Enjoy a night under the stars at the Drake Municipal Observatory this Friday, Sept. 11, as the fall 2015 Public Night Series kicks off. The theme for the series this fall is “What’s New in System Sol?” and Friday’s event is titled “Those were the Days.” The Observatory is located on the grounds of the Waveland Golf Course at 4908 University Ave. in Des Moines. For the full schedule and to learn more about the Observatory, visit the Observatory’s website.
All posts by Aaron Jaco
Anderson Gallery opening reception Sept. 11
Drake University’s Anderson Gallery will open its new season with “Ideas at War: American Propaganda Posters of World War II,” an exhibition featuring more than 50 original wartime posters from the collection of the State Historical Museum of Iowa. The exhibition, curated by John Fender, designer and associate professor of graphic design at Drake, will open on Friday, Sept. 11, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Gallery in Drake’s Harmon Fine Arts Center. “Ideas at War” will remain on display through Oct. 23.
Save the date for Parents & Family Weekend
Parents & Family Weekend will be held at Drake Sept. 25–27. Learn more about this exciting weekend.
Accessing Drake’s cultural centers
Student Success Coordinator Bryan Thomas is now working out of the Black Cultural Center (BCC) Monday¬–Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. In addition to working out of the BCC during scheduled times, Bryan will continue to office in Old Main, Room 319C. Bryan will be working out of the BCC in order to give current and prospective students additional, informal access to the cultural centers. Outside of Bryan’s office hours in the BCC, students will also be able to check out keys to any one of Drake’s three cultural centers (Black Cultural Center, La Casa, and La Caya) through the Student Life Center located in the Olmsted Center.
Students who wish to use the cultural centers for meetings and/or events should submit an event request via Drake’s new Virtual Event Management System (VEMS). Please note that only student organizations’ presidents and their designees (one designee per student organization) can submit event requests via VEMS on behalf of their student organization.
On behalf of the Divisions of Student Life and Academic Excellence and Student Success, we look forward to this new initiative!
Contact & programming information for Bryan Thomas:
Old Main, Room 319C
Phone: 515-271-2029
Email: bryan.thomas@drake.edu
www.drake.edu/crewscholarsprogram/
www.drake.edu/crewblog
alumni.drake.edu/crewscholarsprogram
Student Life Center:
Olmsted Center
Phone: 515-271-3711
www.drake.edu/studentinvolvement/
Writing Workshop opens Monday, Sept. 14
About the Writing Workshop: Peer tutors staff the workshop, all of whom have taken at least one training course to familiarize themselves 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 at https://library.drake.edu/writing . This site is also linked to on the English website. The website itself will give students directions on how to proceed. Typically, an appointment is for 30 minutes. 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, they should 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 are available:
- Monday–Friday during the day
- Monday–Thursday during the evening
- Saturday afternoon
- Sunday afternoon and evening
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, working with students for whom English is not a first language, or with questions about any student who is having particular difficulty with writing. You can also learn more about the workshop in the Writing Workshop brochure.
—Submitted by Jody Swilky, the Elle and Nelle Levitt Professor of English, Writing Workshop Director
World Languages and Cultures resources available to advisers
Faculty advising students who have taken the language placement examination can now access the advisees’ placement score, the levels students placed into, their major(s), and other relevant information quickly, which may be useful during registration. This information can be found on the Adviser Menu on MyDusis under the link “Language Score and Placement.” Student information can be accessed either by entering the student’s Drake ID number or from a drop-down menu.
—Submitted by Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, Director of World Languages and Cultures
Access the entire archives of Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily
Cowles Library now offers digital access to the entire archives of Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily in high-resolution, full-color digital format. Each page of every issue is available, including advertisements. Users are able to search all text, captions, and titles throughout the magazine, including advertisements, covers, and foldouts. These resources are ideal for the study of diverse topics including fashion, gender studies, marketing, and social history.
More information can be found on the Cowles Library blog.
—Submitted by Marc Davis, Coordinator, Program Staff Services, Planning & Projects
First Year Seminar instructor discussion
Friday, Sept. 11, will be our first lunch/discussion for FYS instructors. Those who are considering teaching an FYS in the future are also welcome. Learn more and RSVP here.
—Submitted by Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Fall kickoff with All Staff Council
Keep an eye out for friendly All Staff Council (ASC) members on Wednesday, Sept. 9; we’ll be bringing puppy chow to every staff area on campus as a fall kick off treat, and fill you in on some of the great things ASC has planned for the year.
—Submitted by All Staff Council
Save $300 on your Drake health insurance
Those on Drake’s health plan can save $300 in 2016 by participating in the Wellness Incentive Program. You simply need to complete a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment this fall.
There are three options for completing your biometrics screening this year:
- Option A: Complete your screening on campus at the Bell Center through UnityPoint health from Oct. 23–Nov. 13. Schedule your appointment starting Sept. 9.
- Option B: Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee location Sept. 1–Oct. 19.
- Option C (NEW!): Complete a screening with your physician by Oct. 19.
The online wellness assessment must be completed via MyWellmark by Dec. 4.
Please note, NO extensions will be granted. Find full information, a FAQ, and instructions here. (You may need to log in with your Drake ID and password.) Questions may be directed to Diana Lei-Butters at Diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.