Regents recognize USD student groups

Student-led organizations at The University of South Dakota were recognized by the South Dakota Board of Regents Oct. 21 for academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

USD Assistant Vice President of Student Services Terisa Remelius presented the organizations to the board.

"In a time of exceptional growth at The University of South Dakota, the student organizations�honored today still stand head and shoulders�above others in their contributions�to�our community," she said. "These young people have an�amazing commitment to serve others and an extraordinary dedication to their own personal and academic development, and it is a pleasure to work with them each day."

The USD campus groups receiving regents' recognition are:

? Award for Academic Excellence � USD's National Association for Music Education, MENC, has made considerable contributions to the academic environment of USD.�A Collegiate MENC Day was created with education sessions that included musical adaptations for special needs children, vocal health for teachers, and leadership mentoring.�The group also instituted a new music theory tutoring program to tutor underclassmen in music theory.�MENC improves the academic environment at USD and reaches beyond the university by hosting the Collegiate MENC Day and an instrumental reading session during the High School Honor Band Festival.�MENC's commitment to academic excellence makes it a model to follow for other student organizations.

? Community Service Award � Amnesty International launched a campaign to increase human rights awareness on the USD campus.�The organization declared this academic year to be the "Year of the Woman" and partnered with the Vermillion Coalition against Domestic Violence.�Rape whistles were distributed to the USD and SDSU campuses and to several high schools around the state.�The group also sponsored two self-defense classes and co-sponsored a Day of Silence with The 10% Society to draw attention to the silencing of victims of discrimination throughout the world.�

? Award for Organizational Leadership � The Political Science League has successfully organized and marketed numerous campus and community activities this year. The organization promoted a sense of cooperation and collaboration through co-sponsorships with other organizations to host events such as a Town Hall Forum on U.S. Islamic Relations, a debate between the College Republicans and the College Democrats, a forum on gay rights, and founded a subsidiary organization called Voices of Today ? Engaged (VOTE) to explain the importance of voting. A successful campaign called Orange was also created by the group to promote dialogue on current issues.��