South Dakota State UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for South Dakota State University. Free for students.

Public Research University in Brookings, SD. Operating on a semester system.

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13K+

Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

46

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer Full-Term Courses 2026

The semester, explained for South Dakota State University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Summer Full-Term Courses 2026
Campus terms
40
Local details
29

Academic calendar

Summer Full-Term Courses 2026 runs May 11, 2026 – Aug 7, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

23 entries
  1. Summer Full-Term Courses 2026Relevant now
  2. Summer 2026 First Five-Week SessionSummer First Five-Week Courses 2026
  3. Summer 10-Week Academic Session 2026Summer 2026 10-Week SessionSummer Ten-Week Courses 2026
  4. Summer 2026 Second Five-Week SessionSummer Second Five-Week Courses 2026
  5. August Interim 2026
  6. Fall First Half 2026First Half Fall Term 2026
  7. Fall Term 2026
  8. Fall Second Half 2026
  9. Winter Intersession 2026-2027
  10. First Half Spring Term 2027Spring First Half 2027
  11. Spring Term 2027
  12. May Interim 2027
  13. 10-Week Academic Summer Session 2027Summer 10-Week Academic Session 2027Summer 2027 10-Week SessionSummer Ten-Week Session 2027
  14. August Interim 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

40 terms

B

Binnewies
Binnewies Hall, one of the larger traditional-style residence halls on campus.
Binny
Binnewies Hall, a large traditional-style residence hall.
Bum-a-Meal
A Hobo Day tradition where local Brookings residents host students for a home-cooked meal.

C

CAFES
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Caldwell
Caldwell Hall, often referred to by its full name but known for being the honors-focused residence.

E

Einstein's
The Einstein Bros. Bagels location in the Student Union, a common morning meeting spot.

F

Flex
Dining dollars included with meal plans specifically for on-campus food purchases

G

Go Jacks
The universal greeting, cheer, and sign-off used by students and alumni.
GSA
Gender and Sexualities Alliance, a student organization for LGBTQ+ support

H

HDC
Hobo Day Committee, the group responsible for planning the university's unique homecoming week.
Hobo Day
SDSU's homecoming celebration, considered the 'Biggest One-Day Event in the Dakotas.'
Hobo Day Committee
The student group responsible for organizing the annual Hobo Day homecoming festivities.
Hobo Dough
Discretionary funds on the student ID card used at on-campus and select off-campus vendors

J

Jacks
Short for Jackrabbits, the official mascot and the collective name for the student body.
JV
Jackrabbit Village, a popular residential complex consisting of Spencer, Thorne, and Abbott halls.

L

Larson's
The SDSU Dairy Bar (located in the Alfred Dairy Science Hall), famous for student-made ice cream.

M

Market 66
A convenience store and grill located in the lower level of the Student Union.
Medary Commons
A primary dining hub on the north side of campus serving students in nearby residence halls.

P

Pierson
Pierson Hall, a large residence hall located centrally on campus near the Student Union.

R

RHA
Residence Hall Association, the representative body for students living on campus.
RSO
Registered Student Organization, the official designation for any of the 200+ student clubs on campus.

S

SA
Students' Association, the SDSU student government body.
Southeast
Southeast Apartments, on-campus apartment-style housing for upperclassmen.
Starship
The autonomous robotic delivery fleet used to transport food from the Union to campus buildings.
State
Common shorthand used by students and locals to refer to South Dakota State University.

T

The Bubble
A term used to describe the self-contained nature of the Brookings campus community
The Campanile
The Coughlin Campanile, a landmark chimes tower that is a symbol of the university
The Dairy Bar
The SDSU Dairy Bar, a campus staple famous for ice cream and cheese produced by the dairy science department.
The Hill
The historic, elevated section of campus near the Campanile where many original university buildings are located.
The Jack
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, the home of Jackrabbit Football.
The Jack
Jackrabbit Village, a residential complex consisting of Jackrabbit, Thorne, and Abbott Halls.
The Market
The C-store located in the Student Union for quick snacks and groceries.
The Meadows
Meadows North and Meadows South, the apartment-style housing complex on the north side of campus.
The Med
Medary Hall, a residence hall often associated with the nearby Medary Commons dining area.
The Rabbit Den
A common reference to the lower level of the Student Union.
The Union
The University Student Union, the primary hub for retail dining options like Chick-fil-A and Panda Express.

U

UPC
University Program Council, the student-led group that plans major campus entertainment and events.

W

Wear Blue
The campus-wide Friday tradition of wearing school colors to show Jackrabbit pride.
Weary Wil’s
A sports-themed dining location in the Student Union named after the university's mascot.

Y

Young
Young Hall, a residence hall located on the south side of campus.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

29 details
ADM
The Administration Building, housing the registrar, financial aid, and executive offices.
Avera
The Avera Health and Science Center, which houses pharmacy and chemistry laboratories.
BATA
Brookings Area Transit Authority, the bus service that provides transportation around campus and the city.
chick_fil_a
Chick-fil-A
D2L
Desire2Learn, the learning management system used for course materials, assignments, and online classes.
Dana J.
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, the home field for Jackrabbit football.
einstein_bros_bagels
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Flex
Declining balance dollars included in meal plans that can be used at any campus dining location.
GAF
General Activity Fee, a per-credit fee that funds student organizations, the Union, and the Wellness Center.
HPER
The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation building, used for athletic training and classes.
Jack's Pass
The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
Jackrabbit Card
The multi-purpose student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library checkouts.
Jackrabbit Central
The official campus bookstore located in the Student Union
larson_commons
Larson Commons
MyState
The official university mobile app and web portal for checking grades, schedules, and campus news.
Starfish
The student success platform used for scheduling advising appointments and receiving academic alerts.
Starship
The autonomous robotic delivery fleet used for on-campus food delivery
SWC
Student Wellness Center, the main campus gym and recreation facility.
The Campanile
Coughlin Campanile, the iconic 165-foot chimes tower and campus landmark.
The HPER
The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Center, the main campus gym and fitness facility (pronounced 'hyper').
The Medary
Medary Commons, a building housing various student services and dining
The PAC
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, the venue for university theater and musical performances.
The Rotunda
A central classroom building known for its distinctive circular architecture and large lecture halls.
The Union
The University Student Union, the central hub for dining and student services
The Wellness
The Miller Wellness Center, the campus gym and recreation facility.
the_dairy_bar
The Dairy Bar
Yellow Lot
The designated parking lots for students holding commuter parking permits.
Yellow Lots
Specific parking lots designated for student commuters and residents with the corresponding permit.
Yellow Medary
A common reference to the large commuter parking lots located along Medary Avenue

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Summer Full-Term Courses 2026 runs May 11, 2026 – Aug 7, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
40 approved campus terms and 29 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · South Dakota State University

You just committed to South Dakota State University.

The four months ahead don’t need to be one giant open tab. Sign up and we’ll only email you when South Dakota State University actually needs you to do something this summer — orientation, housing, course registration, immunization. That’s the whole product.

What we’ll email you about

  • Jul 1

    Submit final high school transcripts

    Required · source

  • Jul 15

    Upload MMR immunization records

    Required · source

  • Jul 20

    Final New Student Orientation registration

    Required · source

  • Aug 28

    Move-In Day

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Assisted

Find a few communities to try at South Dakota State University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

54 mapped items from 21 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow

A professional organization for students interested in communicating about agriculture. Members develop skills in writing, photography, public relations, and design.

Open to all

Alpha Gamma Rho

A professional and social fraternity for young men pursuing careers in the agriculture, food, and fiber industries.

Regular commitment

Source: alphagammarho.org · Verified today

Learn More

Alpha Xi Delta

A social sorority focused on sisterhood, leadership, knowledge, and service. Their national philanthropy is The Kindly Hearts Initiative.

