Hotline 2.2.22

VCSU launches Master of Science degree in Business Information Systems

Valley City State University celebrated the launch of the Master of Science degree in Business Information Systems on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

This degree focuses on advancing skills in communication, Salesforce, SAP Business Software, computer software administration, and information technology management. Students can enter the program with a bachelor’s degree in any major. The courses in this program help develop leadership skills for any individual seeking advancement or leadership roles in the workforce.

Watch the announcement and learn more about this degree at https://www.vcsu.edu/academics/graduate-programs/masterofsciencebusinessinformationsystems/.

Valley City State University Successfully Reaccredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Valley City State University (VCSU) has officially been reaccredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The accreditation follows a comprehensive evaluation by the HLC that included a review of VCSU policies, procedures and documents. The process also included an in-person, on-campus visit with HLC officials late last year. The review found strong educational, governance and cultural components present at VCSU. The next HLC accreditation site visit will be during the 2031-32 school year.

“The HLC accreditation process provides a comprehensive review of the entire campus and assures quality by verifying that we meet standards and are engaged in continuous improvement,” VCSU President Dr. Alan LaFave said. “This validates the trust HLC has in our faculty and staff to continue providing the best educational experiences possible. This is a proud moment for our entire institution.”

Every core component listed by the HLC was met during the reaccreditation process.

“Our faculty and staff did a great job in preparing materials for this review. Their work highlights the many advances we have made at VCSU academically and on campus,” Margaret Dahlberg, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said. “This accreditation shows that we continue to offer quality educational opportunities in line with our mission and purpose.”

Two areas of note are the efforts made to better utilize assessment when making critical decisions, and the shared governance structures present on campus.

“VCSU has met all of the Criteria for Accreditation and has a healthy, forward-looking culture that uses evidence of institutional and program effectiveness to inform decisions and to make improvements,” the HLC report states.

Read the full news release at https://www.vcsu.edu/valley-city-state-university-successfully-reaccredited-by-the-higher-learning-commission/.

Returning Student Scholarship deadline approaching

The deadline for returning student scholarship applications is quickly approaching on Feb. 15!

Valley City State University awards scholarships to numerous returning students each year. The Valley City State University scholarship program is made possible only through the generous donations from alumni and friends. Students must be enrolled full-time at VCSU to be eligible for scholarships, and be taking a minimum of 3 on campus credits during the award year. Valley City State University does not award summer scholarships. Scholarship values and number of scholarships available each year can vary due to current investment rates. To see a list of the individual scholarship programs available through VCSU for current students who will be returning to VCSU, go to the following link: vcsu.academicworks.com.

VCSU Foundation participating in Giving Hearts Day

The VCSU Foundation is looking forward to participating in Giving Hearts Day on Thursday, Feb. 10.

In 2021, 243 donors raised $26,800. Those dollars help our students through scholarship support in addition to hosting alumni gatherings, award programs, Homecoming activities, and our alumni newsletter The Bulletin. On Thursday, Feb. 10, donate $10 or more at givingheartsday.org by choosing the VCSU Foundation and your donation will be matched up to $5,000!

Donations can be dropped off anytime between now and 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the VCSU Foundation Office. If you drop off your check before Feb. 10, please make sure the check is dated as Feb. 10 and you have referenced Giving Hearts Day in the memo section in order for the donation to be counted for the match. The matching gift is provided by Ludvigson, Braun & Co. — Matt Pedersen.

In 2021, over $1M was donated to Giving Hearts Day charities through scheduled donations. Scheduling your donation is easy!
1. Find the VCSU Foundation donation page at app.givingheartsday.org/#/charity/383
2. Choose your amount.
3. Make sure “Pay on Giving Hearts Day, February 10th, 2022” is checked in your cart.

Call for The Forge submissions

Students, staff and faculty are invited to submit entries to The Forge, VCSU’s Literary & Arts Journal.

The deadline to submit is Sunday, February 13 at 12 a.m. midnight.

Each writing entry must be submitted as a Word document. Any images must be attached in JPEG form (at least 300 dpi). Submit entries to theforge@vcsu.edu.

Participants can submit up to 5 entries total. Please include a title page with the following for each submissions: name, title of entry, category of entry. There should be no visible signatures on artworks so they can be judged anonymously.

Submissions have been in the following categories: short fiction, poetry, drama, academic/personal essay, drawing/painting, printmaking, ceramics/sculpture, photography/digital imaging.

Spaghetti Dinners for Global Exploration Club

The VCSU Global Exploration Club will host two Spaghetti Dinner events to raise funds for their Costa Rica trip. The Spaghetti Dinners will take place Feb. 7 and 21 at the Valley City Eagles Club from 5-7 p.m. Free will donations are accepted. Donations can also be made at vcsu-ndus.nbsstore.net/costa-rica-trip for those who cannot attend the dinner events.

KHP newsletter - January 2022

Happy New Year 2022 from the Department of Kinesiology and Human Performance (KHP)!

Students in KHP are back in the classroom and the field/court, etc. KHP is the place where students work hard to achieve their dreams and their career goals. KHP faculty and staff are happy to have everyone back, and look forward to having the another great semester.

Find out what students in the Kinesiology and Human Performance department have been up to so far this semester:

KHP Newsletter – January 2022

Viking Sports Update

Men’s Basketball
Friday: Presentation College 72, VCSU 67
Saturday: VCSU 79, Mayville State 69
The VCSU men’s basketball team split a pair of road games, including a 79-69 win at rival Mayville State University. The Vikings now have a 13-9 overall record and a 4-5 mark in conference play. 

Women’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 70, Presentation College 63
Saturday: Mayville State 87, VCSU 53
The Viking women split their road games this weekend, starting with a 70-63 win at Presentation College. VCSU’s women are now 8-11 overall and 5-4 in the North Star Athletic Association. 

Track & Field
JT Reed set a new school record in the 200 meter dash Saturday as the Viking track and field teams competed at the UND Indoor Open. Read more: http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/4289

Softball
The Valley City State softball team begins it season this weekend with four games at the Minot State University Dome Tournament. The Vikings play Minnesota-Crookston on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the season opener. 

Upcoming Events
Feb. 4: WBB/MBB vs. Waldorf University, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (Valley City)
Feb. 5: WBB/MBB vs. Viterbo University, 3/5 p.m. (Valley City)
Feb. 4-6: Softball at Minot State Dome Tournament (Minot, N.D.)
Feb. 4-5: Track & Field at NDSU Bison Open (Fargo, N.D.)

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

Ongoing
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center (no testing  Feb. 21 due to holiday)

Friday, Feb. 4
National Wear Red Day
9 a.m. – noon Viking Visit Day, VCSU campus

Wednesday, Feb. 9
7 p.m. ZuZu African Acrobats, Vangstad Auditorium

Community Club meetings

• Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
• Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7 a.m., Vicky’s Viking Room
• Rotary Club – Tuesdays at noon, VCSU
• Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals – 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church
• Barnes County Wildlife Federation – 2nd Wednesday of the month
• Grief Journeys for Adults Support Group – meet virtually, call Hospice at 701-845-1781 to take part

Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.