Category: News
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Gender, sexuality and women’s studies joins list of minors
A new gender, sexuality and women’s studies minor will join the registrar’s list this fall that will give students an opportunity to learn more about the history, culture, perspectives and intersectionality of historically marginalized groups. The curriculum council unanimously approved the new minor on April 5. Sociology professor Spencier Ciaralli will act as the minor’s…
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IPO plans to purchase van for student transport
The International Programs Office is set to purchase a 12-passenger van to use for group events and orientation transport by June 2023. The IPO received approval from the provost’s office but is still awaiting confirmation from the business office. The estimated $70,000 van purchase will be funded by the IPO and the Augustana Student Association.…
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Boe Forum speaker encourages sustainability
The former prime minister of Norway emphasized the importance of environmentalism and humanitarianism at the annual Boe Forum on Public Affairs on Tuesday, March 14. Gro Harlem Brundtland served three terms as Norway’s first female prime minister from 1981 until 1996. She also served as Director General for the World Health Organization from 1998 until…
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ASA returns UBG’s funding to pre-pandemic amount
The Augustana Student Association restored the Union Board of Governors’ annual budget allocation to 35% of ASA’s total annual allocation after decreasing their budget during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senators unanimously voted to restore the funding at the Feb. 19 ASA meeting. The amendment to ASA’s by-laws increased UBG’s budget for each semester from 25% or…
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Snow brings more campus cancellations and higher costs than previous years
Since December, South Dakota has witnessed a series of major winter storms that have dumped feet of snow across the state. Sioux Falls has received more than 44 inches of snow so far, making for costly campus maintenance and cleanup. “The dollars spent this year to date are about double what we have in our…
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Augustana launches fintech program
Starting in fall 2023, the undergraduate catalog will include a new major: financial technology. Nicknamed fintech, the major will incorporate a number of different courses that pair with new technologies, like data analytics, computer science, business and accounting. Glen Herrick, chief financial officer at Pathward, the new program’s donor company, presented financial technology to Augustana.…
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Retention pond name vetoed
The name “Aug Bog” won a student poll for the naming of Augustana’s retention pond on the southeast side of campus. However, administrators have vetoed this name and are pursuing other methods for naming the pond. According to President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, low voting participation by the campus community and perceived negative connotations behind the…
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Enrollment projection drops
As of March 3, 2023, only 261 students were enrolled to attend Augustana University next fall as incoming freshmen, down from the same time last year when over 300 students were enrolled. While final enrollment numbers for the 2023-2024 academic year are still months away, 553 students was this year’s total, registrar Joni Krueger said…
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Dean, pastor take professional development leave for the semester
Mark Blackburn, the dean of students, and Pastor Ann Rosendale, the campus pastor, are both on professional development leave for the spring semester. While Blackburn’s leave was approved just a few days before the beginning of the semester, Rosendale was able to plan her leave further in advance. Blackburn and Rosendale’s departures were announced to…
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Interim provost to take position in summer after current provost leaves
Colin Irvine will leave his position as provost to become the president of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, this summer; professor Joel Johnson has been named acting provost in Irvine’s absence. Irvine has served as provost since 2018. During that time, he oversaw both student and academic affairs and ensured the two were in line…