University Communications will host a monthly drop in session for professional headshots. The reoccurring photo session will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the first Monday of every month at the University Communications office located at 1229 25th St. The first session will take place Monday, Oct. 2.
For questions, contact: Genna Clemen, genna.clemen@drake.edu
—Justice Simpson, University Communications
As a reminder and pursuant to University policy, pets are not allowed in campus buildings unless they are part of a controlled science lab or are service/assistance animals accommodating a person with a disability.
Questions about this policy or any related policy or procedure, and/or requests for accommodations to academic, living, working, transportation, or other arrangements, may be directed to:
—Venessa Macro, Finance & Administration
The majority of administrative and personal data at Drake comes from a central application, called Banner, or more commonly known as DUSIS (Drake University Shared Information System). Banner contains student, faculty, and staff information around financial aid, human resources, and registration. It connects with most campus systems including Blackboard, Webprint, and Drake Card.
The technology that our current version of Banner is built on is being phased out. In December 2018, it will no longer be supported. Because of the central role of Banner, Drake needs to upgrade to the latest version, Banner 9, which will be a multi-year project.
A project team has been formed that includes representatives from ITS, Office of Admission, Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid, Human Resources, Business and Finance, and Institutional Research. The team is coordinating efforts with other administrative and academic areas to ensure that the upgrade goes smoothly.
Over the next year, the project team will be working behind the scenes, along with our business partner Ellucian, Banner’s parent company. During this time, the preparation work of testing, creating training plans, and technical development, will not directly affect campus. All systems that connect to Banner will continue operating normally throughout this phase of the project.
The Banner project team will update campus regularly, with targeted communications to regular Banner users. Additional communication channels are being developed to allow more transparency into the process. Watch OnCampus for further information in the coming months.
—Keren Fiorenza, ITS
Last Friday, work began to remove 27th Street from Forest to Carpenter Avenue. As a result, the Law School Parking Lot (north of Opperman Library) will be closed beginning Sept. 26. The entrance to the parking lot and the drive leading to the Opperman loading dock will closed to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The parking lot is scheduled to reopen mid-December.
— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
Human Resources will move from its current location at The Point to 3206 University Ave. this Friday. HR will be located in the north end of the building. The Point will be torn down the week of Oct. 9, weather dependent.
The International Center will move to its new home at 1213 25th St. on Monday, Sept. 25, and Continuing Education and Professional Development (formerly known as Extension Education) will move from 3206 University Ave. to Howard Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
Drake Academic Excellence and Student Success is leading a new initiative to support first-generation students.
Approximately 10–14 percent of first year students are the first in their family to earn a four-year degree. After recognizing a need to support this student group, Drake Academic Excellence and Student Success decided to develop programs and services designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for first-generation students.
“Being the first in your family to attend college, can have unique challenges,” said Marina Verlengia, director of new student and parent programs. “Our hope is to provide first-gen students with the tools, resources, opportunities, and networks necessary to be successful at Drake and beyond.”
Verlengia said the initiative is in the early stages of development. Look for more information in the coming weeks on future programs and services. If you’d like to show support for this initiative, participate in a focus group, or share your experience as a first-generation student, please contact Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.
President Martin invites faculty and staff to attend a dedication ceremony for Collier-Scripps Hall and the Science Connector Building on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m. on the outdoor plaza between Olin and Collier-Scripps Halls. Learn more.
The following J-Term travel seminars have a few spots still open:
Learn more and apply here.
Questions? Contact Maria Rohach at maria.rohach@drake.edu.
— Maria Rohach, Center for International Programs and Services
The Adams Academy is a program of the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute. The yearlong program is designed to enhance students’ understanding of leadership at the individual, group, and societal levels through monthly educational workshops and activities. Adams Academy is for upper-level undergraduate students. Students who are interested in participating should attend one of the following informational sessions this week:
Benefits of Joining the Adams Academy
Joining the Adams Academy requires a commitment to attend monthly leadership workshops, attendance at the fall and spring Sussman Leadership Conferences, monthly reflection essays, and submission of a final reflection summary. At the end of the program, students will be honored at the Adams Leadership Convocation in April.
For students who already know that they want to participate, apply by Friday, Sept. 22 (attending an informational session for specific program details is still encouraged).
For questions, contact Sam Becker at samantha.becker@drake.edu
—Sam Becker, Cowles Library
Are you going to a Spanish speaking country during J-Term or next spring? Would you like to begin learning a few useful words and phrases in Spanish? Do you want or need to keep up your foreign language fluency? The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers free help in an informal setting.
Spanish Conversation Hours are scheduled four times a week and held in Meredith Hall, Room 204:
Mondays, 1–2 p.m.
Wednesdays, 2–3 p.m.
Thursdays, 10–11 a.m.
Fridays, from 12–1 p.m.
All levels of Spanish speakers from all areas of the Drake community are welcome. The group warmly supports all participants with opportunities for practicing Spanish; no long-term commitment is required to attend. A native speaker facilitates the conversation in Spanish in a casual atmosphere. Don’t worry if you haven’t spoken in Spanish for a decade, or ever; all participants are on the language-learning journey.
For further information, contact Assistant Professor Inbal Mazar at Inbal.Mazar@Drake.edu.
—Dorothy Pisarski, Associate Professor of Advertising
