Apr 19, 2024  
2020-2021 SDSM&T Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 SDSM&T Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

University Information


 

Dr.  James Rankin, 19th President of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

 

Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Priorities

Our VISION is to develop world-class leaders in science and engineering to benefit society.

Our MISSION is to educate scientists and engineers to address global challenges, innovate to reach our creative potential, and engage in partnerships to transform society.

We VALUE integrity, ingenuity, inclusion, and impact.

For the latest updates on Mines’ Strategic Priorities, please see: https://www.sdsmt.edu/About/Strategic-Plan/

2020-2021 Academic Year

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is one of six universities operating under the authority assigned by the Constitution of the State of South Dakota to the nine-member Board of Regents. The statutory objective of the university is established by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota with programs and organization approved by the Board of Regents. The president is delegated to administer the operation of the university. The traditional collegial process of shared governance for the formation of policies and oversight includes representative organizations to provide recommendations to the president for implementation as appropriate.

South Dakota Board of Regents

Mr. John Bastian, President
Mr. Jim Morgan, Vice President
Ms. Pam Roberts, Secretary
Mr. Brock Brown
Mr. Jim Thares
Mr. Randy Schaefer
Mr. Kevin Schieffer
Ms. Barb Stork
Dr. Joan Wink

Executive Director

Dr. Brian Maher

South Dakota Public Higher Education Institutions

Black Hills State University, Spearfish
Capital University Center, Pierre
Dakota State University, Madison
Northern State University, Aberdeen
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City
South Dakota State University, Brookings
Black Hills State University-Rapid City, Rapid City
University Center, Sioux Falls
University of South Dakota, Vermillion

SD Mines Councils

Executive Council

The Executive Council is the principal administrative unit at the university. The council members are the President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Director of Marketing and Communications, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Vice President for Research, Director of Athletics, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, Associate Vice President of Facilities, Risk, and Services, and President of the Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement. The Director of Planning & Events for the President will serve as the secretary to the Executive Council.

Current members of Executive Council are as follows:

RANKIN, JAMES (2018) President. BS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; MS, PhD, Iowa State University.

BRENTLINGER, ANN (2015) Director, Marketing and Communications. BA, University of South Dakota; MA, National American University.

CHONTOS, SHARON (2020) Interim President, Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement.

DAVIS, RALPH. (2019) Vice President, Research. BS, MS, PhD, University of Nebraska.

HERMAN, JADE (2011) Director of Planning & Events, Office of the President. BS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; MS, University of South Dakota.

LUEKEN, JOEL (2014) Director, Athletics. A.A., Ellsworth Community College; BA, Ottawa University; MS, Northwest Missouri State University.

MAHON, PATRICIA G. (2000) Vice President, Student Development and Dean of Students. BS, MS, Montana State University-Billings; PhD, Kansas State University.

O’NEILL, KELSEY E. (2017). Associate Vice President, Human Resources. BA, University of South Dakota.

ROBERTS, JERILYN (2006) Associate Vice President, Facilities, Risk, and Services. BS, MS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

ROBERTS, LANCE (2015) Interim Provost & Vice President, Academic Affairs. BS, MS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; PhD, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

SPINDLE, WILLIAM (2020) Vice President, Finance and Administration. BS, United States Air Force Academy; MBA, Boston University; EdD, University of La Verne.

University Cabinet

The University Cabinet advises the President concerning the development of policy, the governance of the university, strategic planning, and the fiscal operation of the university. The University Cabinet consists of the President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Director of Marketing and Communications, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Vice President for Research, Director of Athletics, President of the Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement, Chair of the Faculty Senate, Director of the Alumni Association, Dean of Graduate Education, Chair of the Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Council, Chair of the Civil Service Advisory Council, President of the Student Association, Director of Information Technology Services, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, and the Associate Vice President of Facilities, Risk, and Services. The program assistant in the Offices of the President and Provost shall serve as secretary for University Cabinet.

Current members of University Cabinet are as follows:

RANKIN, JAMES (2018) President. BS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; MS, PhD, Iowa State University.

BRENTLINGER, ANN (2015) Director of Marketing and Communications.  BA, University of South Dakota; MA, National American University.

CHONTOS, SHARON (2020 Interim President, Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement.

CROSS, WILLIAM (1984) Chair, Faculty Senate. BS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; MS, University of Utah.

DAVIS, RALPH. (2019) Vice President, Research. BS, MS, PhD, University of Nebraska.

FIORELLO, GINA (2019) Program Assistant, Offices of the President and Provost. A.A., Western Dakota Technical Institute.

GUTHRIE, SHELBY President, Student Association.

LEE, SHANE (2019) Interim Executive Director, Alumni Association.

LUEKEN, JOEL (2014) Director of Athletics. A.A., Ellsworth Community College; BA, Ottawa University; MS, Northwest Missouri State University.

MAHON, PATRICIA G. (2000) Vice President, Student Development and Dean of Students. BS, MS, Montana State University-Billings; PhD, Kansas State University.

METTLER, ANGELA (2018) Chair, Civil Service Advisory Council. BA, South Dakota State University.

O’NEILL, KELSEY (2017) Associate Vice President, Human Resources. BA, University of South Dakota.

PRICE, MARIBETH (1995) Dean, Graduate Education.  BA, Dartmouth College; MA, PhD, Princeton University.

ROBERTS, JERILYN (2006) Associate Vice President, Facilities, Risk, and Services. BS, MS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

ROBERTS, LANCE (2015) Interim Provost & Vice President, Academic Affairs. BS, MS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; PhD, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

SCHUMACHER, BRYAN (1991) Director, Information Technology Services. BS, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

SPINDLE, WILLIAM (2020) Vice President, Finance and Administration. BS, United States Air Force Academy; MBA, Boston University; EdD, University of La Verne.

Civil Service Advisory Council

The civil service employees elect the Civil Service Advisory Council members. This council shall consist of five members, with the offices of chair, vice chair, secretary, and two general board members. The current chair is Angela Mettler.

Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Council

The Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Advisory Council is elected by the administrative employees who are exempt from the Civil Service Act of the state of South Dakota. The current chair is Johnica Morrow.

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate consists of nine voting members, two non-voting (ex-officio) members and is chaired by the chair of the Faculty Senate. The ex-officio members are the Vice President for Research and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. All faculty members may vote in the election of representatives from their discipline and each is eligible for election as a discipline representative. The current chair is William Cross.

Student Association

The Senate of the Student Association is the elected representative council for the formation of recommendations on behalf of enrolled students, including the fees charged to students and the operation of student activities funded through student fees. The current president is Shelby Guthrie.

Academic Organization

Academic departments at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology are organized as follows:

Chemical and Biological Engineering
Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Geology and Geological Engineering
Humanities and Social Sciences
Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Mining Engineering and Management
Physics

Accreditation

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the recognized accrediting agency for the north central states, through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) process. For more information call (800) 621-7440 or visit: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

In addition, the curriculum in chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society.

The following bachelor’s of engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, http:www.abet.org: chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, geological engineering, industrial engineering and engineering management, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, and mining engineering.

The bachelor’s of science program in computer science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

 

Equal Opportunity Policy

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, military status, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, political preference, or disability in employment or the provision of service.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, military/Veteran’s status, or disability. In adhering to this policy, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology abides by all federal and state statutes and regulations for the protection of employees against discrimination. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, 501 East Saint Joseph St., Rapid City, SD 57701, (605) 394-1203.