News regarding the Dykhouse Center

[JackJD]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Those negative votes are upsetting. I intend to visit with Greenfield about his position -- but, it is obvious he's carrying some old baggage around since the switch to DI and it is likely we won't change his mind.

The Regents rep. was calm and rational.

Let's not let a dumb vote upset the message board. I suggest this thread be allowed to die. There will be more dumb political votes in the future that we will also debate. At the same time, I encourage all of you who have a strong feeling about this issue or any other issue: contact the legislators! You'd be shocked to know how little contact they actually have with the voters and that's why they sometimes allow their petty, personal feeling about something interfere with common sense.

SDSU, in spite of what some think, does not get fair treatment in Pierre. So, get involved.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

This is a discussion board, this thread has had more posts in the last two hours than any other in two days (outside of maybe our logo change). Why do we need to let it "die"? I assume that is why folks come to the board is to discuss and read other posts.

[NorCalJack]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Here is the e-mail I sent to both congressmen.

I am shocked to hear that you voted against the facility upgrades at
South Dakota State University. Hard working people from South Dakota
donated that money to get these facilities built and none of the money was
from the government. South Dakota deserves better facilities for
higher education. South Dakota was the last state in the union to have a
D-1 university. If you are opposed to the move SDSU made, then you are
also against progress for this state. That is a real shame. You where
elected to represent the people of South Dakota, you did us all a
disservice.

And Greenfield replyed with this.

You did yourself a disservice by not contacting legislators BEFORE the
vote when you might have been able to win over the three "no" votes.
There were four "no's" in the entire legislature. I'm guessing they
were all votes of principle and not so much over the project. Certainly,
there is not a problem with the funding source. If you're going to
build a third gymnasium, private funds are certainly the proper source.
Just don't forget that the Regents and the local SDSU decision-makers
need to make maintenance and repair of existing academic structures a
priority.

I never thought I or anyone else needed to lobby to the legislators to approve the construction of this facility. I thought it would go unapposed.

With regard to Maher not liking the name of the Field House, maybe he would have voted for the project if we renamed it the Maher Field House? That e-mail response from Maher was very unprofessional. At least Greenfield did have a point about maintenance and repair costs, but Maher has sour grapes or something.

In closing, I'm actually impressed that both individuals has the decency to respond. I'm moving on with this issue.

[JimmyJack]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

When you're dealing with a legislative body, with all the competing interests and influences, a win is a win whether its 20 to 13 or 30 to 3.

I'll take it.

[22jack]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Here are two problems I see with their response.

First, the new Wellness center has nothing to do with the Athletic Department. It is for the non student athletes and the community. It is not even run by the Athletic Department, it is going to be run by Student Affairs.

Two, the new DC is supposed to have academic rooms to also help the student athletes with academics. Enough said.

The clearly do not know the facts.

[joeboo22]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

I listened to it and I think the main reasons 2 people voted against it were for these reasons.

1) the guy that was in front of the committee, the guy didn't do a good job explaining it, there was a guy on the committee that did a better job and he still didn't quite have things down.... There are people that thought or think that SDSU is going to expand expand expand then later down the line come back to the state and ask for money (something they don't want).... Apa voted for it so it had to of been somewhat of a good deal....

2) What people are afraid of is if SDSU gets all these donations and starts expanding and so on the other universities will jump up in classes and then more budgeted money goes to athletics then classrooms.....

3) How it is portrayed..... People don't like the Dykhouse's or the Sanfords and the last thing they want to do is put there names on a building on a state campus..... like it or not I think this was the main issue.....


The main part though is that it passed.....

[KUlawJack]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

I have been around quite a few politicians in my short life and can honestly say I have never seen, heard, or read a reply as unprofessional as Mahers. I feel sorry for his district. Greenfield's response is boilerplate material - he has sent the same email to most I suspect, including myself. As far as strapped for cash as Maher put it, I dont buy that. Look to that multibillion dollar ''rainy day'' fund the state has. Its not a profit seeking business its a state government. We lag toward the bottom in education nationwide. The state's flagship institution should be a source of pride in Pierre and it is truly a problem that it is not. Private funds are just that, private and should be spent according to the donor's wishes. As far as Maher's ridiculous wish that we quit building, I wish we could go faster! I like President Chicoine's approach - sky's the limit!

