All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

From the office of Associate Provost Art Sanders

The first of the monthly Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunches will be Friday, Sept. 29, at 12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, TMR 133. The discussions are open to those engaged in SoTL projects, at any level, from just thinking about starting one to almost complete, or those simply curious about SoTL. Participants are encouraged to share ideas, seek advice, or ask questions of colleagues engaged in this process.

This year, members of ITS will attend to provide information about SoTL projects that might involve technology usage.

To receive a lunch, register here by Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. For questions, contact arthur.sanders@drake.edu.

—Art Sanders

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive, For Students Archive

Spanish and German language conversation hours

German Conversation Hours
All faculty, staff, and students interested in using or strengthening their German speaking skills are welcome to join a bi-weekly Stammtisch (a German word meaning an informal group or friendly get-together). The group will meet at the Drake Diner biweekly on Thursdays beginning Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. The Stammtisch welcomes all people at all levels of the German language experience.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Marc Pinheiro-Cadd at marc.pinheiro-cadd@drake.edu.

Spanish Conversation Hours
All levels of Spanish speakers from all areas of the Drake community are welcome to participate in Spanish Conversation Hours, a free, informal setting for practicing Spanish. Spanish Conversation Hours are scheduled four times a week and are 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.

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 more information, contact Assistant Professor Inbal Mazar at Inbal.Mazar@Drake.edu.

—Dorothy Pisarski, Associate Professor of Advertising

Campus Announcements Archive

Professional headshot drop-in hours

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

 

Campus Announcements Archive

Campus pet policy

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

Campus Announcements Archive

ITS Banner 9 project update

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

Campus Announcements Archive

Construction update: Law School Parking Lot to close Sept. 26

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

Campus Announcements Archive

Three departments to relocate: Human Resources moving Friday

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

Campus Announcements Archive

Supporting first-generation students

CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO: Faculty, staff, and students share stories and advice on the first-generation experience. This video was shared with first-year students at recent orientation sessions.

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.

For Students Archive

Apply for a J-Term 2018 travel seminar

The following J-Term travel seminars have a few spots still open:

  • Belize: Poverty, Development, and Conservation in Belize
  • France/England: The History and Nature of Biology in France and England
  • Ghana: Community Engagement in a Developing Country
  • India: Developing Democracy
  • Mexico: The Other Side of the Wall: The Presence and Effects of American Culture in Contemporary Mexico
  • Rwanda: Ecotourism, Conservation, and Development in Post-Genocide Rwanda
  • Hawaii: Understanding Diverse Populations
  • Washington, D.C./Boston: Congress Up Close: Preparing to be a Congressional Staffer

Learn more and apply here.

Questions? Contact Maria Rohach at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

— Maria Rohach, Center for International Programs and Services