South Dakota State University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Residential Life has several Living Learning Communities that focus on underrepresented populations. These Communities include, Oyate Yuwitaya Tipi [“The Tribes/Peoples Live Together”], a community designed around American Indian and Native American identities/history/culture, and Jump Start, a community connected to the South Dakota Jump Start program which is a program for Native American and/or Pell eligible students from South Dakota. http://www.sdstate.edu/reslife/llcs/index.cfm The Multicultural Center offers many programs to advance underrepresented groups. These programs include academic advising, tutoring, and peer mentoring. The Minority Peer Mentor Program is intended to help undergraduate ethnic minority students make a successful academic and social transition to life at South Dakota State University and the Brookings community. The program is designed to support the students’ academic progress and social adjustment to the SDSU environment by utilizing university offices, departments, faculty/staff, programs and student organizations to provide assistance, encouragement and practical experiences. http://www.sdstate.edu/campus/multicultural/index.cfm The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program provides one hundred and sixty low income, first generation, and students with disabilities opportunities for academic development, assistance with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students towards the successful completion of their postsecondary education. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and facilitate the process of creating academically successful students. TRiO also provides peer mentors. http://www.sdstate.edu/trio/index.cfm The American Indian Education and Cultural Center offers math and English tutoring. The Director and two graduate assistants offer informal mentoring and peer support as needed. The two student organizations housed under the AIECC also provides the opportunity for students to provide peer support to one another. http://www.sdstate.edu/aiecc/ The following are programs offered to veterans by the Veteran Resource Center: Workshops are offered for Veteran and military affiliated students/community members: 1. 2 Deployment Preparation Workshops 2. Bi-monthly Veterans Writing Group from Fall 14-Spring 15 3. Women’s Wellness Series: Called to Serve (6 workshops) 4. Two Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and State Tuition Assistance (STA) Workshops per semester 5. Presented and assisted with planning SDCMF Symposium September 2014. South Dakota Coalition of Military Families Programs offered at SDSU to military affiliated students and community members: 1. Monthly Combat Support Group led by the Vet Center 2. Coordinated weekly tutoring sessions where Veterans are tutoring Veterans. 3. Monthly Warrior Wellness Events 4. Suicide and Stress Management presentations 5. Hero2Hired Presentations and Mock Interviews (2) 6. Resume and Career Building Workshops (2) 7. Paws for Vets 8. Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army and National Guard branch birthdays celebrations 9. Veteran Service Office monthly meeting 10. Job Service Representative monthly 11. Veteran Service Office monthly visits 12. Women’s Historical Uniform Exhibit 3/23-3/27 13. Movie Nights (2) 14. Game Nights (2) 15. Superbowl Party 16. Welcome Back Open House each semester 17. Orientation presentations http://www.sdstate.edu/campus/veteransaffairs/resource-center.cfm

The South Dakota State University Policy and Procedure Manual number 4:6 states that “all inquiries, allegations, reports, or complaints relating to discriminatory conduct, harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking will be forwarded to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator for response or investigation” (p. 5). This policy covers staff, faculty, students, and visitors. Any person witnessing or involved directly in any of the aforementioned behaviors may inquire or make a report. Inquiries, reports, and complaints can be made directly to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator, through an indirect report (faculty, staff), or via the anonymous online report portal. Once a report is made, the University will make every effort to stop the behavior, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects. Full information on the process followed can be found on the SDSU Title IX webpage. http://www.sdstate.edu/hr/equal-opportunity/titleix.cfm Once a report is made, the Title IX/EEO Coordinator will meet with the complainant (victim) and discuss the need for interim measures, if needed, such as a mutual no contact order or making changes to housing, parking, or class schedules, or counseling services. The Title IX/EEO Advisory Committee meets quarterly to examine, review, and assess the overall Title IX/EEO compliance program, structure and training initiatives. SDSU has a mandatory Title IX and Equal Opportunity compliance training for all employees.