USD students may have to wait longer than expected to see the completion of the Muenster University Center. Kraus-Anderson Construction, the company contracted to build the new student center, has submitted a request for an extension of the original completion deadline to the South Dakota Office of the State Engineer, according to state Project Engineer Gordon Hollenbeck.… 10 Comments

Despite multiple commercial projects going up all over Vermillion, city officials are mixed about whether or not 2008 will be an up year for commercial growth. Those anticipating significant growth attribute the university's move to Division I athletics as a major factor.… Post the First Comment

As the battle for delegates plays out nationwide in the Democratic Party, USD students are doing their part to see their preferred candidate win. Sophomore Marque Snow has been actively donating and organizing for Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign and senior Brittney Neiles has been working to round up supporters for Sen.… Post the First Comment

The Volante staff voted for the top ten news stories of the past year and the following stories won: 10. The student center construction project: The naming and construction of the Muenster University Center made headlines throughout the school year. 9. Hyperion: A proposed oil refinery that would be built only 10 miles from Vermillion has split students and faculty on both sides of the issue.… 7 Comments

Alpha Xi Delta member senior Becky Kjellson represented South Dakota's Greek life in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago to advocate tax breaks for non-profit housing improvement donations in the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act. Kjellson raced to and from offices of senators and representatives to share her message of the importance for housing safety for Greeks and other non-profit organizations.… Post the First Comment

Dean Michael Keller hopes crews will break ground for the new Walter A. Buhler Hall business school before May is over. "I view starting when they take the first shovel of dirt," Keller said. "The first guy that goes out there with a machine and scoops up a bucket of dirt, I'm going to be claiming that's the start date.… Post the First Comment

The Newman Center chapel will soon be added to the list of building renovations taking place at USD. Father Joe Forcelle said a committee began looking into what is needed for chapel renovations in January and hopes to start fundraising for the project next spring.… Post the First Comment

Multiple points of view were presented in a panel discussion on the war in Iraq last Wednesday in Patterson Hall as part of Political Science League's annual spring forum. PSL treasurer Liz Lias said the event went well and said it was an important opportunity for students.… Post the First Comment

A Sioux Falls judge has ordered the University of South Dakota Foundation and the family of a business school donor to attempt to negotiate a resolution to the naming rights to the school and its new building before proceeding with a lawsuit in federal court.… Post the First Comment

Junior Scott Erickson has never gardened before, nor does he claim to know how to cook, but he picked up free pepper, watermelon, tomato and lettuce seeds and plans to get his hands in the soil to give gardening a go. Erickson is spending the summer in Vermillion and decided to lease a community gardening plot downtown on Washington Street.… Post the First Comment

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A federal appeals court has refused to reinstate a lawsuit that sought to strike down a law denying federal financial aid to college students convicted of drug offenses. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of an organization representing students who lost eligibility for college loans, argued the law violates the constitutional ban on double jeopardy because it subjects students to a second criminal punishment after they have already served a court-imposed sentence.… Post the First Comment

Sweeping changes were discussed at last night's Student Government Association meeting. SGA considered a resolution to encourage USD to ban smoking on campus. Barb Goodman, the smoke-free monitor of the Tobacco Free Task Force spoke to the senate about the task force's recommendations to the Policy Advisory Council.… 6 Comments

April 22 1. Police investigated a report of kids throwing rocks at vehicles at a bus stop on the 1100 block of east Clark Street. There were no charges. April 23 2. A 43-year-old male was cited for DWI on west Cherry Street. 3. Police investigated the report of an intoxicated male knocking on doors on the 200 block of south Yale Street.… Post the First Comment