All posts by Aaron Jaco

Strategic Updates Archive

Updates from the Title IX Office

Drake University has launched a new Title IX website.  Phase I of the website development is complete and offers contact information, reporting options, policies and procedures, resources, and ways to find or offer help for a survivor. Title IX Coordinator Kathryn Overberg will continue adding to the site this spring and summer, but the site is live and ready for use!

You will also find a new resource guide available for a quick reference of reporting and resource options as well as a summary of the student adjudication process.  You can find the resource guide on the Title IX website—use the guide for your own information or as a way to offer support to a friend.

There is a new way to contact the Title IX office as well: TitleIX@drake.edu.

Finally, remember that Drake now offers a confidential advocate on campus  during the semester on Tuesdays 2:30–4:30 p.m. in Cowles Library, Room 109. The final date this semester will be May 10 and will then resume in the Fall semester. At other times students or employees can call or text the VIP hotline at 515-512-2972 for referral to a confidential advocate.

—Kathryn Overberg

Campus Announcements Archive

All In Campaign kicks off tomorrow!

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The All In campaign is this week, May 10-11, noon to noon. The challenges have been posted, so see what hilarious tasks some familiar faces will be completing: www.drake.edu/all-in/. All In is an all-online fundraising campaign for The Drake Fund that includes both on- and off-campus solicitations. There are several “challenges” throughout the 24 hours, and when goals are met, faculty and staff from across campus will take part in video-recorded entertaining activities, such as performing an interpretive dance.

Remember to wear jeans and your Drake Blue both days to show off your school spirit. Join your colleagues for the last Drake Social of the academic year on May 10 in the Shivers Hospitality Suite from 4 to 6 p.m. Griff will make special appearance from 5 to 6 p.m. at the social.

You can participate in the following ways:

  • Start by going All In and giving to The Drake Fund on May 10–11, noon to noon.
  • Tell your friends why you’ve given to The Drake Fund using #DrakeALLIN on Twitter and Instagram.
  • Get a new cover photo and profile picture from the All In Facebook page to show everyone you’re All In.
  • Encourage your friends to give (via Facebook, Twitter, email, courier pigeon) so you can see your favorite people on campus complete the hilarious tasks we’ve set up for them.

—Niki Smith, Digital Media Strategist

News & Achievements Archive

Oreon E. Scott award winner honored

When Brytani Cavil addresses Drake University’s graduating class of 2016 as the top graduating senior, she aims to inspire her fellow students—and set an example for her two-year-old twins.

Brytani Cavil, a senior marketing major in the College of Business and Public Administration and single mother of two, recently received the Oreon E. Scott award, given annually by Drake University to one outstanding senior student. She will be a featured speaker at the 140th Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 15. To learn more about this incredible student, visit the Drake Newsroom.

For Staff Archive

Applause for Sapphire Award winners

Members of Drake’s staff gathered on April 19 in Levitt Hall for refreshments, connection, original spoken word poetry by Drake junior Anthony Pawnell, and “True Blue” peer recognition. Staff members and teams who received All Staff Council’s “Called to be True Blue” awards—through nominations from staff, faculty, and students—were in the running for a Sapphire Award. Earning top honors at the event were:

Individual Sapphire Award—Shelley Hurst, Senior Student Records Systems Coordinator, Office of Student Records; nominated separately by Carla McCrea and Jill Brimeyer. Shelley was recognized for her exceptional customer service and for consistently going above and beyond to take care of needs with promptness, kindness, professionalism, and a high level of accountability. Shelley received a blue phone.

Team Sapphire Award—Office of Alumni Relations, nominated by Alyssa Young. The team was nominated for their continued excellence in support of 2015 Drake Relays activities for alumni. The year had been a particularly challenging one due to a lean staff and several new team members, but everyone pitched in to produce great alumni events that promote positive alumni connection to the University. The team received a traveling bulldog statue trophy and a plaque.

Other 2015–2016 “Called to be True Blue” winners include JoBeth Malone-Schoneberg, Frank Pucher, Sara Schonebert, Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Chrystal Stanley, Tony Tyler, Melissa Sturm-Smith, Tyler Spoon, and the Political Visitor Team.

Do you know of an individual or team we missed who exemplifies the ideals of excellence, learning, integrity, citizenship, and/or fiscal responsibility? Nominate them for a “Called to be True Blue” award!

