yankton, and Teton Lakota, which is an alliance known as the Oceti Sakowin (o-che-tee sha-koh-ween) (Seven Council Fires). Oceti Sakowin is historically known as the Sioux by non-Native people. The nine Native Nations that share the state’s geography include: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe. Northern State University acknowledges that before this land was called South Dakota, it was home to many Native Nations indigenous to this area. It is with profound respect that we acknowledge the indigenous peoples of this land past, present and future. Cover photo: Students Ryleigh Huppler and Maray Larson walk on the campus green. Community Building a culture of inclusion, belonging and collegiality that respects diversity in knowledge, culture, and world view Discovery Pursuing rigor and excellence in education, inquiry, and engagement for the benefit of our students, state, and region Integrity Adhering to the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and transparency with a commitment to responsible stewardship of resources
STUDENT AFFAIRS 3 ANNUAL REPORT Student Affairs at Northern State University Engaged Learners: We seek engaged learners who create inclusive communities, fully participate in the life of the university, connect classroom content to real-life situations, and integrate learning into their understanding of the world around them. Engaged students perform better academically, persist to graduation, and are more likely to remain connected to the University following graduation. Northern alumni leverage the knowledge and skills gained in and out of the classroom to contribute to their communities, our state, and the nation. Student Affairs is comprised of the Avera Student Center, Avera Student Health, Campus Safety, Counseling Services, Dean of Students Office, Multicultural Student Affairs, New Student Programs (HOWL & Wolf Pack Welcome), Prevention Services, Residence Life and Dining Services, Student Accessibility Services, Student Government Association, Student Involvement and Leadership, Student Organizations, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Summer Camps and Conferences, and Title IX. Vision: To promote student success through engagement, holistic wellness, and providing excellent student-centered services. Mission: To advance the student success agenda of Northern State University, we will: • Provide safe, comfortable, affordable, and physically and programmatically appealing housing and dining programs to students living on campus; • Provide integrated wellness services to address physical and behavioral health; • Educate students; encourage personal accountability for their choices and actions; refer students to appropriate resource on and off-campus; • Engage students in leadership opportunities; provide educational, social, and entertaining programs and events; • Foster opportunities for students to provide feedback to the university and participate in shared governance. Values: Our values represent beliefs and principles that drive the culture and priorities of Student Affairs and provide the crucial framework within which decisions are made. Student Development Creating services, environments, and programs that develop students along intellectual, cognitive, social, ethical, and identity dimensions. Personal and Social Responsibility Educating students to strive for excellence, cultivate personal and academic integrity, contribute to a larger community, take seriously the perspectives of others, and develop competence in ethical and moral reasoning and action (Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2007). Holistic Wellness Promoting cognitive, cultural, emotional, environmental, financial, physical, social, and spiritual wellness as critical components of student success. Inclusion & Sense of Belonging Fostering a diverse and international community that includes, validates, recognizes, and respects all ethnicities, genders, sexualities, identities, abilities, cultures, and worldviews as a required foundation of student success. Engagement Developing an engaged student body that creates an inclusive community, fully participates in the life of the university, connects classroom content to real-life situations, and integrates learning into their understanding of the world around them. Engaged students perform better academically, persist to graduation, and are more likely to remain connected to the University following graduation. Transitions Welcoming and assisting students in the transition to college and Northern State University in ways that support the values and priorities of retention, persistence, engagement, and wellness.
STUDENT AFFAIRS 4 ANNUAL REPORT The pace of change at a small liberal arts institution is both exhilarating and sometimes, a bit intimidating. Student Affairs has made the most of this busy year and continues to make progress on our goals as defined by our Strategic Plan. I’m incredibly proud of the Student Affairs team for all their hard work, persistence, and dedication to student success. This annual report will highlight updates and progress made toward achieving the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Significant progress was made in the areas of assessment, mental health, inclusion and belonging, combating sexual violence and hunger, and advancing partnerships that help students succeed. We are extremely proud of all the work accomplished in year three of our Strategic Plan. The heart of this annual report will share our progress to date. We also proudly highlight our teams’ contributions across campus and within our community. We hope you will also enjoy learning more about two graduating students who inspired our work and remind us of the power of engagement within higher education. Sean Blackburn Dean of Students Message from the Dean of Students Sean Blackburn Dean of Students
STUDENT AFFAIRS 5 ANNUAL REPORT Staff transitions Student Affairs welcomed Brittany Bell, Laine Converse, Michelle Dannen, Becky Kuch, and Melanie Neiber to an upgraded role, while saying goodbye to three colleagues during the 2022-23 year. Ms. Melanie Neiber was promoted to Senior Secretary for Residence Life and Student Involvement and Leadership in July 2022. Neiber had served as a secretary for Residence Life and Student Involvement and Leadership since February 2016. “Melanie is an invaluable support to our office. We are grateful for Melanie’s excellent service to Northern and happy all her hard work was recognized with this position upgrade,” said Marty Sabolo, Director of Residence Life and Dining Services. The promotion was called for in Key Result 194, “audit and adjust for additional duties assigned to the secretary for Residence Life and Student Involvement and Leadership” from the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Ms. Brittany Bell was named Associate Director for Residential Education in June 2022. Bell was most recently the West Complex Director and Residential Education Coordinator at Black Hills State University. She has also served as a Community Engagement Coordinator at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., and has been accepted into the Interpersonal Leadership Ed.D. Program at Kent State University. Bell received her M.S. in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma. While at Black Hills State, Bell took a leadership role in developing a new resident assistant training program and developed a residential curriculum to augment programming efforts in the residence halls. Bell assumed this repurposed role consistent with Key Result 196 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Mr. Laine A. Converse was named Residential Community Coordinator for Residence Education in October 2022. Converse earned his B.S.Ed. in History Education in December 2022 from Northern State University. He has worked in Residence Life at Northern for the last year and a half as a resident assistant, senior resident assistant, and has held numerous other student leadership positions, most recently as Vice President of the Student Government Association (2021-22). Converse hails from Omaha, Neb., and assumed this repurposed role consistent with Key Result 196 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Ms. Michelle Dannen was named Residential Facilities Coordinator in October 2022. Dannen joined the team after many years of experience with the Brown County Register of Deeds’ Office and as a sales manager with Herberger’s. She is also a local Girl Scout Troop leader and captain of her Relay for Life team. She attended the Brown Institute of Minneapolis and Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls. Dannen hails from Fergus Falls, Minn., and assumed this repurposed role consistent with Key Result 196 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025).