[JackFan96]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Interesting thread. Obviously, I don't agree with the votes. The money is private, so ... it makes no sense to try and stop its intended use. Just a word, though, for people who might considering writing those legislators. If you do, sign your letters and include contact information. I gather somebody might not have or forgot to. Unsigned letters, I promose you, don't carry much weight. And, to be honest, they shouldn't. That being said, though ... feel free to fire away with both barrels if you write them. Just be rational and professional ... even if they might not be when they respond.

[Nidaros]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Here is how is broke down. Greenfield and Smidt voted nay in committee. Greenfield, Koetzle and Maher voted nay on the floor. The bill passes 30 to 3, what the hell is going on in Pierre. I have already emailed Greenfield and recommend everyone else do so. I will let you know what I hear back, if anything. Smidt was smart enough to vote for the bill on the floor.

Is the reference to Smidt voting nay in committee is that Brookings's one and only Orv Smidt? That is wierd to say the lest. Or is there another Smidt in the legislature? Although I may not agree with with Orv on some issues, I can not imagine him trading any votes in committee especially if they involve SDSU. Could this post be in error?

[JackJD]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

This is a discussion board, this thread has had more posts in the last two hours than any other in two days (outside of maybe our logo change). Why do we need to let it "die"? I assume that is why folks come to the board is to discuss and read other posts.

Yeah, I guess I change my mind. I'm not fond of politics getting on the message board but this is different.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Is the reference to Smidt voting nay in committee is that Brookings's one and only Orv Smidt? That is wierd to say the lest. Or is there another Smidt in the legislature? Although I may not agree with with Orv on some issues, I can not imagine him trading any votes in committee especially if they involve SDSU. Could this post be in error?

Smidt did not vote no in the committee. And, yes, that is Brookings' one and only Orv Smidt. He was very helpful to the BOR fella throughout by helping explain what is going on at SDSU. Maher and Greenfield voted no.

[SFJACK]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

my apologies, Smidt voted yea. When I pulled up the House Bill vote I read the screen wrong.

Is the reference to Smidt voting nay in committee is that Brookings's one and only Orv Smidt? That is wierd to say the lest. Or is there another Smidt in the legislature? Although I may not agree with with Orv on some issues, I can not imagine him trading any votes in committee especially if they involve SDSU. Could this post be in error?

[jackmd]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Maher is a USD trained attorney (at least as I understand it). Perhaps that should be enough to excuse his no vote. However, his disrespectful reply should not be ignored. It is our responsibility to expose this small-minded unintelligent individual for what he is. Instead of trying to understand the error in his ways he has chosen to defend his poor decision. That is a character flaw that can't be tolerated. Someone reel me in if I'm wrong.

[Nidaros]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Apology accepted. RVLIN reference in committee of Smidt helping the BOR guy sounds very reasonable if not the absolute truth.

One thing about buildings coming into being through private donations is that often the donations are intended for the construction. Once the building is built, there is necessary maintenance and utility cost that does have to come from the legislature. From that angle, I can see their concern, but not a reason to be unreasonable.


Sounds like this has been a crazy day. 5 pages of thread.

[joeybrownerHOF]

Re: News regarding the Dykhouse Center

Maher is a USD trained attorney (at least as I understand it). Perhaps that should be enough to excuse his no vote. However, his disrespectful reply should not be ignored. It is our responsibility to expose this small-minded unintelligent individual for what he is. Instead of trying to understand the error in his ways he has chosen to defend his poor decision. That is a character flaw that can't be tolerated. Someone reel me in if I'm wrong.

Neither Maher nor Greenfield are graduates of USD Law.

Maher - BHSU (was also a loan officer with a bank in Faith so his comment on the name may have been tongue in cheek, who knows)

Greenfield - Northern