All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Town hall meeting on HLC accreditation and social event

Faculty and staff are invited to attend a town hall meeting on Drake’s institutional accreditation review by the Higher Learning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Shivers Hospitality Suite. Kevin Saunders and Craig Owens will present a brief but compelling summary of our case for reaccreditation and an overview of our continuing preparations. A short Q&A will follow the presentation.

During the social hour immediately following the Q&A, guests can enjoy a beer, glass of wine, or non-alcoholic alternative, and reconnect with one another as we embark together on the beginning of the academic year. Worried about running out of things to talk about during the Social? We’ve got you covered. An exciting array of posters will bring the accreditation process to life and celebrate our many collective achievements since our last HLC review, nearly 10 years ago.

In addition to complimentary beverages, there will be snacks and popcorn. Parking is available nearby.

— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

Campus Announcements Archive

Construction of Ray Promenade: Street and building access points

Construction began yesterday on the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade. All gates will be closed, limiting access to the construction area. The project, although weather dependent, is expected to be completed by the middle of December.

The Law School Parking Lot (north of Opperman Library) will remain open until approximately Oct. 15. When accessing campus, from east to west, use the north side of Forest Avenue or the south side of Carpenter Avenue.

Weitz Construction will be closing the south lane on Forest Avenue from the Science Connector Building to 27th Street. Concrete barriers will be installed on the south lane to enable pedestrians to use the west cross walk at 27th Street and Forest Avenue. Carpenter Avenue and Painted Street will be closed for construction. Click here for a map of the impacted construction area.

Building Access

The construction project will impact several buildings on campus. The buildings affected are listed below. The doors will be open to faculty, staff, and students.

  • Collier-Scripps: use the north doors
  • Olin: use the southwest door or the northeast door
  • Human Resources and the International Center: accessible from Forest Avenue using the Law School parking entrance. Enter The Point using the north door for Human Resources and the East door for the International Center.
  • Cartwright Law School: use the south doors

For questions, contact Jolene Schmidt at jolene.schmidt@drake.edu.

— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

For Students Archive

Open house in the Innovation Studio Aug. 27

Want to learn about maker and creator opportunities available to all Drake students? Come to the Innovation Studio Open House Sunday, Aug. 27, 2–6 p.m., in Meredith Hall, Room 124C, for 3D printing, podcasting, stickers, buttons, snacks, and more.

Drake has an amazing amount of resources available to any student who wants to create, regardless of their major. The Innovation Studio holds various workshops throughout the year on the creative resources available to students. For more information, email innovation@drake.edu.

— Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers

 

For Students Archive

The Harkin Institute is hiring student workers

The Harkin Institute is looking for student employees in both its public policy research and communications branches. Public policy, office, and event planning student assistants should have an interest in public policy research. The Harkin Institute has four focus areas: health and wellness, labor and employment, people with disabilities, and retirement security. It is not required to have experience in these specific focus areas; however, students should have strong general research, writing, and event planning skills.

The Harkin Institute is also looking for a communications assistant to help promote the Institute using a variety of skills. This position can vary depending on personal skillset but will primarily focus on social media, graphic design, video editing, and advertising.

Interested students can apply online. The application deadline is Sep. 13 at 11:59 p.m.

In return for high quality work from students, The Harkin Institute offers strong career development for student workers. The Institute prides itself on a collaborative work environment and offering student employees real world experiences as well as weekly professional development and a wide-reaching network.

— Mollie Clark, The Harkin Institute

For Students Archive

Golf for Business and Life: Application deadline Aug. 24

Golf for Business and Life is a non-credit, two-part course. The first part consists of eight to ten group golf lessons at Glen Oaks Country Club and a small best ball golf outing. Students will choose the golf time that works for them––Wednesday or Thursday evenings.

The second part of the course consists of two classroom speakers who will discuss the importance of golf in the business world. The sessions will be held on various Tuesday evenings throughout the semester from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Students must be available for both parts of the course. The cost is $80. Applications are available online at www.drake.edu/recservices. The application deadline is Aug. 24.

Who: Drake University students (priority for upperclassmen)

What: Learn to play golf from a professional and how to use it as a business tool

When: First class session will be Tuesday, Sept. 5, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Why: To gain the knowledge and skills to utilize golf as a vital business skill

For more information, contact Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu or 271-4710.

— Lisa Murphy, Recreational Services

For Students Archive

Order books online through the University Bookstore

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the bookstore’s in-store pickup option by ordering their books online before they arrive on campus. Students can visit the bookstore website and search by course and section, or view book requirements as part of their schedule on the Drake website. It’s a quick and convenient. Or, if students prefer, they can come into the store and shop the shelves. The bookstore now accepts Bulldog Bucks online and in-store.