STUDENT AFFAIRS 6 ANNUAL REPORT Ms. Becky Kuch (NCC, LPCMH, LPCC), was named Director of Counseling and Health Services in December 2022. Kuch succeeds Heather Aldentaler, who left Northern in September to work in private practice here in Aberdeen. Kuch is a mental health therapist with 21 years of experience and was most recently in private practice with Northern Plains Psychological Associates here in Aberdeen. She has an M.S.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and B.S. in Psychology, both from Northern State University, and is thrilled to return to where she got her start in the field. Ms. Heather R. Aldentaler, Director of Counseling and Health Services, announced her departure in August 2022 to work in private practice here in Aberdeen. Originally from Eden, S.D., Aldentaler is a longtime Aberdeen resident who earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at Northern. Outside of work, she is passionate about volunteerism and serving the community. That includes serving as a Red Cross Volunteer-Disaster Mental Health and Military Reconnection Workshop Facilitator. “We are grateful to Heather, who served in this critical role for the past four years,” said Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students. After six years of distinguished service to Northern State University and a 24-year career in law enforcement, Officer Angela Senger retired June 15 from the Aberdeen Police Department and her position as the Campus Police Officer. “Senger’s dedication and professionalism has significantly contributed to the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, and guests of Northern State University,” said Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students. Senger, a graduate of Aberdeen Central High School, was named the Northern Campus Police Officer in August 2017. Senger joined the Aberdeen Police Department in April 1999 after attending the South Dakota Police Academy in Pierre, S.D. Prior to that she served as a part-time animal control officer. During her time with APD, Senger coordinated the Sex Offender Registry and piloted the Domestic Violence Officer position, which she serves in during the summers away from campus. Senger has contributed to many Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025) Key Results including a critical restructuring of the Northern CARES behavioral intervention team. Senger’s role always included a community service element such as coordinating Aberdeen’s National Night Out for over 15 years and serving as the Special Olympics Department Coordinator. “Senger will be greatly missed on campus,” said her biggest fan, Marty L. Sabolo. In her retirement, Senger plans to volunteer with SPURS Therapeutic Riding Center, spend more time with family, and enjoy her home on the lake. After 30 years in the food service industry, Melanie Hogg decided to take a break from serving as the Director of Dining Services to spend more time with her husband, children, and grandchildren in June 2023. Melanie was the No. 1 reason Northern’s transition from Aramark to Sodexo was so smooth over the past year. Her focus on innovating the board plan was just underway and already making a difference. Melanie was named Director of Dining Services with Aramark Higher Education in August 2021 and Director of Dining Services with Sodexo in May 2022. Prior to her time at Northern, Hogg served as the Food Service Director at Presentation College. Born and raised in Oregon, Hogg moved to Maui, Hawaii, in 2005 and was a general manager at the Kula Lodge & Restaurant for four years. In 2009, Hogg moved to South Dakota to purchase a restaurant in Faulkton and lived and ran that location for eight years. Hogg moved to Aberdeen in 2017. Staff Transitions, continued…
STUDENT AFFAIRS 7 ANNUAL REPORT Updates to Avera Student Center Beginning in August and continuing throughout the fall semester, several Avera Student Center projects were completed to improve the overall customer experience in the building and advance Objective 5, Create the Heart of the Campus Community, from the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). We thank the entire community for their patience with the disruptions and inconveniences experienced as we made these improvements for students. • Aged carpet replaced in the public spaces (Key Result 131). • The Wolf Shoppe partnered with Residence Life to install a new locker system in the lower level to provide students convenient access to package pickup whenever the building is open. • A Dacotah Bank ATM was installed in the dining space adjacent to Einstein Bros. Bagels. • Installation of a special film on the windows of the Avera Student Center Mall to better manage the climate control (Key Result 127). • Replaced the five malfunctioning gas fireplaces throughout the Avera Student Center (Key Result 133). • The Wolf Shoppe installed a vinyl sign on a west facing lower-level window to increase their visibility to oncampus and off-campus customers (Key Result 51). • Installed 5 new accessible door openers in the Avera Student Center bathrooms and the Student Affairs Suite for greater accessibility for all faculty, staff, and students (Key Result 172). In addition, phase one of the refresh of Einstein Bros. Bagels to update brand standards was completed, leading to a partial reopening in August 2022 (Key Result 16). Thanks to Megan Frewaldt, Marty Sabolo, Doug Leidholt, Monte Mehlhoff, Alan Kinder, Veronica Paulson and all our partners in Facilities Management for their many efforts with these projects. Northern participates in The Out of the Darkness Walk To raise awareness of suicide and mental health, over 100 Northern students, staff, faculty, and family members came together to support the Aberdeen Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at the Odde Ice Arena. This walk was the beginning of numerous other programs in support of mental health on campus. We hope this will continue year after year as we foster a community that supports one another in all aspects of our health and wellness. