The Drake University Science Colloquium Series presents, “Protein-Protein Interactions in the Cytoskeleton of Ciliated Protozoan Tetrahymena thermophile,” by senior Noah Skantz and Jerry Honts, associate professor of biology, on Friday, March 9. The event will take place from 12 to 12:50 p.m. in Harvey Ingham Hall, Room 134.
Sharyn O’Connor, College of Arts & Sciences
Mark Harris, senior lecturer in science and religion at the University of Edinburgh, will present the next lecture in The Comparison Project’s series on miracles on Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m. in Sussman Theater.
Harris’s lecture will discuss conventional assumptions in theological and philosophical discussions of miracles that science can be adequately dealt with simply by invoking ‘the laws of nature’, such that a miracle transgresses these laws. He will talk about the shortcomings of these assumptions, arguing that there is a need to address wider underpinning concepts in the philosophy of science, including naturalism, the uniformity of nature, and the unity of science. Harris will suggest new ways forward for thinking about miracles by bringing in insights from debates in geology.
Harris studied geology at Cambridge University before moving into mainstream physics in Oxford, first in a postdoc at the University of Oxford, then in a staff position at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. For about 10 years, Harris established his interests in the physics of magnetic materials. After exploring a calling to ordination in the Church of England, Harris read theology at Oxford in the early 2000s, and moved into parish ministry and university chaplaincy. In 2012, he constructed the University of Edinburgh’s new master’s program in science and religion and has been a director of the program ever since. Harris’s teaching and research focuses on the relationship between Christian theology and the physical sciences. He is especially interested in the impact of science on modern views of the Bible, especially in thinking on miracles and divine action. Harris is in the process of working on a book project on naturalism, and the ways that historical debates on naturalism in geology provide a new way of looking at miracles.
Monique Rodriguez, College of Arts & Sciences
Today, March 6, the East Asian Film Series will show its second film: Shin Godzilla (Japan, 2016). The film will begin at 6 p.m. in Harvey Ingham Hall, Room 134. It is about a giant monster who destroys Tokyo as the government struggles to respond. The film is co-sponsored by the East Asian Studies Minor and the Department of Political Science. Students from the class government and politics of Japan will lead a discussion following the film. Contact Professor Mary M. McCarthy for information about this film or others in the series.
Mary M. McCarthy, Department of Political Science
The Community Outreach Student Senate Committee is hosting a panel on International Women’s Day, March 8, at 7 p.m. in Parents Hall South in the Olmsted Center. The panel will feature powerful women in the Des Moines community. Please come out and show your support.
Avery Malinski
The Drake Choir and Chamber Choir will perform today, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium. The concert, on the eve of the choirs’ tour of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, will feature music by contemporary American, Korean, and Lithuanian composers, as well as works by Rheinberger, Handel, and Finzi. There is no admission charge.
— Aimee Beckmann-Collier, College of Arts & Sciences
As of Feb. 23, Facilities Planning and Management received 2,788 service requests through its online service portal that launched last October. Ninety three percent of those requests have been completed.
The new online service request system aims to support the department’s six commitments listed below, which were developed in response to the Administrative Services Survey. These commitments are designed to help the department achieve its scorecard objectives.
In a previous OnCampus article, FPM shared results from the TeamDynamix satisfaction and performance surveys. One area that is below our target goal is commitment number one regarding meeting promised response and resolution timeframes, also known as service live agreements (SLAs). The SLA goal aims to acknowledge work orders within one workday and complete them within three workdays. This excludes work orders that are pending or scheduled. Our measure last year was 75 percent. Currently we are at 78 percent, just short of our 80 percent goal. Our department and leadership team is committed to implementing various action items that will contribute to successfully meeting each of our scorecard objectives.
Manny Toribio, Facilities Planning and Management
As the externally focused arm of the Institution, University Advancement is comprised of Alumni Relations, Development, University Communications, Community Relations, and The RaySociety. Each of these departments intentionally builds meaningful relationships with a variety of audiences.
Think about just a few examples of the life cycle of a Drake alumnus/a:
Moving forward, University Advancement will utilize OnCampus to celebrate collective accomplishments, highlight upcoming activities, announce meaningful milestones, and publicize successful campus partnerships.
The work of University Advancement is strongly grounded in the spirit of “all in this together.” Our work is strengthened through active engagement and involvement with multiple campus partners.
Thanks to all who enthusiastically invite our students, alumni, and friends to enjoy a life-long connection to this remarkable University. We value your active partnership, shared ownership, thoughtful ideas, and powerful example. Without question, we are stronger together.
— John Smith, University Advancement
This semester, 165 international students are enrolled in classes at Drake. Of international students on campus, the largest groups are from Malaysia and China. Drake is proud to have more than 40 different countries are represented on campus. View data from Drake International.
Jacquilline Nagila, Drake International
Changes have been made to Drake’s emergency response procedures regarding building evacuations. Previous emergency response procedures for evacuating buildings required all individuals to gather at a predetermined rally point upon exiting their buildings. Due to recent events, a policy change has been made and the procedures now state that you should attempt to notify a building representative upon exiting a building. If you are unsure of whom to notify, contact Drake Public Safety. The overriding principal is that all building occupants are accounted for during an emergency. The evacuation procedures are outlined below; number six reflects the new change.
As a valuable member of the Drake community, we do not want anyone to be placed in more danger, and a predetermined central gathering point may do that. Instead, once you have evacuated, get to a safe location. Each department or area should have a central contact that individuals can call or text. Text is preferred; that way no one is unaccounted for or presumed in danger because of a busy signal.
It is important that the changes to the evacuation procedures are communicated to all members of campus, so please share this with members of your department. Individuals should know what to do in the event of an evacuation, including where to go and who to contact so they are sure to be accounted for during an emergency.
The Emergency Response Manual can be found on the Public Safety and Environmental Health and Safety websites.
If you have any questions regarding the changes to the evacuation procedures, contact Public Safety at 515-271-2222 or Environmental Health and Safety at 515-271-3804.
— Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to opt in to a new text message service to receive alerts regarding unexpected technology outages. Opt in by texting DrakeITS2018 to phone number 226787. Text messages will only be sent between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. This new notification system is in addition to ITS’ regular communication channels, which are the ITS website, blueView login screen, IT Service Portal, and ITS Twitter account. If you have any questions regarding this new service, call 271-2356 or email carla.herling@drake.edu.
This is the second text alert system rolled out to campus this year. In January, Facilities Planning and Management introduced a text notification system that provides alerts on snow removal work, water main breaks, custodial projects, and other facility-related incidents. Campus members can participate by texting Facilities Notification 2018 to 67283.
— Carla Herling, ITS