Regular commitment

Source: alphaxidelta.org · Verified today

Learn More

Chi Omega

A social sorority and the largest women's fraternal organization in the world. Their national philanthropy is the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Regular commitment

College Panhellenic Association (CPA)

The unifying and governing body for the two social sororities at South Dakota State University, focusing on recruitment, leadership, and community service.

Source: public campus page · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

College Panhellenic Association (CPH)

The unifying and governing body for the social sororities at South Dakota State University. The association creates and implements policies and programs for its member chapters.

Invite only

Source: sdstate.edu · Verified 4 days ago

Learn More

FarmHouse (FH)

A social fraternity dedicated to building men through a four-fold development: intellectually, spiritually, socially/morally, and physically.

Invite only

Source: farmhouse.org · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Easy to try first

Advertising Club

A student chapter of the American Advertising Federation for students interested in advertising and marketing. The club networks with professionals through guest speakers, tours, and projects.

Drop in any time

Source: sdstate.edu · Verified 4 days ago

Learn More

Gaming Club

A community for students interested in video games, board games, and tabletop RPGs. The club hosts casual play sessions, tournaments, and social events.

Drop in any time

Campus rituals

Bum-a-Meal

A Hobo Week tradition where students sign up to have a free, home-cooked meal at the homes of local Brookings residents and SDSU faculty/staff.

Drop in any time

Hobo Day

SDSU's unique homecoming celebration, the largest one-day event in the Dakotas. The week includes traditions like the Hobo Day Parade, Bum Olympics, and Rally at the Rails.

Drop in any time

Recent South Dakota State University Syllabus Analyses

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South Dakota State University on DormWay

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Syllabi Analyzed

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First Year Seminar:Pre-Health

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Life in Brookings for South Dakota State University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Brookings.

Timezone

Central Time (CT)

Median Rent

$756

Cost of Living Index

95

Student Population

12,000

City Transportation

Public Transit

BROOKS public transit

Nearest Airports

Brookings Regional Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid continental

Avg Annual Temp

47°F

Avg Snowfall

38 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Lot 150 (Pay Lot)

surface_lot

Located on the east side of University Student Union; credit card only.

Lot 164 (Library Lot)

surface_lot

Short-term pay-by-space parking near Hilton M. Briggs Library.

Upcoming Events

What's happening at South Dakota State University

Garden Party at McCrory Gardens

August 7, 2026

McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center

An evening event featuring SDSU ice cream and live jazz from The Johnson-McKinney Quartet.

BCT Summer Show - The Wizard of Oz

August 7, 2026

The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center

A summer theatrical performance of The Wizard of Oz.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at South Dakota State University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

45 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

2-1-2 House

8-Plexes

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

Abbott Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: single, double

Alumni Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: single, double

Ben Reifel Hall

Capacity: 256

Binnewies Hall

Brookings Hall

Brown Hall

Capacity: 380

Caldwell Hall

Ceres Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

Courtyard Hall

Emry Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: single, double, triple

Girton House

Capacity: 100

Room types: single, double

Hansen Hall

Heiser Hall

Higbie Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: single, double, triple

Honors Hall

Hyde Hall

Jackrabbit Village

Johnson Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

Kellogg Hall

Mathews Hall

Matthews Hall

McElroy Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

Show the remaining 21 housing options

McFadden Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

Meadows North

Meadows North and South

Capacity: 320

Room types: four-bedroom

Meadows South

New Res

Capacity: 250

Room types: single, double

Olson Hall

Pierson Hall

Residence Village

Room types: single

Richardson Hall

Capacity: 500

Room types: single, double, triple

Schultz Hall

Spencer Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: single, double

The Courtyard

Capacity: 107

Room types: single

Thorne Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: single, double

University Suites

Capacity: 200

Room types: suite with singles and doubles

University Village

Capacity: 400

Room types: 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom apartments

Van Eps Place

Capacity: 150

Room types: single, double

Waneta Hall

Wecota Hall

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, double

Wels Lutheran Student Center

Young Hall

Zimmermann Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: single, double

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@southdakotastateu.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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