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts Community Walks in hundreds of cities across the country. They are the core of the Out of the Darkness movement, which began in 2004. These events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-byside, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost. Suicide is a deeply impactful issue facing our communities, especially for college-age students. According to the South Dakota Department of Health, suicide is the leading cause of death among individuals 10-29 years old in South Dakota, with the highest rates of suicide among young adults ages 2029. Of the South Dakotans that die by suicide each year, 79 percent are men, while women are nearly twice as likely to engage in nonfatal self-harm. Native Americans have a suicide rate 2.6 times higher than white individuals. In 2021, South Dakota had the seventh highest suicide rate in the United States.
STUDENT AFFAIRS 8 ANNUAL REPORT The impetus for this awareness week was inspired by student leader Emily Meier, a political science major from Aberdeen, who received a grant through the Bush Foundation’s Change Network program in 2021. The first Mental Health Week was held Nov. 14-20, 2021. Under the leadership of Brittany Bell (Associate Director for Residential Education) and Jacob Swanson (Special Projects), Student Affairs led a coalition of campus partners to host this important week of events. Mental health is a vital part of our wellbeing and important for the success of our students, faculty, and staff. Two common barriers when seeking help for mental health concerns are the stigma surrounding mental health and a lack of information regarding available resources. Mental Wellness Week addressed both concerns with a variety of programing for all. The collaboration included: Campus Activity Board (CAB), CETL, Communications and Marketing, Counseling Services, Counselor Education, Dean of Students, Honors Program, Residence Life, Student Government Association, Student Involvement and Leadership, TRIO SSS, and W.A.V.E. (Wolves for Advocacy, Volunteerism, and Engagement). Programming throughout the week included themes for each day and a wide variety of programs. Monday, Oct. 17 (Meditation Monday – Wear Comfy Loungewear) • Mental Wellness Resource Fair • Wave Tie-Dye • Combating Blue Moods-Research Project • Painting with Natural Stains • Trauma-Informed Pedagogy (Faculty session) • Yoga Tuesday, Oct. 18 (Team Up Tuesday – Dress Like a Dynamic Team) • Wave Tie-Dye (Continued) • Student QPR • Gold Series: The One About Stress • Positivity Sticks with TRIO SSS • Stronger Than You Know: Resiliency Workshop with Honors Wednesday, Oct. 19 (Wear Green for Mental Health) • Four Feet Better, Animals and Mental Health • Northern CARES (Faculty/Staff Training) • Benefits of Laughter with Dr. Liz Sills • Zumba • WOLF Talk TRIO SSS, Never Too Old to Play Thursday, Oct. 20 (Thoughtful Thursday – Wear Tie-Dye) • Sound Bath with Vibrant Life • Just for the ‘Health’ of it • Restorative Yoga • CAB Make and Take Craft • Stress and Chinese Medicine • Shrink Rap Podcast LIVE Friday, Oct. 21 (Northern Fam Friday – Dress in Wolf Apparel) • Combating Blue Moods- Research Project Conclusion The events highlighted the many resources available to the community. • Counseling Services are available for students at 222 Avera Student Center or by calling 605-626-3007, M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • Employees may receive free support through the Employee Assistance Program by calling 800-713-6288. • You can also call 2-1-1 for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service is free and confidential. 2-1-1 offers support for the following: substance use, suicidal thoughts, depression, relationship conflicts, stress, mental health, concerns for a loved one, isolation, and trauma. • Northeastern Mental Health Center (NEMHC) offers a 24hour crisis line at 605-229-1000. • Call or Text 988, the new 911 for mental health emergencies. • If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1. Northern celebrates Mental Wellness Week Northern State University hosted our second Mental Wellness Week Oct. 17-21, 2022, with events aimed at reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare, to educate the community on available resources, and to improve campus mental wellness. Northern Mental Wellness Week is part of Key Result 72, Create a marketing campaign and educational programing to decrease the stigma associated with seeking behavioral health care, from the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025).
