University Relations

Questions? Contact Us.


Office of University Relations
May Hall, Room 318

dsu.communications@dickinsonstate.edu

Call 701-502-4441

If you’re a journalist looking for information about Dickinson State or for an expert to interview for a story, our team can help. Our University Relations office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MT) Monday-Friday. Weekends and evenings, reporters can reach a DSU delegate after hours by calling.

We produce a range of stories and photos about faculty, staff, and student achievements and events. You are welcome to use this content with permission. Here are some guidelines for content use:

  • You cannot reproduce any DSU logos or image marks without specific permission. When permission is granted, please utilize the DSU Logo Guide for information on correct colors and image use.
  • You can't edit our material, except to reflect relative changes in time, location, and editorial style. (For example, “yesterday” can be changed to “last week.”)
  • You cannot republish our photographs without specific permission. For photo permissions, please email University Relations.
  • You have to credit us – ideally in the byline. We prefer “DSU University Relations.”
  • We do not generally permit translation of our stories into another language.

History

  • Dickinson State Normal School was established in 1916 by a constitutional amendment approved by North Dakotan voters.
  • Classes began in 1918 with a two-year program designed to train elementary and secondary school teachers.
  • In 1931, four-year degrees were offered for the first time under the school’s new name: Dickinson State Teachers College.
  • In recognition of the school’s broadened curriculum, Dickinson State Teachers College became Dickinson State College in 1963.
  • University status was granted to the school in 1987.

Students

Campus Holdings

  • The residential facilities and traditional face-to-face classes and activities of Dickinson State University are located on a beautiful 132-acre campus in the city after which the university is named. Visit the About DSU page to learn more about the university.

Visit our campus leadership page to find additional information about members of the President’s Cabinet.

The Office of University Relations, in conjunction with the Office of Information Technology, handles requests for information and/or documents under the North Dakota Open Records and Meetings Law. Requests should be submitted to the Office of University Relations.

https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/open-records-meetings

Access to records is generally free. DSU may charge up to 25¢ a page for copies on standard letter or legal size paper. For other records (photos, maps, etc.), DSU may charge the actual cost of making the copy, including labor, materials and equipment. DSU will inform you if other statutes authorize a different fee. The first hour of locating requested records (including electronic records) is free. After the first hour, the entity may charge up to $25/hr for locating records. DSU also may charge up to $25/hr (after the first hour) for the time it takes to redact any exempt or confidential information. Generally, electronic records are provided at no cost. However, if providing electronic records takes more than one hour the entity may charge the actual cost incurred by Information Technology resources to access and copy the records. This is in addition to charges for locating and redacting. DSU may charge for postage to mail the records (and will need a name and address for mailing purposes). DSU can require payment of estimated costs before copying or releasing the requested records.

Submission Options:

Mail: DSU University Relations, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601

Email: dsu.communications@dickinsonstate.edu

We welcome media to our campus. We encourage members of the media who plan to be on campus to notify the Office of University Relations so we can help facilitate the visit. 

As a public institution, we provide the news media reasonable access to campus. However, we may regulate media access so as not to disrupt teaching or research and to protect the health and safety of students and staff. We will also work to protect the privacy of students and others who live on campus and will comply with state and federal laws on student and personnel data.

The following guidelines pertain to media access to DSU-owned or -controlled property. These guidelines apply to any individual or group conducting interviews, making audio or video recordings, or taking photographs for distribution to the public via commercial or non-commercial news and information outlets, including the Internet.

  • Media vehicles must be parked legally. See Media Parking below for more information.
  • Equipment must not damage DSU property.
  • Equipment, vehicles, and personnel must not restrict traffic or access to buildings and fire lanes.
  • Additional restrictions on the use of television cameras, still cameras, flash photography, and other special lighting and audio equipment may be implemented on a case-by-case basis. This is to minimize disruption and protect safety and security. If security is an issue, these items may be subject to inspection.

