Tension at Dakota State University: A Graduation Day Showdown
College students in South Dakota contemplate a demonstration to challenge university recognitions bestowed upon Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem, amidst ongoing debates about her policies.
Small-Town Campus, Big ControversyMadison, SD - Dakota State University (DSU), settled in the heart of rural South Dakota, has thus far managed to sidestep the student demonstrations sweeping across American colleges. The majority of its nearly 4,000 students have kept their focus on academics or job hunting, maintaining a decided distance from politics and contentious groups.
However, a decision by the university administration to honor Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with an honorary doctorate and invite her to deliver the commencement speech on May 10 has brought politics right to campus.
Protesting Noem and the Trump AdministrationIn response, students have organized a rally on graduation day, voicing opposition to Noem and the Trump Administration. Their main grievances surround federal immigration policies that they contend pose a threat to their fellow students' legal status, as well as Noem's past actions against LGBTQ+ individuals during her time as governor.
Some Students Hesitate to Speak OutThe atmosphere on campus is palpably tense. Humanities instructor Daniel Spencer remarks, "Students are afraid of expressing their opinions." DSU students in its prestigious cybersecurity program have traditionally been wary of taking political stances due to concerns about potential backlash when seeking government and private sector jobs.
The location of DSU in Madison, a small town around an hour's drive northwest of Sioux Falls, also plays a role. As Professor Emeritus Dale Droge notes, "We have a reluctance to confront authority in our students from rural South Dakota."
International Students Wrestle with ParticipationAmong DSU students, hundreds of international attendees are weighing their options on involvement, given the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's recent actions that have affected over 1,000 international students.
Noem's Support for DSUDSU deemed Noem an "unwavering champion" of the university, citing her support for its cybersecurity initiatives and funding efforts. Despite faculty opposition to the honorary degree, Noem was nominated by DSU President José-Marie Griffiths.
Fear of Speaking OutWhile students and faculty are apprehensive about voicing their opinions publicly, some allege that the administration discourages them from speaking with media and joining student rallies. Fears of reprisal from the administration are widespread, especially among international students, with some speaking to the press on the condition of anonymity.
Call to Action: "No Honor for Noem"Tyler Sprik, a freshman student senator, shares the students' sentiment: "The students' attitude is clear. No honor for Noem. Give commencement back to the graduates and listen to us."
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A Brief Look at Campus Activism at Dakota State University
While information about specific past student protests at Dakota State University (DSU) is limited, college campuses nationwide typically engage in activism surrounding issues such as social justice, political policies, and university decisions. The current debate over the involvement of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlights a significant point of contention.
The Controversy surrounding Kristi Noem
The present issue revolves around DSU's decision to grant an honorary doctorate to Kristi Noem and invite her to speak at the commencement ceremony. A petition has been launched to revoke the honorary degree and Noem's speaking invitation, citing her controversial actions as Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security, which have resulted in harm to various communities like Indigenous tribes, the working class, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants. Critics argue that Noem's policies have undermined democratic values and freedoms, creating a constitutional crisis.
Petitions and Student ConcernsThe petition reflects broader concerns held by students and the wider community about Noem's record. Key issues include human rights violations, attacks on democratic principles, and divisive policies that run counter to the values a university should promote. This situation has the potential to galvanize students and other stakeholders to protest or engage in activism to voice their opposition to Noem's role in DSU's commencement.
At this time, no specific details are available about organized protests or demonstrations at DSU directly related to this issue. But with the strength of sentiment expressed in the petition, there is a possibility of campus activism centered around this event.
- The political climate at Dakota State University (DSU) has become tense after the university's decision to honor Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with an honorary doctorate and invite her to give the commencement speech.
- Students at DSU have organized a rally on graduation day to express their opposition to Noem and her administration's policies, particularly those affecting immigration and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- The fear of voicing opinions publicly is apparent among students and faculty at DSU, with some international students even considering avoiding involvement due to concerns about reprisals from the administration.
- The decision to honor Noem has been met with faculty opposition, with some questioning the university's principles and its desire to jeopardize education and self-development by involving themselves in general news and politics.
- DSU has described Noem as an "unwavering champion" of the university, citing her support for cybersecurity initiatives and funding efforts. However, this has done little to quell the student-led pushback against her involvement in the commencement.
- Regardless of their stance, some students and faculty at DSU have reported feeling discouraged from speaking with media or joining student rallies, due to what they perceive as pressure from the administration.
- With growing concerns about Noem's controversial actions, a petition has been launched to revoke the honorary degree and Noem's speaking invitation at the commencement, drawing attention to her record on human rights violations, attacks on democratic principles, and divisive policies that run counter to the values a university should promote.
