University of South Dakota - Campus

Campus

The University of South Dakota is based on a 216-acre (87 ha) campus situated along the bluffs near the Missouri River in the southeast corner of the state. The most prominent academic facility on campus, while simultaneously serving as one the school's symbols, is Old Main. Old Main was built in 1883, burned down in 1889, and ultimately restored in 1997. Along with several classrooms, it houses an Oscar Howe Museum, the University Honors Program, and Center for Academic Engagement. Farber Hall, a 190-seat theatre utilized mainly for speaking engagements, is also located within Old Main.

One of the newest additions to the campus is the Al Neuharth Media Center, named for the founder of USA Today. Dedicated in September 2003, the Neuharth Center houses all of the news and media organizations on campus, including the Freedom Forum’s South Dakota operations, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, the Department of Contemporary Media and Journalism, campus newspaper The Volante, campus radio station KAOR, and television station KYOT. Formerly an armory and athletic field house, the building was converted into a media center through donations made by Al Neuharth, a 1950 USD graduate.

The DakotaDome serves not only as the home venue for the school's football, softball, swimming, basketball, volleyball, and track and field teams, but also a recreational center for the student body. It is South Dakota's only domed football stadium, hosting the state's high school football championships in November.

A $15 million, 61,000-square-foot (5,700 m2) wellness center opened in the spring of 2011. Located just north of the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, the center includes state-of-the-art workout equipment, a multi-story climbing wall, multiple courts for basketball and volleyball, racquetball courts, and a three-lane walking/jogging track.

USD opened the doors to the newly constructed Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center (MUC) for student use February 17, 2009. The MUC houses the Student Activities Center, a campus dining facility, coffee shop, book store, convenience store and a number of lounge and TV areas for students to relax or study.

USD's Beacom School of Business moved into a new building in the fall of 2009. The previous building, Patterson Hall, is currently housing the sciences (Earth Science, Physics, Astronomy) until Akeley-Lawrence science building renovation is completed.