Madison, SD – Dakota State University has not experienced student protests that take place in other American universities. Located in the rural areas of southern Dakota, most of the almost 4,000 students have focused on their studies or jobs, avoiding politics and partisan groups.
Until now.
The university administration decided to grant an honorary doctorate to the Secretary of National Security Kristi Noem and invited her to start a speech on May 10, bringing the policy to the campus.
In response, students have planned a manifestation on the day of graduation that opposes the former Governor of Dakota del Sur and the Trump administration and expect the protesters from all over the southeast of South Dakota to join them.
They want to speak against the immigration policies of the federal government, which are being implemented with the supervision of Noem, on behalf of their colleagues who fear their legal status. Noem’s Anti-LGBT actions are also expected to protest during his time as governor.
Some students and teachers also said they thought that the honorary title was an honor too high to grant him.
Among DSU students, many are not sure whether they should join objections or remain silent to avoid the type of punishment suffered by students in more open universities.
“The atmosphere is tense,” said Humanities Instructor Daniel Spencer. “Students are afraid to make their voice heard.”
Students studying in their renowned cybersecurity program have traditionally hesitated to take political positions because they fear potential recoil when they then look for jobs in the government and the private sector.
DSU’s location in Madison, a small city at about an hour by car northwest of Sioux Falls, is also a factor.
“Many of our students are from Dakota del Sur rural, and there is a little lack of will to face authority,” said Professor Emeritus Dale Droge. “We do not have many students in the political sciences or history where they could be thinking about these more civil rights actions.”
Hundreds of international students attending DSU and have not yet been affected by the recent DHS actions are weighing their participation options. The agency had finished the legal status of More than 1,000 international students Before reversing the course and describe a new policy for those endings.
“I have international students who come to me from outside the Senate, throughout the campus, who told me that they do not want to get involved in any of this because they have fears of revoking their visas,” said Anden Wieser, vice president of Junior Senate and DSU student.
DSU selected Noem because he was an “unwavering champion of the state of Dakota” during his time as governor, said University spokesman Andrew Sogn, in a written statement to Associated Press.
Noem supported the cybersecurity initiatives of the university and helped ensure millions of dollars in funds, consolidating the position of the school as a national cybersecurity leader, Sogn said.
“He was asked to share comments with DSU graduates based on his distinguished and innovative career in public service, and his many efforts to support citizens of the state of Dakota del Sur and La Nación,” said Sogn.
Noem’s office did not respond to a request for comments.
The president of DSU, José-Marie Griffiths, nominated Noem to receive an honorary doctorate, although the university refused to provide details of the offer. The General Faculty and the Student Senate voted against the nomination, with only one of the 15 senators voting in favor of the nomination, Wiesler said.
“There is a fear among many of the international student body when talking about this matter, only the result of the current political climate,” said Tyler Sprik, first -year student and student senator. “That is part of the reason why I and several other senators have involved ourselves so much, because many of our colleagues cannot.”
Faculty members are also worried about sharing their opinions publicly. Some said the administration discouraged them to talk to the media and join the students’ demonstrations. Some cited President Donald Trump’s The scrutiny of higher education increased as a reason for caution.
Other students said they feared reprisals from the administration and spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because they did not want to endanger their work.
Although the members of the Faculty can speak with the media, the Faculty of DSU receives less protections than in other states due to a law of the state law of 2020 faculty unions in public universities, said Sogn.
Drog is worried about the reluctance to speak.
“It is very worrying for me that we have reached a point not only in the state of Dakota, but in so many institutions that people are afraid to speak freely even on issues such as this of freedom of expression, principles and ethics,” said Droge. “These things are not against the university in any way, but it is about allowing people to say what they think freely.”
Some members of the Faculty also said that having a high profile figure at the beginning can take away the attention of the graduates.
“The biggest talk that I have heard from students and other teachers is the concern for the first time that there will be an interruption in the beginning, that we all consider that it is so important for the students who are there,” said Stephen Krebsbach, a computer teacher.
Even so, many students are preparing for the rally.
“The attitude of the students is clear. There is no honor for Noem. Give the graduates and listen to us,” Sprk said.
