Regents push back on Noem's assertions that 'woke culture' rampant at S.D. public colleges

'They’re worthy of our trust,' House Majority Leader Will Mortenson said following Wednesday's roundtable discussion at Dakota State University

Board of Regents President Tim Rave, Vice President Jeff Partridge and Regent Pam Roberts listen as legislative leaders discuss their approach to working with the BOR. (Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

MADISON — South Dakota’s top officials in its regental university system do not share Gov. Kristi Noem’s concerns that “woke culture” is taking over the state’s public colleges.

In its first meeting since the Republican governor directed the South Dakota Board of Regents to take steps to stop “liberal ideologies” from taking over the six universities it oversees, BOR President Tim Rave pushed back on assertions that political activists have taken over South Dakota’s colleges.

“No is the short answer,” Rave said when asked if the Regents have seen evidence of overt political activism by university administrators or staff.

Those comments come less than a week after Noem penned a letter to the Regents calling for an an investigation into reports her office says were fielded by an anonymous “whistleblower” tip line, alleging mask shaming, racial-based learning and promotion of “transgender ideology.”

NEWS: Noem wants probe of S.D. colleges after tip line brings reports of mask shaming, racial directives, woke culture