All posts by Aaron Jaco

Smoke Free Campus Environment

Drake University complies with the Iowa Smoke Free Air Act and prohibits smoking on the Drake campus. Drake policy also prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on campus, with the exception of performing arts performances in which e-cigarettes may be utilized by actors as part of a theatrical production.

For purposes of this prohibition, the Drake campus includes:

  • All buildings on campus—residential hall rooms and common areas; work areas, private offices, conference and meeting rooms; classrooms, auditoriums, lounges, and cafeterias; stairways, hallways, and other enclosed spaces
  • All property maintained by Drake University, including leased and owned property, athletics fields, sidewalks, and parking lots
  • Seating areas of outdoor sporting events, stadium, and other outdoor entertainment venues
  • All vehicles owned, leased, or rented by Drake University
  • All vehicles when parked on University property

All students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors are responsible for observing the provisions of this policy.

Smoke Free Campus Environment policy and FAQ (Note: You may be directed to sign in to blueView to access this information.)

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

24-hour annual fund giving campaign

In its third year, the 2016 All In campaign has been set for May 10–11, from noon to noon. In 2015, the campaign raised $101,100 from 285 donors, 14 of whom were first-time donors. All of that in only 24 hours.

This year we will feature a challenge for each Annual Fund designation, and you might see some familiar faces in the campaign.

For now, you can like the Facebook page and encourage other Bulldogs to do the same, bookmark the All In website, and watch OnCampus for updates. We will announce the 2016 campaign challenges in April.

—Submitted by Niki Smith, Digital Media Specialist

Comparison Project lecture March 3

Please join us for the second spring semester event of our 2015–2016 series on death and dying—a lecture by Christopher Chapple, Navin and Pratima Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola Marymount University, about the “Fast unto Death” in the Indian religion of Jainism.  The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on March 3 at 7 p.m. in Sussman Theater (lower level of the Olmsted Center).

The Jain tradition has observed a practice known as Sallekhana or Santhara, through which one willingly foregoes food and hydration toward the end of one’s life in order to pass peacefully into a new life.  Chapple will give details about the process and the history of Sallekhana. He will also explore the correlations of this fast unto death with the hospice and “right to die” movements in contemporary America.

Chapple is a specialist in the religions of India; he has published twenty books on aspects of Yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as religion and ecology. He serves on the advisory boards of the Ahimsa Center, the Forum on Religion and Ecology, and the International School for Jain Studies.

Drake among top producers of Peace Corps volunteers

Drake University has made its debut on the Peace Corps’ annual Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list, ranking No. 23 among small universities, the agency announced this week. Currently, there are eight Drake alumni serving overseas as Peace Corps volunteers.

This is the first year that the university has made Peace Corps’ Top Colleges list, which categorizes small universities as those with fewer than 5,000 undergraduate students. Since the agency was created in 1961, 269 Drake alums have served overseas. To learn more, visit the Drake Newsroom.

Drake breaks ground on Collier-Scripps Hall

Drake University held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday, Feb. 27, for the University’s first new academic building in 20 years. Collier-Scripps Hall is a $15 million, 50,000 square-foot facility that will house the University’s School of Education, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center. For more information, visit the Drake Newsroom.

Review finalists for managed print

Drake has selected two finalists for our Managed Print Refresh. Each finalist will showcase a representative selection of the printers proposed for our solution and answer questions you may have regarding this equipment. If you are interested in the new equipment possibilities, please come by and take a look. Light refreshments will be served.

The dates for these open houses, to be held in Levitt Hall, are:
Tuesday, March 8, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Vendor: Marco)
Thursday, March 10, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Vendor: LRI)

Global Learning Scholarships now available

Global Learning Scholarships are available for students who are studying abroad, participating in global service-learning, or participating in experiential learning abroad. These scholarships are designed to enable students to reach their full potential as responsible global citizens. Scholarships are open to students studying abroad Summer 2016, Fall 2016, or J-Term 2017. These are need-based scholarships. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 22. For more information, or to apply, visit this link. If you have any questions please contact Maria Rohach, global learning program coordinator, at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

— Submitted by Maria Rohach

Be True Blue Today, Win a Sapphire in April

Have you encountered a Drake staff member or even a whole office or team who practices excellence, learning, integrity, citizenship, and/or fiscal responsibility? Nominate them for All-Staff Council’s Called to be True Blue Award today at www.drake.edu/asc/recognition.

All True Blue recipients nominated before Friday, March 18, will be in the running to receive All-Staff Council’s highest recognition for staff members at Drake—a Sapphire Award. Mark your calendar for the Sapphire Awards Show, held Tuesday, April 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Levitt Hall.

— Submitted by All-Staff Council

Roundtable: “Feminist Perspectives on Trigger Warnings and Academic Freedom”

A True Blue Leader: Melissa Sturm-Smith

Melissa Smith, True Blue Award winner, with her nominator Bryan Thomas.
Melissa Smith, Drake’s newest Called to be True Blue Award winner, with her colleague Bryan Thomas.

Melissa Sturm-Smith, associate provost for academic excellence and student success, was honored Feb. 9 with the Called to be True Blue Award. In nominating her, Melissa’s colleague wrote:

“Melissa has shown exemplary leadership as a supervisor, colleague, and supporter for all students, faculty, and staff. She never takes any credit for her hard work and dedication. Whether it’s working with Welcome Weekend, Dean’s Council, SDAT, etc., she embodies what it means to be an effective and humble leader. I can’t think of anyone here at Drake who cares about the well being of their staff and colleagues more than her. I hear students say that they want to be ‘Just like Melissa.’ If that isn’t True Blue then I don’t know what is.”

Melissa was surprised at a meeting and awarded a certificate and gift card, and is now in the running, along with other True Blue Award winners from this fiscal year, to win top honors for staff accomplishment at the All-Staff Council Sapphire Awards event April 19.

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today! The nomination form is available online.

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee