Students interested in studying abroad in summer or fall 2016 should contact Drake International at x2084 for an advising appointment with Emily Enquist or Gretchen Beckley. You may also email studyabroad@drake.edu , or visit the International Center to pick up information and fill out an interest form.
Students with questions about the Horizons system can contact Annique Kiel, x3039 annique.kiel@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Drake International
Once a month this semester, in conjunction with L’Union des Français de l’Étranger (UFE-Iowa), Drake will host a Café Philosophique, or philosophical discussion. Students and French-speaking members of the Des Moines community will gather to discuss relevant topics and life questions, and voice opinions in a welcome, open environment—all in French!
Whether you wish to practice speaking in French or want the opportunity to listen to the French language, you are welcome to join. All gatherings will be in the Medbury Honors Lounge.
—Submitted by Drake International
Do you have a professional résumé? Can it compete with other résumés for your dream internship or job? Come and find out at the Résumé Critique tomorrow, Feb. 2, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in Upper Olmsted. Bring your résumé to be professionally reviewed. No appointment necessary. No dress code.
—Chrystal Stanley, PCDS/Academic Achievement Coordinator
Are you interning in Washington, D.C. this summer? Would you like to have your travel and housing accommodations covered? The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement provides housing and transportation to a Drake undergraduate student with financial need who has secured a summer internship in a congressional office, government agency, or nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. This scholarship is designed to expose the student to policymakers and the policymaking process, much as Senator Harkin experienced as an intern for Congressman Neal Smith in the summer of 1969, an experience that inspired Senator Harkin to pursue a career in public service.
An informational meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., at The Harkin Institute, 2429 University Ave. For more information or to obtain an application form, please contact Amy Beller at amy.beller@drake.edu or 515-271-2875.
—Submitted by Amy Beller, Project Manager, Harkin Institute
DESCRIPTION OF THE WRITING WORKSHOP: The workshop is staffed by peer tutors, all of whom have taken at least one course to train them and familiarize them with writing theory and pedagogy. Tutors help students identify areas of difficulty and work with them on a range of issues including fluency, organization, development, analysis, and argument. Tutors also help students copyedit their work as needed. Tutors do NOT write papers for students, nor do they simply act as proofreaders. All work on development and copy reading takes place within the context of the student’s own writing.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Students can sign up online at https://library.drake.edu/writing. This site is also linked to the English website. The website itself will give students directions on how to proceed. Typically, an appointment is for one half hour. Students can sign up for more than one session if they choose. They may also request that a tutor keep a regular time slot available for them if they would like to come in each week. If students are having difficulty signing up, have them call the Writing Workshop at 271-4712. They could also email me with any concerns (jody.swilky@drake.edu).
LOCATION: The Writing Workshop is located in
Cowles Library, Room 47, on the lower level. Hours:
COMMUNICATION WITH PROFESSORS: If you refer your student to the workshop, please let us know via email (jody.swilky@drake.edu). Have them bring the assignment they are responding to, as well as any writing they have done to complete the assignment. As part of the first visit, tutors always ask students if they have been referred. If a student is referred, the tutor will send an email letting you know that your student has attended and will briefly describe what work was done. If you do not receive an email from us, your student did not attend. If a student attends on his or her own, we do not inform professors unless the student specifically asks us to.
WORKSHOP SERVICES: In addition to tutoring students, workshop tutors are available to speak briefly to classes about the workshop. If you would like a tutor to come to your class, please call or email me. Please also feel free to call or email me with questions about writing, about working with students for whom English is not a first language, or with questions about any student who is having particular difficulty with writing.
—Submitted by Art Sanders on behalf of Jody Swilky, Writing Workshop Director
Drake International is in the process of hiring a new education abroad adviser. In the interim, students may email questions to studyabroad@drake.edu or make an advising appointment with Emily Enquist or Gretchen Beckley by calling x2084. They may also visit the International Center to pick up information and fill out an interest form.
Until a new person is hired and trained, Annique Kiel will make education abroad presentations to classes or at special events. Contact annique.kiel@drake.edu or call her at x3039. Annique is also available for questions about the Horizons system.
—Submitted by Drake International
Faculty Senate met Jan. 27. Highlights of the meeting included updates regarding the recent board of trustees meeting; approving the 2016–2017 spring break as March 13–17, 2017; and approving the 2019–2020 academic calendar. Faculty Senate’s next meeting is Feb. 17.
—Nancy Geiger, Student Information Analyst
A new University policy, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones and Model Aircraft)” is posted on the University-wide policy website for your review. Please forward comments and concerns regarding the policy to dupolicies@drake.edu. In keeping with the policy on Policy Development, Approval and Communication, the comments will be submitted as a part of the president’s review and approval process.
—Submitted by Andrea McDonough, Senior Administrative Services Specialist
In fall 2015, Finance and Drake Technology Services (now Information Technology Services (ITS)) organized a committee comprising members from around campus to review the current state of managed print at Drake, which is currently contracted with Xerox. Managed print encompasses 100 leased Xerox multifunctional printing devices (MFD) and 70-plus University-owned non-Xerox printers such as HP’s.
After identifying managed print issues and opportunities for improvement, members of the committee attended presentations by vendors—pre-qualified as able to offer a viable solution—to assess their capabilities. The committee has narrowed the original group to two companies that will be asked to do an assessment of campus and submit a proposal: Laser Resources, Inc., and Marco. This assessment will include mapping printer locations, tracking number of prints per machine, and discovering any additional unmet needs from the current devices.
Following is a rough timeline for the other activities in this initiative.
Once a vendor is selected, all leased Xerox MFDs will be replaced, but not the University-owned printers. The new vendor will be responsible for providing all machinery, ink, and repairs as needed.
We will continue to update you as we move forward in the process. Feel free to contact Chris Gill (chris.gill@drake.edu) or Caron Findlay (caron.findlay@drake.edu) with any questions regarding this initiative.
—Submitted by Kristin Dunn on behalf of Chris Gill, CITO, and Caron Findlay, Director Purchasing and Business Services
As classes get underway, it is important that the Drake community be reminded of a campus-wide policy that was introduced in the fall: In order to accommodate the needs of individuals with severe allergies that rise to the level of a disability, Drake may at times implement restrictions on allergens, including latex, milk, peanuts, and wheat (a full list of allergens can be found in the policy linked below). Such restrictions could include prohibition of certain food and drink in classrooms, residence halls, or other campus spaces.
At this juncture, no widespread restrictions are in place, so students, faculty, and staff may proceed as usual, unless otherwise notified. In the case that you are asked to abide by certain restrictions, we ask that you do so immediately and respectfully. Creating and maintaining a campus community inclusive of all is vital to ensuring every student, faculty member, and staff member feels welcome and safe at Drake. After all, we are all Bulldogs.
You may review the policy in its entirety here. For additional questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Laughlin, coordinator of student disabilities services, at michelle.laughlin@drake.edu or 271-1835.
—Submitted by Michelle Laughlin