—Submitted by All Staff Council

Featured Events Archive

Fine Arts events: Week of May 2

Monday, May 2
Drake Jazz Ensemble II, James Romain, director
7:30 p.m.
Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center

Chamber Strings Ensemble Concert
7:30 p.m.
Sheslow Auditorium

Tuesday, May 3
Percussion Ensemble Concert
7:30 p.m.
Performing Arts Hall

Wednesday, May 4
Drake Orchestra Concert, Akira Mori, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sheslow Auditorium

Thursday, May 5
Junior Recital, Grant Simmons, percussion
7:30 p.m.
Performing Arts Hall

Friday, May 7
Senior Recital, Valeria Zamaraeva, musical theatre
7:30 p.m.
Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center

For Students Archive

Thank you for feedback on printing at Drake

Thanks to the 150 students who completed the ITS printing survey. We appreciate your feedback and are making the following changes to improve the overall printing process on campus:

  • Over the summer, all managed printers and copiers (Xerox) will be replaced.
  • The list of printers in PaperCut will be combined into two print queues, one color and one black and white, which will reduce the number of print jobs that are accidentally run in the wrong format.
  • All devices will have Follow Me printing so your document won’t be printed until you release it a printer. This will allow you to print at any device on campus and minimize the number of documents that get stuck in queue and hold up subsequent print jobs.

Watch for regular updates into the fall semester on the progress of this project, and on ITS’ other major projects at its.drake.edu/major-projects and in OnCampus and other media.

—Carla Herling, IT Communications Manager

Campus Announcements Archive

ITS classroom and Sheslow technology upgrades

Information Technology Services staff has recently completed classroom technology updates in Harvey Ingham 004 and Medbury 116. They are currently working on Olin 343 and will be starting work in Howard 111 at the end of May.

ITS will also be updating the audio and video systems in Sheslow Auditorium in July. Because of scheduling, these upgrades will be made in two phases, from July 5 to 12 and then again from July 14 to 29. Updates to these projects will be regularly posted on its.drake.edu/major-projects.

—Carla Herling, IT Communications Manager

Campus Announcements Archive

Update from the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment

The Graduation Rate Report is online now! Want information on the graduation rate?  You can find it on the OIRA website. This includes information about the four- and six-year graduation rate, how we compare to our peers, and retention rates. As always, if you need anything from OIRA, please fill out the Request for Information form on our site.

—Sandra Harris, Administrative Assistant 2

Campus Announcements Archive

From the Provost: Week of April 25

May Commencement Ceremonies

The commencement ceremonies for those students graduating at the end of this semester will be held in the Knapp Center on Saturday, May 15 (law) and Sunday, May 15 (undergraduate and graduate), at the times listed below.   Out of respect for the students who have earned their degrees, I strongly encourage you to attend the appropriate event. 

Law:  Saturday, May 14, 7 p.m.

Undergraduate, Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m.

Graduate:  Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m.

If you are planning on attending the undergraduate and/or graduate ceremonies, please RSVP—no later than noon, Tuesday, May 10—to http://2016springcommencementregistration.eventbrite.com

Because the Law School has a separate ceremony, Law faculty should notify your dean’s office directly. 

Learning Symposium

I am pleased to invite you to register for the 2016 Drake University Learning Symposium. There is an exciting array of sessions—from creating inclusive working and learning environments to language across the curriculum, intercultural development inventory, and examining the lived experiences of students of color at Drake, among several others.  The hardest part of registration will be limiting yourself to just two sessions. If you are needing a break from the end of the semester activities, please take 5-10 minutes to register. The Learning Symposium is sponsored through a partnership with the Sheraton West Des Moines and hosted by the Office of the Provost.  

2016 Learning Symposium: “Inclusive Excellence ”
August 19 , 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sheraton West Des Moines—1800 50th Street, West Des Moines

Register and select the sessions you would like to attend—space is limited by the size of the rooms: https://2016drakelearningsymposium.eventbrite.com

 We hope you join us at the Symposium to welcome our new provost into the learning community that is Drake University. 

Provost Mobile Office Hour 

Due to the number of events next week, I will be unable to hold my roaming office hour.  My next scheduled mobile office hour is Tuesday, May 3, 10:30 a.m.–noon, Cowles Cafe.

—Joe Lenz, Interim Provost