PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – During an appearance before the Joint Committee on Appropriations, University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring and Representative Taffy Howard of Rapid City engaged in a dialogue over diversity in higher education.

Howard referenced a report from Princeton University on systemic racism on university campuses.

Howard asked Gestring about the imbalance of female to male students at USD.

Howard pressed Gestring about efforts to recruit more male students.

The legislature has mandated the Board of Regents document the diversity efforts at all their institutions.