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Pond Student Union Building

News and Updates

Check out the latest and greatest things happening within the Dean of Students Office! 

Benny's Giving Tree

November 2025

Benny's Giving Tree

The Office of the Dean of Students is sponsoring the 2025 Benny's Giving Tree Project.

Through the Benny's Giving Tree Project, currently enrolled ISU student families, that are in need of assistance, can receive gifts for their children during the holidays. Nominations open Monday, November 3, 2025. To nominate a child, fill out the 2025 Benny's Giving Tree Nomination Form by Friday, November 14, 2025. 
 
To sponsor a child, take a "Benny's" tag from the holiday tree located in the Pond Student Union Building by the Campus Connection desk. Once you have picked up the tag(s) you select, please follow the listed instructions. Tag selection must be completed by Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
 
Gifts for children 18 and younger can be dropped off in the Dean of Students Office, Pond Student Union Building Hypostyle, room 204 by Monday, December 8, 2025.
 
Parents may pick up their child's gifts in the Heritage Room in the Pond Student Union Building starting Monday, December 15, through Wednesday, December 17, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
 
For students in Meridian, please contact 208-373-1706 for specific details about gift donation and pick up.
 
Please contact us at (208) 282-2794 or deanofstudents@isu.edu with any questions or to get more information.

New Hazing Policy

Students cheering at ICCU Dome

June 2025

The Dean of Students Office has been working with a technical working group on campus to develop a new hazing policy. We are happy to announce that Hazing Prevention and Response ISUPP #1170 is now live and in effect! As part of our educational efforts and to maintain compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, we have also created a hazing website with resources, a hazing reporting link, and other helpful tools.  In the coming year we will continue adding trainings and resources for this important policy. We invite you to take a look. 

Benny's Pantry News

Benny's Pantry is lucky to have such amazing student workers. Rachel Nielsen has been a student employee and a CPI for the pantry and has helped us re-imagine what ISU's pantry could and should look like. 

May 19, 2025

"The food that I bought just didn’t last, and I didn’t have money to get more.”

This quote from a student survey illustrates what many students at ISU face, and the driving force behind Rachel Nielsen's recent research on food insecurity at Idaho State University. Nielsen, now a student working towards a master's degree in public administration in the Department of Political Science, has worked as the Benny's Pantry student manager for nearly two years. Her devotion to non-profit work around food security led to a research initiative in collaboration with Shin Kue Ryu, Ph.D., associate professor of political science. Together, they investigated the growing problem of food insecurity among Generation Z students in their study, “College Campus Food Insecurity: Updating Solutions for Gen Z.”

Finish reading this article!

Benny's Pantry Support

The College of Arts and Letters Advisory Board has supported Benny's Pantry all year. Thanks to their thoughtful and continuous support, the pantry has had additional support in keeping the shelves stocked. 

November 4, 2024

At Idaho State University (ISU), a quiet yet powerful initiative is making a significant difference in the lives of students. Benny’s Pantry started as a vision in 2014 and has grown into a vital resource for those facing food insecurity within the ISU community. The College of Arts and Letters Dean’s Advisory Board (DAB) has recognized the importance of this mission and is committed to supporting Benny’s Pantry in its efforts to alleviate hunger among students.

Sharon Price, president of the DAB, recently joined Lesa Crawford, the dedicated manager of the pantry, on a shopping trip to gather supplies. Thanks to generous donations from DAB members, faculty members, and the community, they were able to stock up on essential non-perishable food and hygiene items, ensuring that the pantry will remain well-equipped in these areas for at least another month. Finish reading this article!