STUDENT AFFAIRS 9 ANNUAL REPORT Northern dedicates Tribal Flag Display The Northern community joined President Schnoor, Native American Student Association at Northern (NASA) President Alexis Martin, Circle Program Director Lara Nelson, tribal leaders, and students for a dedication of Northern’s South Dakota Tribal Flag Display on Oct. 13, 2022, in the Avera Student Center Mezzanine. NASA Vice President Aceanna Baker-Ramsey reads the Land Acknowledgement. “Prior to the pandemic, a staggering 30 percent of all college students experienced food insecurity at some point in their college careers.” This is according to “Hunger on Campus - The Challenge of Food Insecurity for College Students,” a project of the College and University Food Bank Alliance, National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, Student Government Resource Center, and the Student Public Interest Research Groups. “We realize that sometimes students are faced with financial hardships that create barriers to their physical and mental well-being,” said Marty Sabolo, Director of Residence Life and Dining Services. With this in mind, the Office of Residence Life and Dining Services in partnership with Northern’s dining services provider, Sodexo, created “Wolves Attacking Hunger.” This program will allow any student who is food insecure to request a set number of meal swipes per week to be used in the Wolves Den. While this program is limited, our hope is that it will assist students with a few meals each week throughout the semester as they work with various agencies in the community to find additional assistance. During the inaugural year of this program, Northern State, with their partner Sodexo Campus, provided 512 meals to 14 students. Students may request to be a part of this program by contacting Residence Life and Dining Services in Suite 222, Avera Student Center, at 605-626-3007 or reslife@northern.edu. Student requests will be kept private and will only be reviewed by members of the Northern CARES Team and a representative from Financial Aid. Wolves Attacking Hunger is Key Result 18, Create a new food insecurity program similar to “Swipe Out Hunger,” from the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Wolves Attacking Hunger launched Residence Life and Dining Services announced a new program in September 2022 to help hungry students. The display serves as a symbol of support for Native American students and honors the spirit they represent in their tribal communities. The event began with a Smudging at 3:30 p.m. on the campus green outside the Avera Student Center. At 4 p.m., the dedication ceremony occurred in the Avera Student Center Mezzanine. The dedication included remarks by Nelson, Martin, and President Schnoor. The ceremony also featured a procession by the Akicita Indigenous Woman Honor Guard, Drum-Lakota Flag Song, Aberdeen Central High School NASA, and a reading of the Northern Land Acknowledgment by NASA Vice President Aceanna BakerRamsey. The dedication ceremony was hosted by the Circle Program, NASA, and Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA). The Circle Program, American Indian Advisory Committee, and MSA began securing the tribal flags in 2018. The flag dedication completes Key Result 178 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2022).
STUDENT AFFAIRS 10 ANNUAL REPORT Progress was made in the past year as Student Affairs further advanced Objective 6: Advance Campus Safety of the Strategic Plan with additional sexual violence prevention and educational efforts. New efforts included: • The Administrator-Researcher Campus Climate Collaborative (ARC3) Campus Climate Survey was administered. • Additional communications and marketing efforts were implemented throughout the year. • A Safe Harbor advocate was available on campus the first and third Tuesday of every month. • A partnership was established with the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. • A presentation for students on bystander intervention, Sex Signals, took place on April 17. • Northern celebrated Denim Day on April 26. ARC3 Under the leadership of the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Title IX Coordinator Krista Bau, Northern administered the ARC3 Campus Climate Survey on sexual misconduct during the spring 2022 semester. One finding from the ARC3 data was that 43 percent of students were not aware of their reporting options when they or a friend experienced sexual misconduct. Beginning with a campus safety presentation during HOWL (New Student Orientation) and Wolf Pack Welcome, additional communications and marketing efforts were implemented throughout the year. This included Title IX posters in the restrooms and residence halls and updated mirror stickers in all campus bathrooms. For more on the ARC3, See Assessment Efforts Advanced on page 17. Additional Communications In fall 2022, the Dean of Students received permission for the Student Budget and Appropriation Committee (SBAC) to reallocate $3,400 of funds to increase marketing efforts on Sexual Misconduct reporting. This effort continued for FY 24. Bau started partnering with the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault (known as The Network) in spring 2023. She received a grant worth $2,000, split between this year and next, to purchase Northern committed to eliminating sexual violence; expands prevention, educational efforts Northern State University is dedicated to fostering a caring community, free from discrimination and harassment; complying with Title IX, preventing and remedying sexual misconduct; and ensuring a safe environment in which all members of our community may live, learn and work. “We take the topic of sexual misconduct seriously