University of South Dakota
Reviews

Public Transit

Vermillion only has a public transit system for those who do not have a car. The cost is generally $2.50 and they have a student discount for year round pass. Not many students use the bus during the day, but there is a late-night party transit for students coming back from the bars and who are unable to drive. The only real problem is the transit's hours of operation which is a huge inconvenience on the weekends.

Helpful Information

It is nice that USD sends out text messages and emails about possible threats to their students.

USD Drug Scene

Drinking is popular, but other drugs don't appear to be much of an issue.

USD Greek Life

Although I'm not familiar with the greek life on campus, it would seem that many students are involved. Also, I get the impression that the students are generally satisfied with the greek life offered at USD.

The heat index at 120 degrees in...

The heat index at 120 degrees in July will make you want to melt. One summer, we took turns sitting in each other’s cars because the air conditioner in our house couldn’t keep up during the day.

I really like the fact that most...

I really like the fact that most teachers check their e-mail several times a day, and it’s a convenient way to communicate with most of them. They also let you e-mail them assignments and post notes and PowerPoint presentations online. Most of my classes are using WebCT, and I enjoy the group message boards and private class e-mails through the system. Plus, if you join the Honors Program, you get a Palm Pocket PC. I love my Palm. I use it as my agenda book, and it comes in handy, but professors aren’t using it in classes like they are supposed to be doing.

USD Weather

As a Northern State, South Dakota gets plenty of snow. Classes are rarely cancelled, but this should be expected where snow is typical.

Vermillion gets tons of storms in...

Vermillion gets tons of storms in the summer.

What do you mean? There are people...

What do you mean? There are people here who aren’t white?

Guys and Girls

The guys and girls on campus seem to be pretty average.

Buildings

Wow is all I can say to all the new buildings. I wish I was a business major-what a spectacular building they have. Also the new student union is excellent. I can't wait to live in Coyote Village and the new Wellness Center will be done next Spring....it's a great time to be a Coyote!

Labs Are Always Crowded

The computers here are USD are great! However, the labs can get pretty crowded. There is a lab that is available for athletes only during most of the day and into the night, and the other computer lab is full before you know it. It is usually hard for me to find a computer to use. The WiFi is great, so I usually bring mine, but I can't print from mine. The print is pretty good (if you can get a computer).

Variety

The off-campus dining is pretty great here! There is a lot of variety to choose from. Almost all places are very affordable, and the all have great food. The quality is outstanding! I usually leave with a doggy bag because I cant eat everything the give me! The best place to eat would be Cafe Brule. Affordable, great food, amazing overall!

Terrbile Parking

The parking here at the university is terrible. There is not enough parking, and it not convenient once-so-ever. Freshman are not the only ones who get the bad parking, but it is everyone.

Skip the Parties and Drinking

Well, I am not very familiar with the bars and party places here are USD. However, my friends and I have a lot of underage fun! We get together and have clean parties of our own. We usually play just dance of watch movies. If we feel like going out, we will just walk the town. We also love to go bowling (sometimes we make too much of a competition out of it! but nonetheless, it is fun!)

Midwest Weather

It's cold in the winter, warm in the summer. I love it.

Everyone Fits

USD has a wide variety of students. There are the hipsters, punks, athletes, geeks, Christians, atheists, Greeks, rappers, rockers. EVERYONE has a place here. Plus, people have the Midwest niceness to them. It is a friendly and open place that you will fit right in.

LOVE

USD is a great college. This is the third college I have attended and it has been far my favorite. The theatre department is wonderful. The professors truly care and take great interest in the students. I know I am getting a first class education.

Four Seasons

The University of South Dakota is in the midwest, so all four seasons show up. There is a lot of snow in the winter, and it gets fairly warm. The sidewalks are usually shoveled off, so getting to class isn't too bad. However, if you want to drive, you have to know how to drive in the snow because the roads don't get plowed very often.

Be Prepared to Walk

Public transportation is very minimal in Vermillion. It isn't a very big town so you would have to walk very far to get anywhere, but it is best to have a car if you plan on making a lot of trips to Wal-Mart.

Fast Food

Around campus is full of Fast food restaurants with a small selection of sit down restaurants. Some places take campus money from our ID cards but not many fast food places do. They are relatively cheap.

Unique Things

I love the wellness center, although students pay a really high fee for using it. I love the zumba classes offered. There are great study abroad opportunities.

Parking SITUATION

Parking permits are ridiculous. Over $100 and way up from last year. Parking on campus with a permit is okay IF you can find a spot. I'm terrified for next year though. Even if I live half a mile away from campus I'll probably just walk to class before trying to park near campus without a permit.

Satisfactory

Campus dining is satisfactory. There enough choices to have healthy options, a pretty good variety, but it's ridiculously expensive. If I was not REQUIRED to purchase a meal plan I WOULD NOT eat meals on campus.

USD Technology

The technology (internet access and speed, printing labs) is excellent at the University of South Dakota. The internet is easily accessed at any time and is fast and there are multiple printing labs around campus.