Back to School Hours:

Monday–Wednesday, Aug. 21–23: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Thursday–Saturday, Aug. 24–26: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Monday–Thursday, Aug. 28–31: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Friday–Saturday, Sept. 1–2: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 3: Closed

Monday, Sept. 4: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tuesday–Thursday, Sept. 5–6: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Store Information:

University Bookstore

2875 University Ave.

Des Moines, Iowa   50311

Phone (515) 274-3401

Store Manager: Katie Wilz, kwilz@follett.com

Course Materials Manager: Donna Hallstrom, 1623txt@follett.com

Textbook refund policy for classes starting the week of Aug. 28

Text refunds are calculated from the beginning of the term, not from the date of purchase. Receipt is required for all textbook refunds. See important deadlines and stipulations below.

  • Last day for refund with receipt: Sept. 4
  • Last day with drop slip/receipt: Sept. 11
  1. Students must have their cash register receipt. All credit card purchases will be refunded to the card.
  2. New books marked in any manner will be considered used, and will be refunded at the used book price. The returned item must be in the condition that it was purchased (no marks, damage, original packaging, no missing pieces, shrink wrap has not been broken, etc.)
  3. 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.
  4. All labels must be in place and intact to receive a refund. Course packets are non-refundable.

— Kelly Foster, Finance and Administration

News & Achievements Archive

University Communications endows scholarship

The Office of University Communications has endowed a scholarship after reaching its $25,000 threshold in Fiscal Year 17. Funded mostly by personal donations, the Marketing and Communications Endowed Scholarship (which was named before the office changed names to University Communications) will benefit undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are studying graphic design, marketing, or communications. Students interested in the scholarship will apply through financial aid directly.

The idea to create the scholarship came from staff member Tim Schmitt, GR ‘08,’10, who has worked in the communications office for 12 years. He got the idea for the scholarship while working on an article about the difficulty some students have affording a college education.

“I decided that rather than just discussing the problem, I should take real action,” Schmitt said. “I realized that the people I work with shared my concerns and I also realized that, collectively, we could do more than just wring our hands over the problem and do something to make a difference.”

Once the idea for a scholarship was brought forward the entire staff responded enthusiastically and committed to making it happen.

The scholarship was funded almost entirely by personal donations from the employees in the office. The office initiated various fundraisers throughout the endowment process, which took approximately five years. They ran some silent auction fundraisers through a Facebook page, organized benefit concerts from bands that consisted of Drake faculty and staff, held food challenges, and ran office garage sales.

— Niki Smith, University Communications

HR Information Archive

Complete your wellness screening now for a chance to win a prize

If you are on Drake’s health plan, you can save approximately $300 in 2018 by simply completing a biometrics screening and an online wellness assessment this year. Think what you could do with an extra $300. In addition, if you complete your screening and the online assessment at www.wellmark.com by Sep. 30, your name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win your choice of a prize from an online wellness catalog.

There are three screening options:

  1. Complete a screening with your physician and have your doctor fill out a Physician Wellness Screening Results Form. This option is available through Aug. 31.
  2. Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee. This option is available through Sep. 15.
  3. Complete your screening on campus through UnityPoint Health. The on campus dates are Oct. 4–6, 9, 11, 13, 17, and 19. Online registration opens Sep. 1.

Faculty and staff can select the option that works best for them. However, it’s important to note that there are a limited number of spaces available for the on campus screenings, so employees are encouraged to complete their screening with their physician or at a participating Hy-Vee.

Additional information about this year’s biometric screenings and wellness assessments (including copies of the Physician Wellness Screening Results Form and participating Hy-Vee locations) can be found under the employee tab of blueView. The Wellness Portal is on the right-hand side of the employee page.

Please note that you must complete a biometric screening and wellness assessment annually to retain your wellness premium discount. Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Studio Arts parking lot closures

The Studio Arts parking lot (18 South) will close at 2 p.m. for a Welcome Weekend event and on several football game days. The lot will reopen approximately two hours after the end of the football games. See the dates below.

Thursday, Aug. 24—Welcome Weekend

Saturday, Sept. 2—football game

Saturday, Sept. 9—football game

Saturday, Sept. 23—football game

Saturday, Oct. 7—football game

Saturday, Oct. 28—football game

Saturday, Nov. 18—football game

— Scott Law, Public Safety