All posts by Aaron Jaco

Campus Announcements Archive

Scheduled electrical shutdowns

On Nov. 25, a scheduled electrical shutdown will occur from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., affecting the following buildings: The Knapp Center, Fieldhouse, Bell Center, and Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. This scheduled shutdown is part of the electrical project that needs to be completed prior to the construction of the new School of Education/Computer Science and Mathematics Building and the new Science Connector Building.

Another scheduled electrical shutdown will occur on Nov. 27, from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., affecting the Fine Arts Center and Olin Hall. This scheduled shutdown is a routine shutdown that occurs ever year the day after Thanksgiving. This allows Facilities Services to clean the electrical transformer on campus.

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

Campus Announcements Archive

First Databook installment online now

Need some information regarding Drake’s enrollment or student body?  You can find it on the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA) website.  Please note, faculty information will be available at a later time. As always, if you need anything from OIRA, please fill out the Request for Information form on our site.

—Submitted by Christine Marchand, Institutional Research and Academic Compliance Coordinator

Campus Announcements Archive

Parking during snow removal

The Drake neighborhood is one of five neighborhoods established as an Odd/Even Side Snow Parking Zone, due to limited off-street parking. Other Odd/Even Side Snow Parking Zones are Carpenter, Drake Park, River Bend, and Sherman Hills neighborhoods. Citywide and odd/even plowing will occur as determined by the public works director based on total accumulation, prevailing conditions, and near future forecasts.

  • Snowplowing operation in odd/even neighborhoods will occur only between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Odd or even calendar days of the month are matched with street addresses ending in odd or even numbers. (i.e., odd numbered days, vehicles should be parked on the odd side of the street)
  • Vehicles must be on the correct side of the street by 7 a.m. to avoid a ticket.

Vehicles parked on the street will receive a $35 fine and may be subject to towing. Tickets can be appealed using the parking ticket appeal process.

If you wish to know when parking is prohibited on residential streets, text DMSNOW to 96000. If you wish to receive text messages, including notification of the parking requirements in the Odd/Even Side Snow Parking Zones, text DMODDSNOW to 96000. Standard text messaging rates apply.

—Submitted by Andrea McDonough, Senior Administrative Services Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

It’s On Us Week

This week, Nov. 8–13, is the It’s On Us National Week of Action, marking the one-year anniversary of the White House public service project aimed at ending sexual assaults on college campuses. “It’s On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think and talk about sexual assault. It is a rallying cry, inviting everyone to step up and realize that the solution begins with us. The campaign seeks to reframe the conversation surrounding sexual assault in a way that empowers, educates, and engages college students to do something, big or small, to prevent it.” (It’s On Us campus organizing tool)

It’s on us—all of us—to stop sexual assault. Here are a few tips from It’s On Us as to what you can do to be part of the solution:

  • Talk to your friends honestly and openly about sexual assault.
  • Don’t just be a bystander—if you see something, intervene in any way you can.
  • Trust your gut. If something looks like it might be a bad situation, it probably is.
  • Be direct. Ask someone who looks like they may need help if they’re ok.
  • Get someone to help you if you see something—enlist a friend, RA, bartender, or host to help step in.
  • Keep an eye on someone who has had too much to drink.
  • If you see someone who is too intoxicated to consent, enlist their friends to help them leave safely.
  • Recognize the potential danger of someone who talks about planning to target another person at a party.
  • Be aware if someone is deliberately trying to intoxicate, isolate, or corner someone else.
  • Get in the way by creating a distraction, drawing attention to the situation, or separating them.
  • Understand that if someone does not or cannot consent to sex, it’s rape.
  • Never blame the victim.

What can you do at Drake University?

Take the pledge at http://itsonus.org/#pledge to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault.

What does the pledge look like?
I PLEDGE:
To RECOGNIZE that non-consensual sex is sexual assault.
To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur.
To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be         given.
To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.

Learn more about It’s On Us by stopping by our table at Hubbell Dining on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Familiarize yourself with Drake University’s It’s On Us public statement and other resources at www.drake.edu/sexual-assault/

—Submitted by Kathryn Overberg, Title IX Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Policy Specialist

Strategic Updates Archive

From the President

As you are aware, we began the search for a new provost earlier this fall. Led by Darcie Vandegrift, associate professor of sociology and department chair, the search committee began by soliciting input across campus about the community’s aspirations for our new provost. The committee has screened more than 60 applicants and will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

The committee has identified a list of candidates to invite to a neutral site interview. These candidates were chosen for their talent and experience regarding:

• Record of professorial accomplishment
• Collaborative ability with campus stakeholders and appreciation of faculty governance
• Capacity to implement a mission-driven strategic vision
• Proven leadership and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to ensure the success of a diverse student body, staff, and faculty

Neutral site interviews will be completed before Thanksgiving, and the committee plans to invite three finalists to campus the week of Nov. 30. Open forums for each candidate will be held during that week—further details to be shared as the candidates are selected and schedules are finalized.

I would like to thank the committee for all their hard work and effort. Their diligence has enabled us to forego the typical practice of hiring a consultant, saving the University tens of thousands of dollars.

Please take the opportunity to provide feedback to the committee members as the process goes forward. The members of the search team are listed at www.drake.edu/provostsearch

Best regards,

Marty

Featured Events Archive

“The Changing Role of Central Banks”

Drake University will host a panel discussion on “The Changing Role of Central Banks,” sponsored by The Principal Financial Group and The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship.

The free public event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Sussman Theater, located in the lower level of the Olmsted Center.