at Northern. It is important to listen to students, educate the campus community, and provide additional support and resources for those impacted. We hope to empower students to help us create a culture of respect and safety.” Krista Bau, Title IX Coordinator educational materials and to promote Northern’s Title IX efforts. This included informational magnets on where to find help on or off campus, which will be distributed within the residence halls this fall semester on resident micro-fridges. Additional materials such as items surrounding consent, awareness of sexual violence and educational products were also purchased for students. Expanded Partnership with Safe Harbor Early in the fall semester, Student Affairs and Safe Harbor announced an expanded partnership to provide an important community resource on campus. Under the new partnership, a Safe Harbor advocate is now available on campus the first and third Tuesday of every month and is available 24/7 via phone or text at 605622-0104. A confidential space to visit with the advocate is located in the Student Affairs Suite 222, in the Avera Student Center. Safe Harbor provides confidential support, advocacy and education surrounding domestic
Residence life offering a “new experience” to interns visiting Aberdeen Over the past few years, the Office of Residence Life has seen a growth in the number of students living on campus during the summer months. However, that growth hasn’t come from the traditional student taking summer classes on campus, but instead from students across the region coming to Aberdeen for a summer internship program. STUDENT AFFAIRS 11 ANNUAL REPORT and sexual violence for women, men and children. Creating an on-campus advocate program to increase visibility and services to students, staff and faculty who have experienced sexual misconduct with Safe Harbor is Key Result 156 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (20212025). Safe Harbor provides community education surrounding a variety of topics and their services to youth and young adults. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation for your class or student organization, please contact Jordan Kulcyzk, Safe Harbor Outreach Coordinator, at jordank@safeharborsd.org. Partnering with The Network, Director Bau was able to bring the interactive bystander intervention program, Sex Signals, to campus. Sex Signals is a two-person team of highly trained educators who guided the audience on an interactive, relevant, and often hilarious exploration of the cultural messaging we receive about gender, sexuality, sexual health and intimate relationships. The presentation examined the roles culture and privilege play in justifying unhealthy and dangerous beliefs about what is acceptable social and sexual behavior. The South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault is committed to advancing prevention endeavors, improving response efforts and advocacy by diligently working within our communities, across our state and in our Tribal Nations. The Network is a statelevel nonprofit agency comprised of caring people dealing with the concerns of domestic violence and sexual assault victims. In conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Safe Harbor and the Network partnered with Bau to highlight Denim Day and to raise awareness of sexual violence and the consequences of victim blaming. Denim Day, a campaign on a Wednesday in April, began after an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that the victim was wearing tight jeans and must have helped the perpetrator remove them, thereby implying consent. Bau tabled to raise awareness surrounding sexual violence during the week in addition to having jeans available for students to write a message of support. How to Get Help: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct, you can report to the Title IX Coordinator, Krista Bau, at krista.bau@northern. edu or 605-626-3007. Students can also report using our online reporting system. Safe Harbor has a 24/7 help line and can be reached at 605-226-1212. Aberdeen Police Department may be reached at 605-626-7911 or in emergencies, 911. (For on-campus extensions, dial 9-911 for emergency services.) For more information about Northern’s efforts to eliminate sexual violence, email krista.bau@northern.edu or visit the Student Affairs website. Northern committed to eliminating sexual violence; expands prevention, educational efforts continued… Many local businesses including local banks, Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Agtegra Cooperative, bring college students to Aberdeen from across the region to complete an eight- or 12-week internship in the Aberdeen community. With such a short stay, it is often hard to find adequate and affordable housing. That is where Residence Life is able to step in and provide suitestyle housing in Kramer Hall at an affordable price. “We can offer them private rooms, access to the hall lounges, kitchens, and laundry facilities all at a cost that is lower than short-term housing within the community. Our campus partners in Athletics allow them access to the Fitness Center as a bonus,” Marty Sabolo, Director of Residence Life and Dining Services, said when asked what services are provided. Prior to 2020, Sabolo said we were getting between four to six interns a year. And then in 2020, due to the pandemic, we had none. Over the past three years, we have marketed this more within the community and have seen a growth from 12 in 2021, 22 in 2023, and 27 this summer. Sabolo sees this as a great way to increase the university’s auxiliary service’s budget while also serving as an asset to our local community, and he hopes to see the growth continue.
