During the spring 2021 semester, there will be a number of COVID-19 testing opportunities available in the Dickinson area and on the Dickinson State University (DSU) campus.
The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) recently awarded Dickinson State University’s (DSU) Disability Services Specialist and Director of the Student Opportunity and Resource Center, Kayla Noah, the Region 6 Excellence in Advising – Advisor Primary Role Award.
NACADA is an association of professional advisors, counselors, faculty, administrators, and students working to enhance the educational development of students. Recognizing that effective academic advising is at the core of student success, NACADA is one of the premier global associations for the development and dissemination of innovative theory, research, and practice of academic advising in higher education.
Dr. Holly Gruhlke, Dean of the College of Business, Education and Applied Sciences, was one of several DSU employees who nominated Noah for this prestigious award. In her letter of support, Gruhlke wrote, “Kayla has created a successful professional advising model. This model has been employed and expanded by some of the largest academic departments at Dickinson State University.”
The University’s professional advising model was identified by NACADA as a critical factor in improving student success and retention. Noah championed the program’s development by reaching out to each academic department to discuss the innovative model.
Professional advising focuses on critical elements such as advisor consistency, reliability, responsiveness and personal touch. After the first year of implementation of the professional advising model, student retention improved significantly.
“Kayla has committed herself to excellence and learning. She has identified areas where our University practices could be strengthened and uses her knowledge and passion to help others succeed,” said Marie Moe, vice president of student affairs and university relations at DSU. “She is a problem solver and innovator. In addition to supporting the University’s goals, the work Kayla does each day is making a difference in the lives of the students she serves. She goes beyond the duties of the position and invests her personal time and energy into the well-being and success of her advisees.”
Gruhlke noted that, “Dickinson State University prides itself on being a small university ‘where everyone knows your name,’ and this is an important focus for Kayla. I know of very few students that have not been positively impacted by Kayla or the team she leads in professional advising. She has created a student-centered culture that has spread well beyond the Academic Success Center.”
Noah will be recognized for her achievement at the upcoming NACADA Region 6 Conference in April 2021.
DICKINSON, N.D. (Nov. 17, 2020) – On Friday, Nov. 13, Governor Burgum, along with the North Dakota State Department of Health, issued executive orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 by limiting transmissible moments and in person contact.
The Dickinson State University (DSU) President’s Cabinet met Monday, Nov. 16, and adopted the measures, which include a State Health Officer order requiring that face coverings be worn in indoor businesses and indoor public settings as well as outdoor public settings where physical distancing isn’t possible.
After considering the state’s executive orders and the current level of community spread in Stark County, the DSU President’s Cabinet voted to implement its plan for “Red Status: High Community Spread.” In red status, DSU will temporarily shift to primarily remote campus operations for the final three weeks of the fall semester. The majority of classes will pivot to remote delivery beginning Monday, Nov. 23. The University plans to return to in-person operations for the spring semester beginning Jan. 11.
“As we promised our students at the beginning of this unusual semester, we maintained in-person, face-to-face operations for as long as possible,” said DSU President Steve Easton. “Though our students did not have exactly the same experience they usually have at Dickinson State, their experience is a lot closer to ‘normal’ than those at other colleges and universities as we had concerts, theater productions, nine football games (all of which our Hawks won!), a three-day rodeo, volleyball and basketball games, movie nights, s’mores cookouts, and other events for students.”
But rising community and DSU rates of positive tests, as well as pressure on the health care system, necessitated the temporary move away from face-to-face instruction. “We hated to make this move, because our students and employees have made a tremendous effort in social distancing and wearing masks to protect one another,” said President Easton. “We hope to slow the spread of COVID-19 by moving the University to red status and thereby limiting in-person interaction. But we will continue to offer instruction and support to students for the remainder of the semester. We look forward to welcoming them back in the spring.”
As part of its plan for the current academic year, DSU identified three risk levels related to rates of community spread. These risk levels outline strategies for the University’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan also identified factors the President’s Cabinet has reviewed to determine whether to adjust from one risk level to another. These factors are:
On Monday, the President’s Cabinet met and moved DSU’s risk level from “orange” to “red.” The University’s adaptive strategies and responses under “Red Status: High Community Spread” include:
| General Operations: | 1. Campus will shift to primarily remote operations. 2. Essential personnel will work on campus. Supervisors may require or allow their employees to work on campus. 3. Campus buildings will be closed to the public. |
| Instruction Modality: | 1. The majority of classes will move to remote delivery. 2. Instructors of courses that have components that cannot be delivered remotely should coordinate with the VPAA to determine how the course requirements can be met and if in-person instruction with adjustments can be made. There might be opportunities for in-person small group instruction. 3. Faculty will have academic freedom over course content and requirements. 4. Faculty will have their choice of video technology, such as Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or others. If a platform is supported by DSU, like Blackboard, DSU will make available accommodations for disabilities, like closed captions, along with the support of the faculty member and disabilities services. If the platform is not supported by DSU, then the faculty member, still working with disability services, will need to make the appropriate accommodations. |
| Common Spaces: | 1. The library and computer labs will remain accessible for student use, but may have altered hours. 2. Residence Halls will remain open. 3. The Perch dining hall will offer limited dining options. |
| Extracurricular Activities, Meetings and Events: | 1. To the extent possible, DSU intercollegiate athletics will follow guidance and directives from the NAIA, the North Star Athletic Association, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, the National Association of Collegiate Esports, and the governing bodies of other extracurricular activities. 2. DSU sponsored extracurricular events, activities, and practices will be permitted consistent with arrangements made with Southwestern District Health Unit. 3. Small group, in person recruiting activities may be held. |
| Priorities in Red: | 1. Continue to offer educational and support services to students via remote interaction. 2. Reduce the risk of further community spread by discontinuing or limiting in-person interactions. |
“As we finish the fall semester, faculty will continue to offer educational instruction to students, primarily via technology, although some classes may meet in small groups,” said Dr. Debora Dragseth, DSU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “These temporary measures are intended to support our community and slow the spread. We believe these measures will provide the best path forward for our University to return to the delivery of face-to-face instruction for the spring semester.”