Panelists will include Jim McCaughan, CEO of Principal Global Investors; Bob Baur, Chief Global Economist at PGI; Madelyn Antoncic, executive director of institutional investment solutions at PGI; and Sean Severe, assistant professor of economics in the Drake University College of Business and Public Administration.

Strategic Updates Archive

DNC debate tickets

Dear Drake students, staff, and faculty,

On Saturday, Nov. 14, Drake University will host a nationally-televised live Democratic presidential candidate debate in Sheslow Auditorium, sponsored by CBS News, the Democratic National Committee, the Iowa Democratic Party, the Des Moines Register, KCCI, and Twitter. 

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

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

Tickets:

The Democratic National Committee has exclusive control over distribution of tickets to attend the debate. 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 debate attendees must be seated by 7 p.m. and will need to remain in Sheslow Auditorium for the entirety of the program, until 10 p.m. If you are unable to commit to attending the entire debate program, please do not request tickets.

Tickets will be distributed by lottery. To request a ticket, go to http://tinyurl.com/DNCDrakeDebate2015. You may request a ticket at any time prior to Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, 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.

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 Friday, Nov. 6, 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. 

Facilities and Security: 

The debate 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: 

  • The Bell Center, Cartwright Hall, and Old Main will be restricted to those affiliated with the debate for security reasons. Credentials will be necessary to enter these spaces on Friday evening and all day Saturday (Nov. 13 and 14). If you need to use facilities in these buildings, please plan to do so before or after they are secured for the debate.
  • Areas immediately surrounding the Bell Center, Cartwright Hall, and Old Main will be restricted for security reasons. Prior to the debate, 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, or the Secret Service.

Things to Keep in Mind

Hosting a nationally-televised live debate provides invaluable opportunities for the Drake community. It also means that our campus and our community are in the national spotlight. Approximately 700 credentialed members of the press are expected. Three presidential candidates will be on campus. You may have interactions with CBS 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 next week.

—Joe Lenz, Provost

News & Achievements Archive

Faculty and staff accomplishments

Sarah McCoy, assistant professor of graphic design, is featured in the November/December issue of Midwest Living .

Katherine Lincoln, University archives associate, has earned the Society of American Archivists Digital Archives Specialist certification. The certification is earned through a sequence of required coursework and comprehensive examinations. It is built around the core competencies needed to understand, organize, preserve, and develop digital archives containing electronic records across multiple generations of technology.

Wade Leuwerke, associate professor of education and department chair, and two longtime colleagues recently published a textbook on college student success. Connections: Empowering College and Career Success is a textbook that helps first-time and returning college students develop the skills, attitudes, and behaviors critical for success in college and into their career. The book empowers students to take responsibility for their education through increasing self-regulation, critical thinking, positive thinking, goal setting, and intentional career planning. The authors also created the Academic and Career Excellence System (ACES) a norm-referenced, self-assessment of non-cognitive and college skills. Students utilize ACES and the text to determine strengths and build personal success plans to bolster skills critical for strong performance in college and beyond. Learn more about Wade and his book in the Drake Newsroom.

Anne Murr, coordinator, Drake Adult Literacy Center, received the Outstanding Educator Award from The Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa (LDA IOWA). LDA is dedicated to identifying causes and promoting prevention of learning disabilities and to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families. The award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of education to children, youth, and/or adults with learning disabilities.

Renee Cramer, associate professor and chair of law politics and society, published a new book about the cultural obsession with celebrity pregnancies. Pregnant With The Stars, published by Stanford University Press, examines the American fascination with, and judgment of, celebrity pregnancy and exposes how our seemingly innocent interest in “baby bumps” actually reinforces troubling standards about femininity, race, and class, while increasing the surveillance and regulation of all women in our society. Read more about Renee’s book here.

Strategic Updates Archive

STEM@DRAKE project update

Significant pre-construction activity is underway relative to the STEM@DRAKE project. Last Wednesday at the STEM@DRAKE Construction Open House, members of the campus community saw the latest building renderings and floor plans. Positive comments were shared about the inclusion of gender neutral bathrooms and dedicated lactation rooms in both buildings, as well as the overall cohesive look of the buildings. Members of Drake’s Grounds Department—Aaron Harpold and Jeff Bosworth—were on hand to discuss how the project will impact trees. Attendees voted on the type of trees they would like to see planted as part of the effort to replace and nearly double the number of trees that will be lost during construction.

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

For Students Archive

Health Relationship Support Group

  • Are you looking to heal from past relationships?
  • Are you looking to strengthen your existing relationships?
  • Do you have questions about whether or not your relationships are healthy?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this group is for you! Please join two certified advocates from local organizations and fellow Drake students for some great discussion and support in a private and confidential setting.

When: Mondays, 6:30–8 p.m., Oct. 26–Dec. 7
Where: Wesley House (on the corner of 28th Street and University Avenue)

Topics include:

  • Recognizing healthy vs. unhealthy relationships
  • Healing from unhealthy relationships
  • Self-care and boundaries
  • Healthy communication

This group will be run by Melissa Ulrickson, campus outreach specialist with Crisis Intervention Services and Stacey Granger, domestic violence outreach advocate with Children & Families of Iowa. Melissa is a certified sexual assault advocate with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and working toward a master’s degree in professional counseling, and Stacey is a certified domestic abuse advocate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. If you have any questions regarding this group, please contact Melissa at 641-260-0432/melissau@stopdvsa.org or Stacey at 515-471-8699 x 133.

—Submitted by Alysa Mozak, Coordinator for Sexual Violence Response and Healthy Relationship Promotion