The South Dakota Board of Regents approved a proposal Wednesday to change the name of the University Center in Rapid City to Black Hills State University - Rapid City.
The proposal also includes plans to add more programming options for students in the area.
BHSU President Dr. Tom Jackson says the name change is consistent with current branding efforts by the university, and he says the expanded programming includes more certificates, associate degrees, and additional classes.
He says the changes offer students more accessibility and affordability.
“They will impact the student inside Rapid City who is place-bound and can’t come up the hill or can’t go east-river and wants to start their degree at a university. It will also impact high school students who are interested in dual-credit,” says Jackson.
Jackson says requests from students in Rapid City, along with decreased enrollment at universities across the state, increased competition, and a desire to get more South Dakotans enrolled in higher-ed institutions prompted the proposal.
The Rapid City location has traditionally offered courses from all six universities in the state – officials say they plan to continue to do so. BHSU is assuming responsibility for administration of the facility.