Faculty who believe it is important to continue to allow a face-to-face option for the remainder of the semester in selected courses will be allowed to work with the Vice President of Academic Affairs to pursue this option. Classes that will continue to have a face-to-face option for the remainder of the semester will also be offered remotely, and students who attend remotely will suffer no adverse consequences for doing so. Dr. Dragseth emphasized, “Teaching and learning will continue to the end of the semester. This is not an end to our classes. Instead, it is simply a temporary shift to a different mode of delivery in most classes.”
“Considering the current spread of COVID-19 in the community and state, we believe it is in the best interest of all to limit the number of transmissible moments,” said Marie Moe, DSU vice president of student affairs and university relations. “We are taking proactive measures to close the campus to public access. We will continue to have our residence halls, dining hall, Stoxen Library and computer labs open and accessible for students. At this time, we anticipate athletic practices and competitions will continue as planned. For those who intend to finish the semester remotely, or plan to travel for Thanksgiving, we are encouraging them to test and have a negative test result before they leave campus.”
DSU, in conjunction with Southwestern District Health Unit, will host a free community COVID-19 testing event Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8 – 11 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom on DSU’s campus.
The DSU campus and Dickinson communities are also encouraged to attend free testing events following the Thanksgiving holiday. These events will be held at the old True Value/Whiting building north of Runnings (528 21st St. W) in Dickinson. They include:
• Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 8-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 8-11 a.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, from 7-10 a.m.
“As a student I am very grateful that DSU has made every effort to make it to this point in the semester with classes being available face-to-face as well as remotely,” said Abigail Moberg, DSU student senate president. “I, along with many of my classmates, enjoy being able to have interactions in the classroom, however, as an employee at our local hospital, I appreciate the decisions being made by the University’s Cabinet. I believe this move is in the best interest of not only our students and their families, but also our faculty, staff, and community members.”
A campus-wide open forum will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 3:30 p.m. to address questions related to these temporary measures. Distance participation information will be provided to the campus community in an email later this afternoon.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, marked the fourth week official census for the Dickinson State University (DSU) campus community. The number of full-time enrolled students increased 4% at 967 up from last year’s total of 929. The full-time equivalency (FTE) of credit hours taken also increased 5%, from 1,093.45 to 1,147.13.
At its monthly meeting May 29, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) approved Dickinson State University’s (DSU) request to adopt a simplified tuition rate structure for undergraduate credits.
This press release has been updated to reflect a decision made by DSU Cabinet Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Dickinson State University Cabinet approved up to a 30% refund of the housing fees that residential students paid for the spring 2020 semester. This is in addition to the housing waiver and dining refund announced yesterday.
Dickinson State University (DSU) announced a process for providing support to students who were living in campus housing and are now making alternative living arrangements due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Dickinson State University (DSU) announced Tuesday a process for providing support to students who were living in campus housing and are now making alternative living arrangements due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
This press release has been updated to reflect a decision made by DSU Cabinet Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Dickinson State University Cabinet approved up to a 30% refund of the housing fees that residential students paid for the spring 2020 semester. This is in addition to the housing waiver and dining refund announced yesterday.
Dickinson State University (DSU) announced a process for providing support to students who were living in campus housing and are now making alternative living arrangements due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Good evening,
This evening, Governor Burgum announced that by executive order, all public and private K-12 schools will be closed March 16-20.
We understand that this has a significant impact on our employees and we encourage those who are impacted by this action to contact their supervisor regarding opportunities to work remotely or utilize family leave.
Dear Colleagues:
As you have undoubtedly heard, yesterday the cabinet considered DSU’s options in the current pandemic circumstances. Several of you provided input. Thank you for this input, as it helped us to reach the best possible plan (with the understanding that no plan is perfect and that there are certainly legitimate areas of disagreement with our plan). Cabinet approved the following plan for implementation.