STUDENT AFFAIRS 12 ANNUAL REPORT This was the largest delegation to SDHEA in recent memory. Delegates represented Student Involvement and Leadership, Multicultural Student Affairs, Residence Life, and several students interested in careers in Student Affairs. The keynote speaker was Holly Hoffman - the last remaining member of the Espada Tribe and the last woman standing on Season 21 of CBS’ hit reality show “Survivor Nicaragua” (pictured with the staff to the right). Dean Blackburn and Megan Frewadlt presented “Taking Strategic Planning Off the Dusty Bookshelf,” a session focused on how participants can deeply engage in strategic planning and then use those efforts to advance services to students, gain resources, and find a deep sense of direction and fulfillment. Supporting professional development and encouraging team members to be life-long learners is part of Key Result 189 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Student Affairs Attends SDHEA Fall Conference A delegation of Student Affairs staff and students proudly represented Northern at the South Dakota Higher Education Association (SDHEA) Fall Conference on Nov. 9 and 10 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Student Affairs Team with Holly Hoffman. Students learned that they may call or text for support with a mental health emergency, for themselves or for a friend. This service is free, private, and available across the country. All members of the Northern community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends – are encouraged to use this service as needed. “When someone calls, chats, or texts 988, they can expect to be connected to a crisis specialist who is trained and prepared to deliver support to anyone experiencing a crisis. Because a crisis is defined by the person or family experiencing it, the crisis specialist will engage with the person to understand and address the person’s unique concerns and needs. The intervention may include assessment, stabilization, referral, and follow-up for individuals at high risk for suicide and/or poor mental health outcomes.” To learn more about 988, visit https://sdsuicideprevention.org/988-2/. Supporting student mental health with Talk Text Option 988 is the new 911 for mental health emergencies. In fall 2022, Student Affairs launched an awareness campaign for the 988 service. 1https://sdsuicideprevention.org/988-2/
STUDENT AFFAIRS 13 ANNUAL REPORT Partnerships with community agencies provide free or costeffective services for students Partnerships with community agencies provide free or cost-effective services for Northern State University students that support their academic and personal success. Engaging community partners in strategies and projects to advance NSU, Aberdeen and the region is Northern’s third Strategic Priority. Community agencies include: • Aberdeen Police Department • Avera Health • Northeastern Mental Health Center • Safe Harbor • The Salvation Army • Sodexo Campus Avera Health Thanks to the generosity of Avera Health, a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) or a Physician’s Assistant and a Patient Services Representative are available on campus to support students’ health. Avera Student Health is open Monday-Friday during the academic year. Students may be seen free of charge for assessment and treatment of acute or sudden onset of illness or injury, certain lab testing, over-the-counter medications, flu shots, referral services, and discounted prescription medications. These services are donated by Avera Health and represent significant savings to students and the university. To learn more about Avera Student Health, visit Student Affairs in Suite 222, Avera Student Center, or call 605-626-3007. Northeastern Mental Health Center Northeastern Mental Health Center offers broad support and student-friendly pricing throughout the region and at its Aberdeen location. To meet the growing demand for personal counseling, Student Affairs and Counseling Services expanded their partnership with NEMHC this past fall semester. Students may contact Student Affairs for assistance with appointments or other referrals. A locally managed, 24-hour crisis line is available at 605229-1000. Northeastern Mental Health Center is a community treatment center dedicated to the health, wellness and recovery of those with mental health and substance use disorders and may be reached at 605-225-1010 or https:// nemhc.org/. Sodexo Campus Food insecurity is a growing problem for college students who are already stretched financially to cover the costs of higher education. Thanks to a partnership between Residence Life and Sodexo Campus, a new program was launched in fall 2022 called Wolves Attacking Hunger. This program will allow any student who is food insecure to request a set number of meal swipes per week to be used in the Wolves Den. (See more details on page 9). This program is free to Northern, and a result of a new campus food contract developed from a South Dakota Board of Regents Senate Bill 55 project. The Salvation Army The Salvation Army knows that many students struggle to afford all the expenses of college. To support students in need, the Mobile Market and Pantry was created in fall 2021 and is offered monthly in the Avera Student Center. With only their Pack Pass (student ID), students may receive free pantry items, produce and pastries. The main Salvation Army Food Pantry, at 1003 Sixth Ave. S.W., is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday by appointment. Call 605-225-7410 for more details. Safe Harbor Northern State University is committed to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Safe Harbor is available on campus the first and third Tuesday of every month through the academic year to support men, women and children who are victims of sexual or
The first uNity walk was hosted two years ago as part of programming at Northern in response to the murder of George Floyd and rallies for racial justice across the country. Isaiah Nolan, President of uNity and graduate assistant for Multicultural Student Affairs, was the lead organizer for the event. Students, faculty, and staff gathered on the Campus Green to rally prior to the walk to Melgaard Park, where a social was held. The speakers shared the importance of inclusion and belonging for all at Northern. Megan Frewaldt, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership, shared, “Simply put, a commitment to inclusion – to uNity - is to create a culture where every student – current and future, alumni, staff, and faculty sees themselves belonging not only at Northern, but in higher education and the world of academia. Further, this sense of belonging gives us courage and curiosity to engage in a meaningful way in an increasingly diverse world. It is powerful to see everyone joining together today to show support for uNity in our pack. As Rudyard Kipling poetically wrote in the Jungle Book, ‘Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky, And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.’” Multicultural Student Affairs and uNity plan to host the uNity Walk each fall, as an annual tradition, to help build a campus culture that includes and welcomes every member of the Pack. uNity walk returns Multicultural Student Affairs and the student organization, uNity, hosted the second annual uNity Walk and Social this spring 2023. Members of uNity take a photograph with students during the uNity Walk. domestic violence. They are also available 24/7 via phone or text at 605-622-0104. A confidential space to visit with an advocate is in Student Affairs, Suite 222 in the Avera Student Center. This partnership provides convenient advocacy services to the Northern community free of charge. Safe Harbor also provides community education, emergency shelter, assistance with protection orders, advocacy, safety planning, and support groups at their Aberdeen location. For more information, contact Tori Collesso, toric@safeharborsd.org, or call 605226-1212. Aberdeen Police Department A campus