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University of South Dakota
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University of South Dakota - Diversity - Diversity - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.31

Diversity

C
Where does this grade come from?View all Diversity rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Diversity Grades:

Quick Stats

African American 2%
Asian American 1%
Hispanic 1%
International 0%
Native American 3%
White 85%
Unknown 8%
Historically Black College/University? No
Tribal College? No
Out-of-State Students 31%
Common States of Residence
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
Student Age Breakdown Under 18: 0%
18-19: 28%
20-21: 29%
22-24: 24%
25+: 19%
Female Faculty 48%
Male Faculty 52%
Faculty Diversity African American: 1%
Asian American: 8%
Hispanic: 3%
International: 1%
Native American: 2%
White: 85%
Unknown: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The statistics state the facts: USD’s diversity is minimal. But it’s not because the school and its students don’t welcome a diverse student and faculty population; rather, it’s because our location somewhat limits the school in attracting a number of ethnicities. In recent years, the University has taken a step forward by focusing on ways to attract different ethnicities to Vermillion. Several different departments have begun to focus on diversity and cultural issues, such as American Indian Studies. When thinking about diversity, one must also keep in mind that diversity isn’t just about ethnic differences, it’s about diverse personal preferences, too, both sexually and religiously. USD students welcome different sexual orientations, and a number of religions are represented on campus. The school paper, The Volante, covers the issue of diversity and racism well, and while the stats show low numbers, the issue is large.

Economic status is not really an issue on campus either. Besides at the Greek level, where money can become an issue, most students don’t consider money important. It is safe to say students at USD are open-minded on all the issues the word “diversity” can describe. Just because we don’t have the numbers doesn’t mean we don’t have levelheaded views or that we don’t care about the issue.

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South Dakota Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Diversity at University of South Dakota

CSF

Pre-Medicine Studies '16

3.5
B

Alot of Older Returning Students

I attend a off main campus learning center. It is comprised of mostly working adults returning to school or just starting college.There are a few young people just out of High School but as an older student I am very comfortable with the mix.

May 15, 2012

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Diversity at University of South Dakota

sjpellman

English Language Studies '15

3.8
B+

Acceptance of Diversity

There is a fairly good variety of people from different backgrounds. While the majority of students are white, there are few signs of discrimination or racial tension. One of the things I enjoy most about my school is the people and how accepting most are.

Apr 15, 2012

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Diversity at University of South Dakota

Sahatfield

Criminal Justice and Corrections '14

3.8
B+

Diversity on Campus

There is a wide array of diversity on the University of South Dakota campus. With many different ethnic groups that range from countries such as Africa, India, Asia, and Spain it is simple to say that ethnicity is not lacking. However, with such large amounts of transfer students, it is hard to keep focus on one particular group to figure out where the most help is needed. The mix in colors and religions have no consequence on how beneficial USD has been in my life on meeting new people, for that I am proud of my school.

Apr 09, 2012

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Page 1 of 5
User rating for University of South Dakota - Diversity is 3.5 out of 5 based on 15 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How diverse is the student body in the following areas?

How diverse is your personal circle of friends in the following areas?

How accepting is the campus community as a whole toward someone who falls into the minority (ethnic, sexual, or religious)?

How would you best describe your personal political beliefs?

How would you best describe the political beliefs of campus as a whole?

Facts

Gay Pride

With an estimated 10 percent of USD students claiming homosexual or bisexual preferences, USD is known in the area for being one of the most accepting schools around when it comes to different sexual preferences. Many students here who are gay stand proud, and USD’s 10% Society, the University’s chapter of the national GBLA, has been one of the most prominent organizations on campus in the past.

Political Activity

It would be safe to say that USD has almost an equal number of liberal and conservative students, both with organizations that proudly and prominently represent them. It may be because of our political science department, but USD students are some of the most active political voices in the state.

Economic Status

USD students come from a variety of economic backgrounds, but large majorities come from middle- to upper-middle-class families. Some students say a large number of the “rich kids” are involved in the Greek system. But, for the most part, money doesn’t seem to be a segregation issue with students on campus.

Most Common Religions

Most students come from Christian-based families, and a large number of the population remains religiously active on campus.

Minority Clubs on Campus

By looking at the numbers, it’s obvious diversity at USD is lacking. However, the few minority students here represent a large percent of overall student activity. In addition, USD students, maybe because the majority of us wish there was more diversity, are welcoming toward all students, and racism is almost nonexistent. In addition, USD recently created the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity to help promote diversity at USD, with hopes of attracting a larger number of different ethnicities.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Kerry Hacecky
Major
Journalism/Public Relations/English minor

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.