Awareness of online phishing scams has increased, making the average email user more wary of opening and interacting with messages from unfamiliar addresses. Phishing scams attempt to gain private information by tricking recipients into opening false links or websites. However, students may miss important communications from the university due to a sender address that seems suspicious.

That’s why the University wants students to know that emails sent through Maxient are safe.

Community Standards and the Office of Residence Life at Drake University utilize a third-party email software called Maxient. It is a secure, web-based application that manages conduct records at universities and assists schools in sending out correspondence. Types of emails sent out through Maxient include meeting request letters, follow-ups involving conduct and non-conduct issues, sanction due date reminders, and overdue sanction letters.

In the “From:” field will be a Drake employee’s name, followed by “(via Maxient)” and the email address notifications@maxient.com.

Students receiving an initial email from Maxient will see a link to the letter sent from the University. The subject line should read, “IMPORTANT: A letter from the Drake University Dean of Students Office” or “IMPORTANT: A letter from the Drake University Office of Residence Life.”

Within the email’s text, students will be given a link to a login screen (“Pick up your letter”), by which they can access the correspondence letter that the university has sent. Then, recipients are directed to save the letter they have been sent and additional help links in case any issues arise.

If you receive an email from Maxient, this is a legitimate email from the University, and not part of a phishing scam.

For questions, email nick.shell@drake.edu.

— Nick Shell, Office of the Dean of Students