Rescind Noem's Offer of Honorary Degree and Invitation to Speak at Commencement
Rescind Noem's Offer of Honorary Degree and Invitation to Speak at Commencement
The Issue
Petition to rescind offer of honorary degree and invitation to speak Kristi Noem’s at Dakota State University
Kristi Noem, former Governor of South Dakota and current Secretary of Homeland Security, has caused irreparable harm to individuals, families, and the core principles of democracy. As Governor, she was banned from all nine Indigenous tribes in South Dakota, raised taxes on the working class, undermined constitutionally protected freedoms in higher education, misused private funds to deploy the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border, and is under investigation for the misuse of state funds. Noem has relentlessly attacked the rights, dignity, and safety of South Dakota’s LGBTQ+ and trans communities, using her power to fuel discrimination and division.
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem’s policies have inflicted further damage: separating families, unlawfully detaining U.S. citizens without charges, kidnapping individuals on U.S. soil and transferring them to prisons in El Salvador, detaining international students without criminal cause, and dismantling programs that supported long-term immigrant residents. Her actions have violated due process, eroded freedom of speech, and sparked a constitutional crisis.
Awarding Kristi Noem an honorary degree at Dakota State University's commencement on May 10, 2025, would be an endorsement of her record of human rights violations and contempt for democratic values. We, the undersigned, who believe in due process, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, urge Dakota State University to rescind its invitation for Noem to speak and decline to award her an honorary degree.
Honorary degrees should reflect the university’s foundational principles of integrity, inclusion, innovation, clear communication and quality, not be a reward for notoriety and political favor.
Or Call DSU @ 605-270-3816
4,649
The Issue
Petition to rescind offer of honorary degree and invitation to speak Kristi Noem’s at Dakota State University
Kristi Noem, former Governor of South Dakota and current Secretary of Homeland Security, has caused irreparable harm to individuals, families, and the core principles of democracy. As Governor, she was banned from all nine Indigenous tribes in South Dakota, raised taxes on the working class, undermined constitutionally protected freedoms in higher education, misused private funds to deploy the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border, and is under investigation for the misuse of state funds. Noem has relentlessly attacked the rights, dignity, and safety of South Dakota’s LGBTQ+ and trans communities, using her power to fuel discrimination and division.
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem’s policies have inflicted further damage: separating families, unlawfully detaining U.S. citizens without charges, kidnapping individuals on U.S. soil and transferring them to prisons in El Salvador, detaining international students without criminal cause, and dismantling programs that supported long-term immigrant residents. Her actions have violated due process, eroded freedom of speech, and sparked a constitutional crisis.
Awarding Kristi Noem an honorary degree at Dakota State University's commencement on May 10, 2025, would be an endorsement of her record of human rights violations and contempt for democratic values. We, the undersigned, who believe in due process, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, urge Dakota State University to rescind its invitation for Noem to speak and decline to award her an honorary degree.
Honorary degrees should reflect the university’s foundational principles of integrity, inclusion, innovation, clear communication and quality, not be a reward for notoriety and political favor.
Or Call DSU @ 605-270-3816
4,649
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on April 27, 2025