All posts by Aaron Jaco

Strategic Updates Archive

DTS campus update

As we approach the end of the year and my first semester as CITO, I want to provide you with a status update on some of the DTS accomplishments this fall as well as a sense of our priorities for 2016.

  • We have reallocated funds and returned to a model of direct support for schools and colleges and have hired a new classroom improvement specialist. Searches are also underway for a project manager and a help desk manager.
  • Budget planning has resulted in detailed, itemized information on current and future expenditures and the creation of a high-level infrastructure replacement plan.
  • Technology in seven classrooms and the Legal Clinic have been renewed with plans and funding in place to renew an additional seven to eight classrooms in the Spring semester.
  • We have built a redundant data center environment in Shakopee, Minn., for disaster recovery purposes, which should result in fewer future Internet outages. We have also worked with 24 departments to review their business-continuity plans.
  • In order to improve our Banner system, new, robust hardware has been installed. In collaboration with our campus partners, we have implemented a new campus scheduling system and phases 1 and 2 of an online housing management system.
  • Finally, management of Blackboard was moved off campus to increase reliability and availability.

As we end our calendar year and look towards 2016, we will be focusing on:

  • Building a culture of service excellence
  • Increasing collaboration across campus
  • Improving our accountability
  • Communicating better with campus
  • Ensuring a reliable and robust technology infrastructure
  • Reducing risks related to information technology

Thank you for your warm welcome to campus. I’m dedicated to continuing to improve DTS communication and service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of my staff to let us know how DTS can better serve you and your area.

I wish you a holiday season filled with happiness, and I look forward to working with you in 2016.

Chris Gill
Chief Information Technology Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

“Spring”ing forward with action

In the fall of 2015 Drake released the results of the Campus Climate survey. Among the many areas of strength and opportunities for growth, we quickly noted a need for additional support of efforts aimed at achieving meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. Since the release of that report, multiple students and student organizations have continued to elevate the discussion regarding the need for a strategic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Division of Student Life and Academic Excellence and Student Success are excited to announce several changes in response to those needs. The changes are immediate; you will see them beginning in spring 2016.

Through the efforts of the Dean of Students Office, STIL has restructured an existing position to become: director of student engagement, equity, and inclusion. This position will report directly to the associate dean of students with the primary job duty of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in Student Life. Tony Tyler, currently the director of Olmsted Center and student organizations, will be transitioning to this role during J-Term.

Marina Verlengia, currently director of campus programming, will be transitioning to a realigned role, director of new student programs. This position will operate out of the associate provost’s office, and will focus on supporting the success and retention of all new students through programs such as Welcome Weekend, New Student Orientation, and Transfer Orientation. Marina will continue to office in STIL and work collaboratively with student life colleagues.

STIL will also appoint a coordinator for student organizations and activities. This position will advise student organizations and the Student Activities Board; we hope to fill the role during the Spring 2016 term. Until this role is filled, Marina Verlengia will stay as SAB’s primary advisor.

Finally, Student Involvement and Leadership will now be known as Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership (STIIL). It is important to note that all these changes will be implemented within the existing budget. No additional/new funds are being expended to facilitate this restructuring.

Students who have been advocating for a more inclusive and equitable experience at Drake are central to this transition. This realignment is an important step, but we acknowledge there is more to be done and look forward to supporting the continued work of the climate assessment project. We are eager to more fully support the exceptional learning environment of students at Drake and to equip students for professional accomplishments and responsible global citizenship.

If you should have any questions and/or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact Melissa Sturm-Smith, associate provost for academic excellence & student success, and/or Jerry Parker, acting dean of students.

—Submitted by Jerry Parker, Acting Dean of Students

Campus Announcements Archive

Operations updates

Electrical shutdowns over winter break
A scheduled electrical shutdown for the campus will occur during the Winter Break time. This scheduled shutdown is part of the pre-construction phase prior to the construction of new School of Education and the Science Connector Building.The electrical shutdowns will be on Dec. 28 and Dec. 29. The work will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. each morning. The following is a list of the affected buildings:

  • Dec. 28: The electrical shutdown will affect The Knapp Center, Fieldhouse, Bell Center, Shivers, and the Greenhouse. The power outage will last approximately 12 hours. Once this work is completed, the power will not be reconnected to the Greenhouse.
  • Dec. 29: The electrical shutdown will affect Jewett Hall, Olin Hall, and Cartwright Hall. The power outage will be approximately two to four hours.

The communication duct work will be completed on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31. This may interrupt telephone and Internet services to Olin, Fitch, Harvey Ingham, Medbury, and Cline halls; Facility Services; Environmental Health & Safety; the Fieldhouse; and Bell Center. DTS will be sending out more information on the communication duct work next week.

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations & Support Services

 

Building hours and access over break
Door schedules will change for the holiday break. We will adopt “administrative hours” for most of the buildings following commencement. Buildings will be open on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21–23. Doors will then be locked for the holiday break from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3.

Faculty and staff will still be able to utilize their authorized access plans (for example, 24/7 access to their office buildings), but student plans will be shut off during this time. Regular building hours will resume at the start of January Term, Jan. 4.

