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Jackrabbit Advocates are a dedicated group of South Dakota State University alumni and friends committed to telling SDSU’s stories to elected officials, particularly those in South Dakota, about the importance of economic development, education, research and prosperity driven by SDSU. The advocacy initiative started in 2008.

Gov. M. Michael Rounds, an SDSU alumnus, and the 2009 South Dakota Legislature face several difficult decisions for the next fiscal year. Now more than ever, these SDSU alumni and friends need to contact key decision makers about the integral role South Dakota State fulfills in the state, the region and the nation.

Mission
 
The Jackrabbit Advocates is a grassroots coalition of alumni, students, and friends of South Dakota State University who share a dedication to public higher education in South Dakota and to SDSU.  Members are called upon to build relationships with their legislators and interact with them about specific issues as they relate to public higher education and SDSU.
 
Vision
 
The Jackrabbit Advocates will be a self-governing body, under the SDSU Alumni Association, representing the independent voice of the Alumni Association.  It will be a strong and collaborative partner with South Dakota State University.  The Jackrabbit Advocates will demonstrate professionalism and build lasting relationships with its constituencies.
 
Guiding Values
 
SDSU serves a unique role as South Dakota’s largest public research, and land-grant University.  Reinvesting in the powerful economic engine represented by SDSU will be critical to the future of our state and the well being of our 70,000 plus alumni, as well as, our fellow citizens of South Dakota.  We believe the stage is set to ensure quality public higher education for today’s students, improve accessibility and affordability for tomorrow’s students, and provide the support that will attract further outside investment in research to improve the lives of all South Dakotans and fuel our state’s economy in the changing times ahead.
 
Expectations
 
Jackrabbit Advocates communicate the needs of public higher education and SDSU to the South Dakota Legislature.  Informed advocates help strengthen SDSU.
 
Jackrabbit Advocates agree to do the following:

• Stay informed
• Cultivate relationships
• Make contact with legislators
• Provide the Jackrabbit Advocates, Alumni Association, and South Dakota State University feedback

The Web page will carry useful information for Jackrabbit Advocates — background material on the university and its initiatives, background on the legislative process, timely updates on legislation that impacts SDSU, and suggestions on ways alumni and friends can interact most effectively with elected officials. We at the SDSU Alumni Association encourage you to bookmark this page.

If you are interested in becoming a Jackrabbit Advocate in your area, please contact Matt Fuks, President/CEO, SDSU Alumni Association at 1-888-735-2257 or via email at matt.fuks@statealum.com.

2009 Joint Appropriations presentation

President David Chicoine led the South Dakota State University presentation before the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee on Jan. 28, 2009.  The presentation included the attached nine-page handout. The first two pages after the cover provide background on today’s university, including enrollment, budget and research activity. The fourth page lists the university’s priorities heading into Fiscal Year 2010. Pages 5 through 7 are overviews of the Cooperative Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the five-year strategic plan. The final two pages list the graduate degrees now available at SDSU. Download PDF.

LINKS
Press release concerning savings (PDF)

Link to the Governor's Budget 2011 (link)

Governor outlines Budget Proposal in Address to the Legislature (link)

Board of Regents - Charting a Course (Powerpoint)

Board of Regents June 2, 2009 Memorandum (PDF)

Federal Stimulus State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (DOC)

HB 1257–Right to possess a firearm on the campuses of public higher institutions of higher education (PDF)

HB 1077 Speaking Points (PDF)

HB 1183–Higher Education Center (description)

HB1298–Issues to Consider if the Legislature Closes A University (PDF)