The NDSU Equine Science Program is home to many students with different backgrounds. The program has numerous unique opportunities that give students the chance to dive into what they are passionate about. Students can learn more about how to be successful in an industry that is ever evolving and changing. The Equine Science Program is a major drawing point for many students to come to NDSU. With our incredibly knowledgeable faculty and our hands on approach to learning about the equine industry, NDSU offers experiences you cannot get anywhere else.  

          North Dakota State University has just implemented a severe budget cut effective Fall Semester 2023. With this budget cut, Tara Swanson's position is being eliminated.  Within her position, she teaches numerous Equine Science classes, coaches the NDSU Western Equestrian Team, and is an advisor for the NDSU Horseman’s Association. Tara is the heart of the undergraduate Equine Science Program and has been teaching at NDSU for over 16 years. Without Tara’s position, many of the unique and core opportunities within the Equine Science program do not exist. Every program within Equine Science is threatened by this budget cut. Without Tara's position, the Equine Science program will not survive.

           NDSU claims it is a student focused university that promotes a feeling of self belonging. Tara makes this statement a reality for an overwhelming number of students in and outside of the Equine Science program. She is the reason many students feel as though they belong here and have a safe place to express themselves and be around those who are passionate about the same things as them. With the elimination of Tara's position, you are taking away so many feelings of belonging, which completely goes against the mission of NDSU.

         The NDSU Equestrian team is an opportunity for students with all different kinds of knowledge and experience to come together and compete and learn about horsemanship. It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity where you learn how to ride incredibly different kinds of horses and learn from someone who has what seems to be an endless amount of knowledge about the equine industry. College can be a difficult time being away from home and what you are used to. For many of us, horses have been a huge part of our lives for as long as we can remember. At most colleges, you do not have the opportunity to continue to ride horses and compete, which can be a major drawback for students coming in. Most of the people on the team chose NDSU for the equestrian teams and opportunities. Most of us toured the equine facility before even stepping foot on campus. The team could not exist without Tara and all she has done to encourage, coach, teach, and inspire us to not only be better competitors, but also better students, horsemen, and generally better and more well-rounded people. Terminating Tara Swanson will negatively impact so many students at NDSU and could possibly be one of the most detrimental budget cuts you could make, because she and everything she teaches is worth so much more than her salary.  

         On behalf of NDSU equestrian teams and students of the Animal Science Department, we are asking you to please sign this petition to show your support and save the NDSU Equine Science program.  

Isabella Jurgens (Junior) receiving an award for undergraduate research.

 

NDSU Western Team Members

 

Brenna Anderson (Junior) Joslin Forness (Senior)

 

Michaela Long and Sarah Schutt (Seniors)

 

Joslin Forness (Senior)

Kooper Shagena (Junior)