police officer from Aberdeen Police Department (APD) is stationed on campus and serves the Northern community during the academic year. The officer may be found in the Avera Student Center MondayThursday. Given our student population, Northern would not be able to operate a cost-efficient and professionally managed law enforcement unit without support. APD also provides training and other services free of charge to the university community like ALICE Active Shooter Training and the Prescription Medication Takeback. Internships are available for Northern students by contacting Captain Jondahl. The Aberdeen Police Department is a community-oriented police organization comprised of 53 commissioned officers, eight civilian employees and four volunteer reserve officers. Visit aberdeen.sd.us/21/Police or call 605-626-7000 for more information. “We are grateful for these partnerships, which help us meet our mission of supporting students in the most efficient manner, and look forward to many more years of collaboration,” said Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students. For more information about Student Affairs partnerships with community agencies, email sean.blackburn@northern.edu or visit Student Affairs in Suite 222, Avera Student Center. Partnerships with community agencies provide free or costeffective services for students continued… STUDENT AFFAIRS 14 ANNUAL REPORT
STUDENT AFFAIRS 15 ANNUAL REPORT Ethan Kurtz and Jacob Swanson finished as national quarterfinalists at the Pi Kappa Delta National Speech and Debate Tournament, tying for fifth place nationwide. “This tournament, held March 1519 in Philadelphia, Pa., is the largest comprehensive speech and debate tournament in the country,” said Dr. Justin (Gus) Foote, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies/ Director of Forensics. “Kurtz is a senior from Sioux Falls, and Swanson is a senior from South St. Paul, Minn. The students’ success earned the Northern team enough points to finish in fourth place overall in Debate Sweepstakes and second place for the Quality Award,” Foote said. Speech and Debate Team receives National Honors The Northern State University Speech and Debate Team made it to the national quarterfinals, with two students tying for fifth place in the nation. We expect and encourage individuals with hearing impairments to actively participate in the programs, activities, and life of the university. As we expect individuals with a wide range of hearing abilities to fully engage in our meetings, we encourage the proactive use of microphones. Asking your audience “if everyone can hear me,” creates an environment where people must announce their hearing impairments to the whole room or struggle to hear and participate. The following spaces on campus have permanent microphone systems that may be conveniently used for events over 25 people. If you would like assistance setting up the microphone system in the room for your event, please submit a Technology Services ticket. • Centennial Rooms C and D, (Avera Student Center 262) • Missouri River Room (Graham Hall 008) • Red Room (JFAC 117) • Jewett Theater (JFAC 300) • Team Room (BC 220) • Kessler’s Champions Club (BC 250) • Classroom 133 (Jewett Regional Science Center) • Rivett Foyer (107 Science Center) • Krikac Auditorium (Administrative Building 300) Additionally, personal listening devices are available in the spaces below. For more information, please contact Technology Services. • Jewett Theater (JFAC 300) • Kessler’s Champions Club (BC 250) • Classroom 133 (Jewett Regional Science Center) You may request a microphone for your event in other spaces also by submitting a ticket. Students should contact Student Accessibility Services if they need hearing assistance in class. Partnering with Technology Services to make microphones available for use during all meetings over 25 attendees is Key Result 176 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Use the microphone! To help build an increasingly diverse, engaged, inclusive, and welcoming campus, Student Accessibility Services and Technology Services launched an effort in spring 2023 to encourage meeting hosts and campus leaders to utilize a microphone during all meetings over 25 attendees. Left to right: Ethan Kurtz and Jacob Swanson.
STUDENT AFFAIRS 16 ANNUAL REPORT Student Accessibility Services will provide updates as the launch of ACCESS Northern nears. There will be trainings and resources offered in the near future. The implementation and launch of ACCESS Northern is Key Result 35 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). The goal is to improve staff efficiency and customer service around scheduling, accommodations, testing services, and case management. Of particular importance was the ease with which students can register for orientation, whether the orientation program was engaging and easy to understand, and what improvements could be made to the orientation process. EAB provided a series of key observations and findings, as well as recommendations for improving Northern’s virtual orientation program. The Virtual HOWL Working Group oversaw the implementation of many of EAB’s recommendations for both Virtual HOWL and Pre-HOWL. The Virtual HOWL Working Group consists of representatives from Technology Services, Marketing and Communications, Admissions, and Student Affairs. The group updated communications on the website and in Slate to clarify the virtual components of HOWL. Additionally, all content in D2L was updated based on EAB’s recommendations. • A new D2L Content view (Lessons) was enabled for this year, which improves the organization and allows students to easily access files and links from the left-hand menu. • All the HOWL videos were newly recorded this year by Media Services and the respective departments, featuring staff, students, and Thunder on camera. • All the sub-modules in Virtual HOWL are now visible upon entering the module, which makes navigation easier. • Most of the HOWL videos begin with an introduction and end with “Go Wolves!” • The amount of text in both Pre-HOWL and Virtual HOWL was heavily reduced. Important documents were converted into infographics by Communications and Marketing. “The research on orientation clearly indicates that successful orientation programs have a powerful influence on first-year social and academic integration and, furthermore, that social and academic integration have a significant effect on student persistence and educational attainment.” The New Student Transitions Steering Committee and Working Groups will continue to assess all new student programming and implement best practices in alignment with the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan goal to “provide every student with an appropriate, targeted and scaled onboarding experience.” Access Northern coming to campus On Feb. 13, Student Accessibility Services announced the launch of a new, fully ADA-compliant platform called ACCESS Northern. Virtual Howl receives updates As part of the EAB strategic enrollment consultation, the Virtual HOWL programming for incoming students was assessed and updated. Students: ACCESS Northern will allow students to seamlessly submit electronic accommodation documents and requests; connect with note-takers, schedule exams, and more. Faculty: ACCESS Northern will provide faculty a more efficient tool to assist in providing students their ADA-mandated accommodations. Faculty will be able to receive (and look up) approved accommodations for their enrolled students and have a secure space to upload and receive exam information. This secure platform will manage reasonable academic and non-academic accommodations for students and aims to improve the experience and access for both students and faculty. The platform is scheduled for full implementation this June and was partially funded through CARES (COVID-19) funding. Rode, D. (2000). The role of orientation in institutional retention. In M.J. Fabich (Ed.) Orientation planning manual 2000. Pullman, WA: NODA. (p. 3).