Non-Restricted Areas

The media are generally permitted to film or otherwise have access to spaces on campus that are open to the public, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. This includes access during regular operating hours to any building or portion of a building that is open to the public.

  • All campus outdoor sidewalks, green spaces, and parking lots are open to the media.
  • Campus events, such as lectures and forums, that are free and open to the public, are open to the media. Restrictions may be placed on cameras, lights, flash photography, and other equipment to minimize disruption. Advance notice or credentials may be required.
  • Corridors and common areas within DSU laboratory and classroom buildings are open to the media.
  • Common areas within the DSU Student Center are open to the media; individual offices are not. If a reporter wishes to enter a private office, he or she must get permission from the person who works in that office. Members of the media are encouraged to contact the Office of University Relations to facilitate a visit to ensure that disruptions are kept to a minimum.
  • Faculty, staff, or student offices or labs are not public. Permission to enter must be granted by the person or persons who work in that office or laboratory.
  • Classrooms are open to the media if not occupied. If a class is in session, permission for media access must be granted by the person teaching the class.

Restricted Areas

Media are allowed in the following locations only with express permission from an administrative authority and only with an officially designated DSU escort:

  • Residential areas.
  • Athletic locker and training room venues, including Wienbergen Gym, Scott Gym, Biesiot Activities Center, and the Indoor Arena.
  • Inside the library, TR Center, or other areas where quiet study is enforced or where collections may be endangered by media activity or equipment.
  • Inside any venue charging admission, unless the individual is a paid ticket holder. In these cases, members of the media must abide by the policies applicable to all ticket holders.
  • Inside private functions that are not open to the public.
  • Inside any DSU facility that is not open to the public, including the Heat Plant, other utility operations, maintenance, and repair facilities.
  • Any marked construction area, crime scene, or hazardous or unsafe location.

  • The intent of parking guidelines is to help control and reduce the amount of illegal and improper parking on campus by holding offenders accountable for their actions. Illegal parking reduces the amount of available parking and is unfair to those who have purchased permits and properly adhere to Parking Regulations. 
  • Any motorized vehicle operated on DSU property is subject to regulations governing parking at the institution. The operation of a motor vehicle on university property is a privilege granted by DSU and is not an inherent right of any faculty/staff member, student, or visitor. 
  • Clearly marked news media vehicles may have access to parking on campus for reporting purposes. News media vehicles may not park in any spot marked “reserved.” This includes handicapped accessible parking spots (unless the journalist’s vehicle displays a state-issued handicap parking permit). 
  • If your vehicle is not clearly marked as affiliated with news media, please contact Campus Safety to obtain a visitor permit. 701-290-1068 dsu.publicsafety@dickinsonstate.edu
  • Vehicles may not block building entrances, pedestrian pathways, or emergency vehicle access. 
  • Media are asked to contact Campus Safety to make special parking arrangements for satellite trucks.
  • When the university schedules a news conference, or expects heavy media traffic on campus, we will notify parking enforcement and include parking information in a media advisory.

Visit our logos page for more information about our logos and branding guidelines. 

Advertising (regardless of medium) must be approved by the Office of University Relations (May Hall 318). Job postings should be submitted to Career Development 701-483-2290 or email dsu.careerdev@dickinsonstate.edu.

Advertising must meet one of these requirements to be approved:

  • Sponsored by a recognized DSU club/organization or an official DSU event
  • Held on the DSU campus
  • Sponsored by a local healthcare organization
  • Sponsored by the Dickinson Parks and Recreation department
  • Affiliated with the DSU Heritage Foundation, Edgewood Hawks Point, the TR Center, the Theodore Roosevelt Library Foundation Board, or the Biesiot Activities Center
  • “For Sale” item(s) by a DSU student
  • Medical benefit for DSU community member

Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Office of University Relations. Any advertising not approved by the Office of University Relations will be removed.