The Office of Student Disability Services is a key resource not only in supporting students with disabilities, but also in helping faculty navigate academic accommodation requests and proactively create inclusive classroom spaces. The revised policy on Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities provides important guidance on the roles of students, faculty, and the Student Disability Services office, and highlights the interactive process that is at the center of determining academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services as well as evaluating policy/program modifications. Please contact Michelle Laughlin or Leah Berte with any questions, and you can also visit the Student Disability Services website for important information on resources and procedures.

—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success

This October and November, and continuing throughout the year, ITS will educate the campus community on how to keep their digital information safe and secure. ITS will hold a variety of learning opportunities and share cyber security tips through OnCampus, social media, and its website.

Upcoming cyber security educational opportunities:

Tech Tuesday: Learn about passwords, passphrases, and online security on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2–3 p.m. Sign up.

ITS Phishing Quiz: Take the phishing quiz between Oct. 30 and Nov. 17. Also, stop by the ITS table in the Olmsted breezeway on Oct. 30, Nov. 1, or Nov. 7 between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Follow @DrakeITServices on Twitter: You’ll get tips on keeping yourself safe online and learn about ongoing events and other ITS news.

IT Security blog: Keep up with IT news each month starting in October to learn more about a different aspect of cyber security.

Phishing Education: Starting in November, ITS will be re-launching phishing simulation training. A phishing simulation email will be randomly sent out each month to 1,000 faculty and staff members as a risk-free way to learn about the dangers of phishing. Watch OnCampus for more information.

The internet is pervasive in our lives today, and as digital citizens, we must make conscious choices to consistently protect ourselves, our devices, and our family and friends. Our most private data is only a click away from accidental or unauthorized exposure.

Many attacks launched against Drake are done so via phishing, relying on the recipient to give away information voluntarily. These attacks require very little technical know-how to cause serious harm. We all have the ability and responsibility to protect our information at work, school, and home.

For questions related to the protection of information, contact Peter Lundstedt at peter.lundstedt@drake.edu.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Drake will hold fire drills on Oct. 18, 19, 23, and 24 in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act and in conjunction with National Fire Prevention month. All drills will be conducted at 10 a.m. with the exception of the residence halls, which will be conducted from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 23.

Fire alarms will be activated in all campus buildings to signal the start of the drill. When the alarm sounds:

• Evacuate the building.
• Buildings will be locked down and cannot be re-entered until the drill ends.
• Remember to dress accordingly.

The fire drills will be coordinated through the Office of Public Safety (271-2222) working with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (271-3804) and Facilities Services (271-3955). Please report any fire alarm malfunctions or evacuation problems to Facilities or Public Safety. Your cooperation in this very important campus safety exercise regarding the Drake Emergency Response Plan is appreciated.

Fire drill schedule:

Oct. 18
Olin
Science Connector Building
Harvey-Ingham
Cline
Fitch
STAH
Occupational Therapy
Collier-Scripps
3206 University Ave.

Oct. 19
Meredith
Aliber
Cowles
Opperman
Cartwright
Harmon Fine Arts Center
Howard
Carnegie
Medbury

Oct. 23
Olmsted Center
Hubbell
Student Health
Alumni House
ROTC
Bell Center
Knapp Center
Fieldhouse
Tennis Center
All residence halls (6–9 p.m.)

Oct. 24
Cole
Old Main
Public Safety
University Communications
Kinne Center
Multi-use resource (old Ray Center)
Vote Smart
Legal Clinic
Dial Center

—Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety

Students with eligible, documented disabilities who are registered with the Student Disability Services Office under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and student-athletes will register for spring courses earlier than their peers.

What is the reason for this change?
This change is intended to provide students with certain documented disabilities additional time to acquire appropriate resources and to reduce the number of class absences due to student-athlete competition schedules. Allowing student-athletes and students with certain disabilities the option to register early is a common practice among many peer institutions.

Why do student-athletes get to register early?
Student-athletes have challenging schedules that are not as flexible as the average student. The assurance of getting classes at times that work with their practice, game, and travel schedules is an important component to their academic success, including their ability to graduate on time.

How do I know if I am eligible for early registration?
Eligible students received an email directly from the Office of the Registrar notifying them of their eligibility and the exact date and time that they can register.

I don’t qualify for early registration. How will this change affect me?
Impact to other students is expected to be minimal. We will assess the effectiveness of this policy after the first and second years of implementation and make adjustments as necessary.

Are pre-requisites and other registration restrictions waived for students who register early?
No. Courses that have registration restrictions, such as those with pre-requisites or those that are reserved for students with specific majors, minors, or concentrations, apply to all students, regardless of whether they register early or not.

How do I know when I register?
Early registration students will register on either Monday, Oct. 30, or Monday, Nov. 6, at either 7 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. Students in this group will be notified by the Office of the Registrar via email with the exact date and time that they are eligible to register. Students who do not qualify for early registration will be eligible to register between Tuesday, Oct. 31 and Friday, Nov. 3 or Tuesday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 10, based on the number of credit hours they have earned.

Visit the Registrar’s website for a complete list of registration time assignments.

For more questions and answers, please visit the Early Registration FAQ page.

—Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar