Did you work on campus during 2017? If so, your W-2 is available through myDUSIS. You will need a W-2 to file taxes. To access your W-2, log into blueView, and then go to myDUSIS. Click on the Employee tab. Then click on Tax Forms. Next select the W-2 Year End Earnings Statement. Finally, select the tax year for 2017, and then click Display. You may print it from your web browser or click the Printable W-2.

— Debra Wiley, Human Resources

The web-based Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal (DUSSJ) welcomes paper submissions for the upcoming publication of its 18th edition in spring 2018. Any Drake undergraduate student is welcome to submit a piece that offers an engaging, critical and original analysis pertaining to the departments of the social sciences—Culture and Society; Economics; History; International Relations; Law, Politics, and Society; and Political Science. Students may submit papers that display strong writing skills in a shorter analytic essay of seven pages or less, or they may submit a longer research paper consisting of anything greater in length. Submitted papers should include full citations to all sources used.

Submissions will be reviewed by six members of the editorial board using the method of blind peer review, meaning the author’s identity will be withheld during the process of reviewing submissions. The board reserves the right to edit papers for style or length, and they may request revisions by the author as a condition of acceptance; authors will be given plenty of time to make these revisions.

The deadline for submission is Feb. 19. No more than one submission per person will be considered. Please send your submissions to dussjadvisor@gmail.com. All questions should be directed to this address as well. When submitting a paper, please indicate whether the essay is a research paper or short analytic essay. Also, please indicate the primary discipline and any secondary discipline(s).

— Natalie Bayer, History Department

The Bookstore is offering extended hours Jan. 27 through Feb. 8 as the spring semester begins. Review its hours of operation and the textbook refund deadlines. Learn more …

Textbook refund policy

Text refunds are calculated from the beginning of the term (Jan. 29), not from the date of purchase. The refund schedule is as follows:

Last day for refund with receipt: Feb. 5 

Last day with drop slip/receipt Feb. 12

• You must have your cash register or order receipt. All credit card purchases will be refunded to the card.
• New books marked in any manner will be considered used, and will be refunded at the used book price. The item you are returning must be in the condition that it was purchased (no marks, or damage, original packaging, no missing pieces, shrink wrap has not been broken, etc.)
• There will be a one-week full refund from the start of any weekend classes or classes that begin at a time other than the start of the semester provided the class does not end before the policy time.
• All labels must be in place and intact to receive a refund. Course packets are non-refundable.

Receipt is required for all textbook refunds.

Do you have an idea for an innovative healthcare solution? DELTA Rx’s Next Top Entrepreneur competition is taking place this month. The competition is open to all students, regardless of major, and all health care ideas are welcome. The event involves three rounds of competition with round one beginning Feb. 12. During round one, participants have three minutes to present their health care idea. The top 10 entries advance to round two on Feb. 19. The final round is Feb. 26. The judges for the competition will represent the pharmacy, healthcare, and business sectors.

Participants can register as an individual or in a team by submitting your name(s) to deltarx@drake.edu. The first 20 registrants will be accepted to participate in round one; others will be placed on a waiting list.

This is a great opportunity to build your resume, gain leadership skills, and network in a welcoming, constructive environment. Top prizes include $1,200 for first place, $800 for second place, and $400 for third place. New this year, top performers will be considered for a spot in the Lorentzen Student Hatchery summer program, which provides $10,000 and professional assistance to help students with a start-up business.

Learn more: View a poster for more information. In addition, the date and time of an informational session is being determined.

— Samantha Eunsol Lee, CPHS Student

Consider becoming a Peer Mentor/Academic Consultant (PMAC) and help welcome new students to Drake.

PMACs will continue to serve as a resource and motivator throughout the fall semester. Communication with new students will begin over the summer and continue throughout the fall semester. Based on research findings and past experiences, peer-to-peer interaction with an emphasis on students’ academic success and personal development is particularly important to overall growth during the first year in college. PMACs play an essential role in making sure new students are acclimated to their new environment before classes begin.

PMAC applications are due Sunday, Feb. 11. Apply here.

Contact the Peer Advisory Board at pab@drake.edu or Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu with any questions.

— Marina Verlengia, Academic Excellence and Student Success

Surprise your sweetheart, roommate, professor, coach, co-worker, or supervisor with a singing valentine presented by members of the Drake Choir. We offer a special student price of $10 for a single rose and song delivered to campus within the boundaries of 25th Street to 34th Street and University Avenue to Forest Avenue. You will need to supply your student ID number in order to qualify for this Bulldog ballad.

Drake Choir members will deliver singing valentines on Wednesday, Feb. 14 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Add an appearance from Griff for an additional $25

A new feature of our singing valentines is the opportunity to have Griff join the Drake Choir singers in presenting your order. You can add a Griff appearance to any order package for an additional $25. Griff is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Please note that Griff is a certified therapy dog and loves people. However, if you’re having us deliver a valentine to a building in which security clearance is needed to gain entry, you’ll need to work out those details ahead of time with a building supervisor. Our students will not have time to negotiate that aspect of things when they arrive, so please make sure that Griff is expected and welcomed.

Why a singing valentine?

In addition to winning brownie points with your valentine, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s May 2019 international tour. No University funds are used for these tours, so your support is important and greatly appreciated.

To order a singing valentine, visit www.drake.edu/valentines or call 515.271.3024. The deadline is Feb. 9.

— Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Music

The Drake University Career Fair will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Olmsted Center. Review a list of organizations attending. Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume!

Career Fair Times:

Open to only seniors: 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Open to all students: 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Professional attire required. No jeans or sweatpants.

Men: Suit and tie. If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers, a button down shirt, tie or blazer/sport-coat.

Women: Suit, if you don’t own a suit, wear dress pants or skirt and a nice blouse or sweater/blazer.

If you are uncertain about what to wear or have questions about the event, please contact your designated career staff.

— Chrystal Stanley, Academic Excellence and Student Success

The Office of Admission is looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and fun Drake students to host prospective students during the 2018 Road Trip to Drake. This event, formally known as the Chicago Bus Trip, is bringing around 200 admitted students from the Chicago, Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Quad Cities, and St. Louis areas to campus on Feb. 18 and 19 to learn more about Drake.

Hosts must be available from 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, to 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 19. Hosts must be in good academic standing, live in the residence halls, and attend a mandatory host meeting. Sign up or read more here. Responses are due Feb. 7. Contact Natalie Larson at natalie.larson@drake.edu with questions.

— Natalie Larson, Admission