Please contact Public Safety (515-271-2222) if you have a door access emergency during this time, or contact the Student Services Center (515-271-2000 or studentservices@drake.edu) if you have a general card access question or concern.

Happy Holidays!

—Submitted by Sara Heijerman, Manager, Campus Card Office


Construction Update
27th Street will stay open until construction starts on the new School of Education. 27th Street usage will change once construction starts. Please read OnCampus in late January/early February for more information regarding the usage of this street.

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations & Support Services

Strategic Updates Archive

Welcoming Drake’s new provost

sueoncampus3With great pleasure I share the appointment of our new provost, Dr. Sue J. Mattison. Her experience, leadership, and values will make her an excellent addition to our Bulldog family. We expect Provost Mattison to begin in summer 2016.

Sue was selected for a number of reasons. Above all was her contagious commitment to the student experience and to the integrity of the University’s academic core. Her passion for strengthening academic programs while promoting intellectual vitality will be important in Drake’s efforts to achieve our aspirations and to ensure we continue to fulfill the promise of our mission statement.

Many of Provost Mattison’s accomplishments and areas of focus during her career, which includes leadership positions at UW-Green Bay and the University of Northern Iowa, align with our mission and strategic priorities.

  • While at UW-Green Bay, Sue led several successful accreditation initiatives, experience that will help guide the University through our upcoming HLC re-accreditation. Her focus on data-driven decision-making aligns well with our efforts to create a more evidence-based culture of continuous improvement.
  • She brings commitment and experience in recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty, and staff and improving access to higher education.
  • In addition, Sue has proven herself a champion of faculty scholarship and places great value on building trusting and respectful relationships at all levels of the institution.

My heartfelt thanks to the faculty, staff, and students who attended the open forums and provided feedback on each of our excellent candidates. Your engagement was crucial to selecting Provost Mattison and will be important as she begins her time at Drake. I’d also like to thank the search committee for their time-intensive and enthusiastic dedication to executing a successful and transparent search process.

I am excited for our future as Sue begins what I’m sure will be a long and fruitful tenure at Drake. She will visit campus in the spring semester to meet more members of the Drake community; I have been assured we will be made aware of the details of her visit as they are finalized.

Please join me in welcoming Provost Mattison to the Bulldog community.

—Darcie Vandegrift, Chair, Provost Search Committee

Featured Events Archive

Brown and Black Forum details

On Monday, Jan. 11, Drake University will host the Democratic Brown and Black Presidential Candidate Forum. The Forum will be broadcast on Fusion, Iowa Public Television, and C-SPAN and is sponsored by Urban Dreams, a Des Moines-based human services agency. This is one of the longest-running presidential forums in the country, and the only forum specifically dedicated to the concerns of minority voters.

Drake’s mission statement promises students an exceptional learning environment, and hosting the Forum exemplifies this commitment. Specifically, there are four important ways in which hosting this event reflects the University’s mission. First, the Forum exemplifies our role in a civic democracy—the university is the place where the community (in this case, the nation) comes together to discuss the important issues of the day. Second, Fusion will be hiring student interns who will work on all aspects of the production prior to the event. Third, a limited number of tickets are available for Drake students, faculty, and staff to attend the Forum itself, participating directly in the democratic process (information about how to request a seat is included below). Finally, the Forum brings national attention to our University, increasing visibility and attracting the next generation of outstanding students to campus.

Hosting the Brown and Black Forum requires a substantial amount of logistical planning, and the campus community will need to be aware of a number of issues.

Tickets
Urban Dreams has exclusive control over distribution of tickets to attend the Brown and Black Forum. A limited number of tickets have been made available to members of the Drake community, and priority will be given to current Drake students.

All Forum attendees must be seated by 6 p.m. and will need to remain in Sheslow Auditorium for the entirety of the program, until 9 p.m. If you are unable to commit to attending the entire Forum, please do not request a ticket.

Tickets will be distributed by lottery. To request a ticket, go to http://tinyurl.com/BrownBlackForum2016. You may request a ticket at any time prior to Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, at 5 p.m. Please submit your name and information only once, as duplicate entries are not permitted. In order to guarantee equal opportunity for all members of the Drake community, only one submission per person will be eligible. Each request is for only one ticket, and Drake is not providing tickets for family, friends, or alumni. Those who received a ticket to the DNC Debate via the online ticket lottery will not be eligible to receive a ticket to the Brown and Black Forum through the online ticket lottery.

Please be aware that attendance will require Secret Service screening procedures.

Should you be chosen to receive a ticket to the event, you will be notified by Monday, Jan. 4, using the preferred email address you provide in your request. Once you confirm your acceptance of the ticket, additional instructions and information will be provided. Please remember that tickets are nontransferable—they are only valid for the individual who has been designated to use the ticket and IDs will be checked at the door.

