The Engaged Citizen Documentary Film Series showing of Please Vote For Me, a look at an experiment in democracy in Chinese schools, will be shown on Tuesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. in Harvey Ingham 134. Click here for more information.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Enjoy a free performance in Sheslow Auditorium, March 23, at 7:30 p.m., featuring chamber and solo works for viola inspired by traditional songs and dances from Europe. Works will include pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and his son, W.F. Bach. Faculty member Diane Phoenix-Neal performs with guests Claudia Anderson, flute (Grinnell College); Deborah Dakin, viola (Augustana College); and Ian Moschenross, piano (Monmouth College).
—Diane Phoenix-Neal
Come listen to Glee’s Lauren Potter discuss growing up with Down Syndrome and have your questions answered in a Q&A session! The event is this Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. on Pomerantz Stage. Visit our Facebook event to learn more.
—Thomas Scearce
Drake students—save the date for this year’s Dogtown After Hours!
When? Friday April 1, 8 p.m. to midnight
Where? The Olmsted Center
Come and enjoy FREE food, fun, and entertainment! If you haven’t been following us on our Facebook page (Dogtown After Hours) or on our Twitter (@Drake_DTAH), we have been releasing sneak peaks of what you can enjoy on the night of the event. We have also released this year’s theme: “Pieces of Drake: A perfect fit.” Make sure to visit and like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to find out all the the exciting and amazing events we have planned for you. There will be something for everyone; after all, the students are the pieces that make Drake!
—Emma Haselhuhn
In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy “That Drake University extends to all instructors the ability to assign plus/minus grade modifiers in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs beginning with the Fall 2016 semester.” In order to prepare for the approaching implementation of the plus/minus grading policy, common questions about the new policy will be featured each week for the next several weeks. You can also access a full set of resources on the Student Records website.
Q: How will this affect my grade point average?
A: Grades will be assigned a corresponding quality point value according to the table below.
| Grade | Quality Points |
| A+ | 4.00 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
Q: I am a current student. Will the grades that I have earned up to this point be affected by this policy?
A: No. The policy applies only to courses offered in Fall 2016 and later. For example, if you earned a “B” in a Spring 2015 course, it will not change to a “B-“ or a “B+”.
Q: If I earned an ‘incomplete’ for a course taken before Fall 2016, but I complete my coursework during the Fall 2016 semester, can I earn a + or – grade for that course?
A: No, because the course was originally offered/taken in a semester prior to the Fall 2016 semester.
Stay tuned next week for more Q&A.
—Submitted by Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success
Today, March 21, is the last day to order your academic regalia for the lowest price if you plan to participate in the procession during Inauguration. (You can order after today, but the price will go up.) Any faculty or staff member can participate in the procession (must wear academic regalia). Whether you plan to participate in the procession or simply attend and sit in general seating, please RSVP to joseph.schneider@drake.edu. More information can be found at www.drake.edu/inauguration.
Continue your professional development, work towards the ELD Certificate, and learn how to manage change!
Change is constant. However, findings show that people don’t mind changes so much; they mind “being” changed. Take charge of the changes you find yourself in and learn tools to navigate through the “Four Step Change” process. Join Jul Bruns, Employee and Family Resources’ workplace services consultant, to learn how to respond positively to resistance and apply resiliency to grow and adapt. This will be held Thursday, March 24, 9–11 a.m., in Olmsted Center, Room 310-311.
Participants will receive two credits toward the Excellence in Learning & Development certificate. For the list of remaining programs, visit the Learning and Development site, accessible through blueView.
—Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits
Drake faculty and staff can enjoy lunch for just $5 at Hubbell Dining this Thursday, March 24, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring your Drake Card and enjoy a tasty meal—Hubbell will be featuring Indian cuisine!
—Jennifer Bowersox, Unit Marketing Coordinator, Sodexo
The deadline to register for the Reach the Beach Challenge is this Friday, April 1, at noon.
What is Reach the Beach?
It is a wellness program designed to get you moving. The goal is to get from International Falls, Minn., to Honolulu in four weeks, beginning Monday, April 4.
How does it work?
You simply participate in activities such as walking, bicycling, and group exercise classes and track your progress. Each activity converts to miles on the trail from International Falls to Los Angeles. To make it from Los Angeles to Honolulu you must earn healthy lifestyle points by making smart choices such as wearing a seatbelt and getting enough sleep. Along the way you will receive health tips, recipes, and optional challenges for bonus miles.
Why should I participate?
How do I get started?
Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Reach the Beach”. Make sure to include your contact information. Deadline to register is noon on Friday, April 1.
A packet of information will be sent to you. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, April 4.
Contact Linda with questions.
—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement
Join us Thursday, March 31, at 10 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Room 310, for a TIAA Interactive Education Workshop, “Money at Work.”
TIAA Senior Consultant Paige Cook will review the foundations of investing and help you sharpen your investment skills during this workshop. You will discover how to:
Reservations are not required.
—Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits