Students in South Dakota consider staging a protest against the university's decision to honor Colorado Governor Noem, who serves as Homeland Security chief, with an award.
Controversial Protest Erupts at Dakota State University
Amidst the tranquility of rural South Dakota, Dakota State University has become a hotbed of unrest. The usual whirl of academic pursuits and job hunting has been disrupted, as students have planned a rally for graduation day to voice their displeasure with the university administration.
This upheaval began when the university opted to honor Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with an honorary doctorate and invite her to give the commencement speech on May 10. A decision that has broughtpolitics squarely onto campus and incited protests by students.
These demonstrations are primarily a response to Noem's association with the Trump administration and the implementing of controversial immigration policies, which have alarmed students who are concerned about their own legal status[1]. Additionally, her actions during her term as South Dakota governor, particularly those targeting the LGBTQ+ community, have fueled their ire.
Some students and faculty have raised concerns about the suitability of such a high honor being bestowed upon Noem, given her controversial record[1]. However, in a divided climate, many students are unsure whether to join the dissent or remain silent to avoid the repercussions experienced by students at more vocal colleges.
"The atmosphere is tense," remarks humanities instructor Daniel Spencer, "students are scared to use their voices."
Students in the renowned cybersecurity program, known for their reluctance to take political stands, are particularly wary. Their apprehension is compounded by the school's location in Madison, a small town about an hour's drive northwest of Sioux Falls. Many students here come from rural South Dakota, and there's a resistance to confronting authority[2].
Hundreds of international students attending Dakota State are caught in a quandary, weighing their options carefully. They have so far evaded the impact of recent Homeland Security actions, but the fear lingers.
"I have international students coming to me from outside the senate, across campus, who expressed to me that they don't want to get involved in any of this because they have fears of getting their visas revoked," said Anden Wieseler, a Dakota State junior and student senate vice president.
Noem's Support for the University
The decision to honor Noem is attributed to her unwavering support for Dakota State during her term as governor[3]. She championed the school's cybersecurity initiatives and helped secure millions of dollars in funding, solidifying its status as a national cybersecurity leader.
Noem, a South Dakota State University alumna with a political science degree, was invited to share her insights and remarks with DSU's graduates based on her distinguished career in public service[3]. Her office, however, did not respond to a request for comment.
University President José-Marie Griffiths put forth Noem's nomination for the honorary doctorate, though the university declined to disclose the details of the offer. The general faculty and student senate opposed the nomination, with only one student senator in favor[3].
Fear of Speaking Out
"There's a fear among a lot of the international student body about speaking on this matter, a result of the current political climate," explains freshman student senator, Tyler Sprik. "That's part of the reason me and several other senators have become so involved—it's because a lot of our colleagues can't."
Faculty members also express apprehension about public expression. Some allege the administration discourages them from speaking to media and joining student rallies, citing President Trump's increased scrutiny on higher education as their reason for caution[2]. Others fear reprisals from the administration and prefer to remain anonymous when speaking to media.
The administration maintains that faculty members are welcome to speak with media, but South Dakota faculty possess fewer protections than in other states due to a 2020 state law outlawing faculty unions at public colleges[2].
Some faculty members also question whether a high-profile figure at commencement might overshadow the graduates[4].
"The biggest chatter I've heard from students and other faculty is first and foremost concern that there will be a disruption to the commencement, which we all feel is so important to the students that are there," says computer science professor Stephen Krebsbach.
Despite this, students are preparing for the rally. "The students' attitude is clear," says Sprik, "No honor for Noem. Give commencement back to the graduates and listen to us."
Raza writes for the Associated Press.
More to Read:
- Trump offers advice to University of Alabama graduates in speech interspersed with politics
- California international students on alert as Trump ramps up arrests of pro-Palestinian activists
- Voices - Trump's antisemitism executive order mistakes dissent for bigotry
[1] Enrichment Data: Overall[2] Enrichment Data: Location and Student Concerns[3] Enrichment Data: Noem's Support for the School[4] Enrichment Data: Prioritizing the Graduates
- The controversy at Dakota State University, a small institution in rural South Dakota, has stretched beyond its academic pursuits, reaching the realms of immigration, politics, and general news.
- The city of Los Angeles, home to UCLA and USC, has been an active participant in the ongoing national debate about immigration, echoing concerns faced by students at Dakota State.
- Students and faculty in educational and self-development institutions across California have watched with growing apprehension as the government has imposed stricient immigration laws.
- The fear of speaking out against controversial government policies extends beyond Dakota State University, raising concerns in the realm of science and academia across the nation.
- The California government has been particularly attentive to the plight of international students, recognizing the potential impact of immigration policies on the state's educational institutions.
- The topic of immigration has become a hot button issue in politics, stirring up dissent among students and faculty in education and self-development institutions alike.
- In the face of increasing government scrutiny and potential changes in immigration laws, education institutions in California have been striving to provide support and assurance to their international students.