STUDENT AFFAIRS 17 ANNUAL REPORT Assessment efforts advanced Assessment efforts continued to expand during the 2022-23 academic year. As called for in the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025) and 2021-22 Assessment Plan, significant efforts were made to leverage data gathered during the spring 2022 semester on four important topics: Sexual Misconduct, Campus Climate, HOWL (New Student Orientation) and Residence Hall Satisfaction. Sexual Misconduct: Under the leadership of the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Title IX Coordinator Krista Bau, Northern administered the Administrator-Researcher Campus Climate Collaborative (ARC3) Campus Climate Survey on sexual misconduct in January 2022. The ARC3 campus climate survey is an evidence-based comprehensive and IRB approved sexual misconduct survey. The survey contains 19 modules that assess a range of Title IX violations. Stemming from Key Result 144 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-25) and the Student Affairs Assessment Report, the data collected from this survey will inform our sexual misconduct prevention efforts and create and implement a comprehensive and mandatory sexual misconduct education program for all new students (under 60 credit hours). In partnership with Brenda Mammenga in Institutional Research, the data collected with the ARC3 was analyzed and a report entitled “ARC3 Survey Findings and Recommendations” was prepared for campus. This report is available to the public on the Student Affairs website. The report outlines 10 Key Finds and Recommendations that will guide program development and interventions over the next two years. Throughout the fall and spring semester, Bau hosted five forums to share the results of the ARC3 with campus, and two open sessions were held in spring 2023. Bau then met with the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, and Staff Senate to further share the data and recommendations with campus. The SGA session open to all students also featured free cheeseburger sliders. The ARC3 should be conducted every two years to track changes and progress towards key results. Campus Climate: The Skyfactor Benchworks Student Campus Climate, Safety and Sexual Assault Assessment was first administered at Northern in spring 2020 as part of a South Dakota Board of Regents initiative commonly referred to as “intellectual diversity.” The President’s Campus Climate Taskforce readministered the survey in March 2022 to allow Northern to gather updated data and to track changes over the past two years. All benefits-eligible employees and degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students received an invitation in their e-mail to participate in this voluntary survey. Survey data with peer benchmarks was made available to the Campus Culture and Climate Committee – formerly the President’s Campus Climate Taskforce - during the summer and released to campus on the MyNSU portal in fall 2022. This data was utilized to implement the Advisory Group on Inclusion and Belonging, which met throughout the fall and spring semester. The Advisory Group will work to ensure an inclusive and non-discriminatory campus climate for all. Dean Blackburn and Assistant Professor Lauren Pierce served as initial conveners. The President’s Campus Climate Taskforce recommends administering the Skyfactor Campus Climate Survey every two years going forward and the development of actionable recommendations. Efficacy of HOWL (New Student Orientation): A fundamental question evolved at the end of the pandemic at Northern State University: Did attending an onboarding (orientation) experience matter? If so, how impactful is the HOWL experience? Working with Institutional Research, New Student Programs set out to gather data and consider both questions. Summer 2021 was the second year a Virtual HOWL experience was offered, which was first developed in the early part of the 2020 pandemic. In July 2020 and again in July 2021, students who were not progressing in Virtual HOWL, nor had attended an in-person HOWL, were encouraged to register for classes without an orientation experience. The impact of that decision was unknown until further analysis could be conducted. For summer 2021, all students were accurately coded between differing HOWL experiences (as called for in the 2020-21 Student Affairs Assessment Report; see item 9) so that better retention analysis could be conducted with the support of Institutional Research. What did we find? Of the first-time undergrad applicants who attended an in-person HOWL, completed a virtual HOWL, and registered for fall 2021 classes, 97 percent were still enrolled as of the fall 2021 census date compared to 88 percent who did not participate in any HOWL experience. Of the first-time undergrad applicants who attended an in-person HOWL, completed a virtual HOWL, and registered for fall
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