Housing
Students who are selected to attend or work for the Brown and Black Forum will have access to campus housing. The Office of Residence Life will work with those students selected to receive tickets and/or those students selected by Fusion as event staff to arrange for housing options based on J-Term daily rates and space availability. Following selection, more information will be provided to those ticketed recipients through the Office of Residence Life.

Facilities and Security
This event will bring a large number of people to campus (approximately 1,000–1,500 people are expected). This creates security concerns and all members of the campus community should be aware of this. Please observe the following guidelines to ensure safety:

  • Old Main and Olmsted Center will be restricted to those affiliated with the Forum for security reasons. Credentials will be necessary to enter these spaces on Sunday evening and all day Monday (Jan. 10 and 11). If you need to use facilities in these buildings, please plan to do so before or after they are secured for the event.
  • Areas immediately surrounding Old Main and Olmsted Center will be restricted for security reasons. Prior to the Forum, information will be available regarding street closures, parking restrictions, and other logistics. Please plan accordingly.
  • Please carry your Drake Card (ID) with you at all times. Should an emergency arise, this will allow security and Secret Service personnel to identify you as a member of the Drake community.
  • For students living on campus or in the immediate area, please be extra cautious about allowing access to living spaces to individuals who are not known to you. Do not prop or leave doors open, do not let people into your building unless you know them personally, and do not accept “credentials” from any individual not affiliated with the University, the Des Moines Police Department, or the Secret Service.

Things to Keep in Mind
Hosting a nationally-televised live candidate forum provides invaluable opportunities for the Drake community. It also means that our campus and our community are in the national spotlight. Many credentialed members of the press are expected. Three presidential candidates will be on campus. You may have interactions with Fusion staff, Urban Dreams staff, candidates, campaign staff, Secret Service personnel and/or the media. Please take care to be respectful and responsible. You may well have the opportunity to show the nation who we are as the Drake community and our collective commitment to civility and the open, respectful exchange of divergent views. Together, we can ensure that this is a positive experience for all of the individuals visiting campus, as well as for all members of the Drake family.

Additional details regarding building access, street closures, and parking restrictions, will be distributed the week prior to the event.

—Joe Lenz, Interim Provost

Campus Announcements Archive

Inauguration update

A few weeks ago you saw the Save the Date announcement for President Martin’s inauguration—Thursday, April 28, 2016, 1:30 p.m. in The Knapp Center. I am announcing now that all classes will be suspended from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on that day. Normal class schedule will resume at 3:30 and evening classes will be held.

The inauguration of a president is a rare and important event in Drake’s 134-year history, one that has happened, at most, just 12 times previously. It has been 17 years since we last welcomed a new president. We want to make it possible for all members of the Drake community—faculty, staff, and students—to honor Marty Martin at the formal initiation of his presidency, to witness this historic moment, and to celebrate with him the start of something big.

During the coming weeks and months there will be more announcements about events and schedule pertaining to the Inauguration. There will be pomp, there will be circumstance, there will be a good time had by all.

—Interim Provost Joe Lenz

Strategic Updates Archive

Climate Assessment update

The members of the Strategic Diversity Action Team are deeply grateful to the more than 300 faculty, staff, and students who took the time to participate in one of 22 next steps forums throughout the fall semester. Your thoughtful participation provided rich insights for our team to review and use to develop a set of recommendations for future action. We will analyze the information in January, and plan to share a set of action steps with the campus community in the early part of spring semester. Thank you for your continued engagement in the work to achieve meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus and to create a welcoming and inclusive community.

—Submitted by Melissa Sturm-Smith, Renee Cramer, and Michael Couvillon

For Staff Archive

Called to be True Blue

Capping off a semester where the All Staff Council honored more than six staff members or units, Sandy Hatfield Clubb, director of athletics, received the honor. As her nominator said:

“While the True Blue Award should be named after Paul Morrison, Sandy would be a close second with her amazing energy, personality, excellence, and vision with her leadership in our athletic department to make Drake University a better place for our students. It goes without saying, Sandy truly lives the Bulldog Way!

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

News & Achievements Archive

Retirement party for Kitty Olsen

Please join the Robert D. And Billie Ray Center for retirement party for Kitty Olsen, assistant director, development, on Monday, Jan. 4, 5–7 p.m., in the Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. She is retiring after 18 1/2 years of service to the Ray Center.

—Submitted by Amy Smit, Ray Center Communications Director

News & Achievements Archive

Faculty accomplishments

Eric Saylor, associate professor of music, recently edited and contributed to The Sea in the British Musical Imagination, a collection of essays published by The Boydell Press. The essays are organized around three main themes: the Sea as Landscape, the Sea as Profession, and the Sea as Metaphor, covering an array of topics drawn from the 17th century to the 21st. Featuring studies of pieces by the likes of Purcell, Arne, Sullivan, Vaughan Williams, and Davies, as well as examinations of cultural touchstones such as the BBC, the Scottish fishing industry, and the Aldeburgh Festival, The Sea in the British Musical Imagination will be of interest to musicologists as well as scholars in history, British studies, cultural studies, and English literature.

Eric is a specialist in music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing particularly on the life and music of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

—Submitted by Eric Saylor