Broadcaster Press 03 October 1, 2013 www.broadcasteronline.com Abbott presents State of the University address By Travis Gulbrandson travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net One of the biggest challenges to higher education today is the national attitude toward it, and toward liberal arts in particular. Along with student retention, enrollment and graduation rates, this attitude was one of the main topics of University of South Dakota president James W. Abbott’s annual State of the University address, which was held Thursday at Aalfs Auditorium. Abbott said he has a hard time understanding “of what I think is the current movement, really, to eviscerate the liberal arts. I don’t know if it’s intended, but I think that it’s a part of what’s happening, and it bothers me a great deal.” This “evisceration” was seen first-hand during meetings with the state board of regents, Abbott said. “Person after person in these conversations got up and said, ‘You know, tell the kids … don’t major in psychology,’” he said. The emphasis away from liberal arts is an elitist one, Abbott said. “The people I hear saying it are people who sent their kids to institutions like the University of South Dakota to get a great liberal arts education, to learn to express themselves orally and in writing, to take sufficient classes to analyze things and solve problems,” he said. Abbott said he was not in any way denigrating general skills. “Skills are necessary, but in a world that is rapidly changing, how is it that a set of skills that you learn gives you the ability to change the world?” he said. “We are so much in South Dakota a victim of what we have rather than what we could be. “You don’t get to be what you can be as a state, as a county, as a city, as anything, without determining what you want and figuring out how to get there,” he said. “By and large, you get there by tracking avenues that make a difference, that solve problems. It’s not by skills.” Abbott added that while he is glad skills-related employers are in South Dakota, the state will not change because of their presence. “I hope we keep them all, but I hope we attract other businesses that are Broadcasteronline.c om SPACIOUS 4 BR HOME FOR SALE - MUST SEE! Spacious home, 1680 sq. ft. Recently remodeled kitchen as well as other updates, Master Bedroom plus three other bedrooms, 2 bath, fireplace. $58,000 1101 Announcements Events Dalesburg Lutheran Church: 12 miles North of Vermillion on University Road. Worship Services 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Website: www.dalesburglutheran.org much more knowledgebased, and you get those kinds of things by emphasizing the ability to solve the very problems that they’re trying to solve,” he said. While Abbott said that he loves South Dakota, “Our state has a tremendous aversion to taxes. … We don’t want to pay for them. We want excellence. We don’t care to pay for it.” The state is not unusual in that regard, he said, but added that its low tolerance for failure also creates problems. “I don’t believe in throwing money at a problem, but I think it’s pretty clear we do not support education, either K-12 or public higher ed, to the extent that we should.” In essence, the current system pits K-12 and higher ed against each other, Abbott said. “We should be lockstep, hand in hand,” he said. “We should not be pitted against one another for the … gleanings.” As a result, Abbott said it is hard to conclude, looking forward, that universities will be appropriated significantly more dollars on an annual basis. “The demographics are not on our side,” he said. “My generation is rapidly growing older, and simply, the demands for services by older folks are (increasing). … That’s just the way it is. And, there is a common belief that public higher education is too expensive. Period. “Fair or unfair, true or untrue, the fact is, perception becomes reality if that’s what you think,” he said. Abbott said he does not think this is the case. “I regret that at this current time students pay for about 60 percent of their education, compared to the 40 that I paid, but I still think comparatively speaking, across the country, that we are a very good value,” he said. “But, the public doesn’t know that because what they hear is, ‘Education is too expensive.’” As a result, Abbott said he does not envision more than modest appropriations. “Our state provides less than 30 percent of our funding, so every time the state raises our salaries by 3 percent, we have a whole bunch of people that we have to cover that we would not get state dollars for. So that requires an increase in tuition,” he said. Abbott said he was told Wednesday that actuaries had underestimated health care increases for the second year, which will lead to even more adjustments. “It’s pretty clear that we’re going to have to pony up as a state for health plans,” he said. “Nobody wants not to do that – we want to do that – but that doesn’t make it any more palatable.” TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” Design/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching Serving the Beresford and Vermillion Areas 1-800-560-2518 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 Elk Point Baptist Church. Sunday worship at 11:00am, Tuesday evening Bible study at 7:00pm. 101 North Green St., Elk Point, SD 57069. (605)222-1981 FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH: 401 Main Street, Makell, NE. Sunday School 9am. Worship: 10am. Communion: 1st and 3rd Sundays. (605)658-0240 (home) (402)-692-3323 (church). Faith United Lutheran Church, ELCA, 44874 303rd St/Po Box 168, Volin, SD 57072, (605)267-2277. Sunday Worship: 9:30am with Holy Communion the 1st & 4th Sundays. WOW Wednesday program beginning at 6:30pm for all children 3 yrs old - 7th grade, and confirmation classes for those in grades 8th & 9th. FIRST BAPTIST Church Elmer “Sandy” Aakre, Pastor 624-6391 home, 624-4658 church. Time: 9:15 Sunday School, 10:30 Worship. Sunday Choir Practice, 11:50 a.m. GAYVILLE LUTHERAN Church: Sunday School 9:15 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m. Pastor Ralph Egbert. GOSPEL CHAPEL Church, 708 Jessie St./Highway 12, Newcastle, NE. Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday worship 10:30 a.m.; AWANA Wednesday at 7 p.m., 402-355-2305. Pastor Chuck Myers, 402-355-1335. GRACE BAPTIST Church, SBC, Pastor Steve Ford, 1102 E. Main. Phone 624-4949. Adult?s and Children?s Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting Wednesday Night 7 p.m. HILLSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH (C&MA) 1800 Constance Dr. West on Cherry just before you go down the hill. Worship Sept.-May 10:30a.m., May-August 10a.m., AWANA Sunday School small groups. 6 0 5 - 6 2 4 - 4 8 6 2 , www.hillside-cc.com IMMANUAL Lutheran Church, Elk Point, SD: Worship Service 9:00 a.m., Sunday School 10:00 a.m. KOMSTAD COVENANT Church, Rural Beresford and Centerville, SD: Matt Styles, Pastor. 18 miles north on University Road. Phone 563-2402. Sunday School 10 a.m., Worship Service 11 a.m. Call 605.670.3566 For Viewing Appointment M&S Irrigation & Tr e n c h i n g Now’s the time to buy! Get a jump on the 2014 season and take advantage of the year’s highest rebates for fall Reinke purchases! Ribbon Cutting Celebration! Mike Seiner, Owner • Vermillion, SD • 605-999-5218 • 605-624-5594 Nygren’s True Value (formerly Coast to Coast Hardware) has been in business since 1988. Nick and Judy Nygren have been owners for the past 25 years. Together with third generation owner Marty Nygren, they recently celebrated their 25 year grand reopening. In preparation for this celebration, Nygren’s True Value recently completed an entire store remodel, including new flooring, fixtures, signage and completely updated layout. They welcome you to stop down and take a look! Nygren’s True Value is located at 9 Court Street, Vermillion. They can be reached at 605 624-6725, fax 605 624-5609, or email nygrenstruevalue@truevalue.net. Their store hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 AM -6:00 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. You can also visit their website at www.truevalue.com/nygrens Market Yourself Increase your business’s exposure, build connections and multiply opportunities with effective print advertising. Broadcaster Press 201 W Cherry St. • Vermillion • 624-4429