Rebuilding the Viking Community Spirit

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Develop and implement programs that encourage student participation in campus events and activities, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and Viking pride.

Phase II:

• Increase collaboration with the Chapel Staff and Interfaith Council to promote faith-based learning practices. 

• Collaborate with the Athletics Department to develop targeted engagement strategies to increase awareness and boost attendance at the athletic events. 

• Support the sport clubs with necessary logistics uncovered by their recurring allocations to support their operations. These include clubs that are struggling from bouncing back from the covid-19 pandemic like soccer club, bike club, and others as advised by the Rec Services. 

• Explore and initiate potential partnerships within the broader Sioux Falls community such as local businesses and nonprofits to provide service-learning opportunities that align with the student’s interests.   

• Explore partnerships with local restaurants and off-campus dining options to enhance the student experience by providing diverse culinary choices to foster community engagement and support local businesses.

Phase III:

• Collaborate with the Athletics Department and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee to promote and support events that connect athletics with other campus organizations, fostering a sense of community spirit among students. Additionally, proactively listening and acting to address concerns from student athletes through periodic assessments with SAAC. 

• Collaborate on a Late Night event with the Recreation Services Department aimed at increasing voter turnout and participation of non-traditional students on campus.  

• Collaborate with businesses and organizations to create long-term internship opportunities for students and promote community integration. 

• Explore the potential for the off-campus use of dining dollars in restaurants and outlets to provide students with greater flexibility in their dining choices. 

Implement targeted initiatives to rebuild community engagement and student spirit on campus, including hosting events, workshops, and social gatherings that encourage participation and foster connections among students to restore the vibrant Viking community stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Year Round:

• Integrate faith-based practices with key moments to align Augustana’s spiritual traditions with learning experiences guided by faith and reflection.

• By March 2025, begin an investment plan to revive the big event of the Union Board of Governors lost in the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21.  

• Periodically recognize and reward students, faculty, and staff who exemplify the core values of responsibility and respect through leadership and community engagement.

KEY SUCCESSES: 

• The reintroduction of the Devotion/Reflection hour during ASA meetings and reaffirmation of ASA's commitment to the university's Christian core value. 

• President Johnston and Vice President Adhikari have been periodically attending the Chapel worship hours and other events hosted by the Office of Faith and Spiritual Life and increasing collaboration between the Chapel Staff and the Interfaith Council. 

• The establishment of the Ole Advantage Loyalty Points Program. This program rewards students for attending athletic events from the end of November through April. The top five students who attended the most events will win flight vouchers, popular sports branding clothes, and Augustana Athletics merchandise. Additionally, the President and Vice President have also extended partnership with the Student Life Advisory Committee (SAAC) for athletic engagement on campus. 

•  The establishment of the ASA History and Heritage Conservation Initiative which seeks to celebrate and document our student-led organization. This is a fellowship program that invites five students to explore and conserve the vibrant history of student governance since ASA’s founding in 1922. 

• Collaboration on a Late-Night event with the Recreational Services Staffs in April 2025. ASA is extending monetary and marketing support for the cross collaboration between the two entities. 

• The exploration of different business and investment models for the revival of Union Board of Governors (UBG)'s Big Event has begun. The President and Vice President are working with Treasurer Noah Everson, the Office of Student Engagement and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to potentially begin investments by March 2025 and revive the event in Spring of 2026. 

• The President and Vice President, in coordination with the Human and Public Relations Committee led by Senator Julie Seeley (AL) are hosting a Mid-Year Update event with the same name as the magazine "Fellaskaap" on February 11th, 2025, to share progress on the strategic plan, and also recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the campus community, and celebrate the Viking spirit. This event will serve as an opportunity to foster collaboration and engagement among the student body, with invitations extended to all student organizations, ASA officials, and key stakeholders. It promises to be a moment of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to our collective goals.