All posts by Ashton Hockman

New self-service laptop kiosk

ITS is piloting a new self-service laptop kiosk for students, faculty, and staff. The kiosk is located in Meredith Hall. If you are a current student, faculty, or staff member, you can check out one of 14 MacBook laptops to use for free for up to four hours at a time. All laptops are loaded with software, including Microsoft Office programs, SPSS, and Panopto.

For additional information and instructions on how to check out a laptop, please see the knowledge base article, “Using the Self-Service Laptop Kiosk (How-to).”

—Carla Herling, ITS

New ITS program: Tech Tuesdays

Join ITS staff for a new program, Tech Tuesdays, on the second Tuesday of each month. All sessions will include a Q&A session (and cookies!).

Each month we’ll have a different topic designed to provide you with resources to use technology more efficiently in your job, and in your life. Feel free to sign up for one session, or all. Attendance at Tech Tuesdays will count toward BUILD credit.

All sessions will be held in the Dial Center large conference room from 2 to 2:50 p.m.

Dates and topics:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 10: Passwords, Passphrases, and Online Safety
  • Tuesday, Nov. 14: Better Working through Technology
  • Tuesday, Dec. 12: Internet Search Best Practices

Sign up today at https://itstechtuesdays.eventbrite.com.

Carla Herling, ITS

University Avenue project update

To clear the lots located south of University Avenue and on both sides of 26th Street, which will soon be redeveloped into a mixed-use space, two homes need to be relocated. The homes, which were originally scheduled to be relocated in mid-August, are now scheduled to be moved in October. The relocation date was pushed back due to the many logistics and parties involved. The move involves careful planning and coordination between city officials, Des Moines Police, and MidAmerican Energy.

Read more on the project.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

Students receive free admission to Drake home games

Drake undergraduate, graduate, and law students are admitted to all home Drake Athletics contests for free. Tickets will automatically be added to students’ Drake Card through Flash Seats. Drake Athletics has partnered with Flash Seats to help give students a convenient way to attend athletic events.

Students will receive a confirmation email from Flash Seats that their tickets have arrived on Thursday, Aug. 31. Once they receive the confirmation, they can head to the game and cheer on the Bulldogs. If a student does not receive an email from Flash Seats, visit or contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu. Additional student ticket information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/student.

Below is the necessary information needed for attending fall athletic events.

Drake Football:
Enter Drake Stadium using the southwest main entrance.
Present your Drake Card to the ticket taker. Your ticket will be printed at the gate.
Student seating is available in Sections U-V.

Drake Volleyball:
Enter the Knapp Center using the main lobby entrance.
Present your valid student ID to the ticket taker. Your ticket will be printed at the gate.
Student seating is available in Sections E-G.

Drake Soccer:
Enter Cownie Soccer Complex using the main entrance.
Present your valid student ID to the ticket taker.
Student seating is available on the west side of the stadium.

— Tom Florian, Ticket Sales and Donor Management

Fitness certification and education event

Drake is pleased to announce the third annual National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) Fit Fest education event Oct. 19–22 at the Bell Center. NETA is a non-profit education provider. The event is open to faculty, staff, and students. Participants will have the opportunity to become a certified group exercise instructor, personal trainer, yoga instructor, or a wellness coach. Already certified? NETA Fit Fest offers new and exciting workshops for all fitness professionals. It’s a chance to get credits, get certified, get connected, and get inspired. To Register, call NETA at 800-237-6242 or visit www.netafit.org.

Most workshops provide NETA, ACE, AFAA & NASM CEC’s:

• 101 Ways to Bootcamp
• Becoming a Yoga Professional
• Body Weight Training
• Catching Some Zzzz
• Fundamentals of Nutrition
• Group Exercise Certification
• H.I.I.T. It With Yoga
• Kettlebell Specialty Certification
• Medicine Ball Pilates
• Medicine Ball Power
• Personal Trainer Certification
• Ride the Wave Aquatic Intervals
• Rope Burn
• Senior Fitness Specialty Certification
• Senior Power
• Tread-N-Shred
• Wellness Coach Specialty Certification
• Yoga for Special Populations
• Yoga Foundations Specialty Certification

— Ellen Lowe, Wellness, Recreational Services

DUCSOM offers music instruction for students, staff, and faculty

The Drake University Community School of Music begins its fall semester of individual instruction on Aug. 28. Individual instruction is available for all ages and levels—from three year-olds to senior citizens—and is offered in piano, voice, and most instruments. Program information is available on the DUCSOM website. To enroll, contact Christine Schneider at christine.schneider@drake.edu.

— Christine Schneider, Community School of Music

Free online financial program for faculty and staff

Drake is offering faculty and staff free access to the online financial training program, 2017 Financial Fitness Challenge, through the Financial Fitness Group and funded by the Iowa Insurance Division. This Financial Fitness Academy™ is an easy and fun way to learn how to improve your unique financial situation.

Faculty and staff may complete the program at their own pace. It is simple and convenient with 24/7 access on all Internet-connected smartphones, tablets, and computers. Once enrolled, participants will complete a 10-minute confidential Financial Fitness Checkup™. Based on the results, they will receive some learning recommendations, but ultimately they can choose what is most interesting to them. There are over 400 Academy™ tutorials to choose from covering budgeting, saving, the basics of investing, retirement planning, financial planning, and much more. Participants can complete as many tutorials as they wish during the eight-week program. At the end of the program, they will complete another Checkup™ to track their progress. All responses are kept private and confidential.

If you are interested in participating, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Group exercise classes available at the Bell Center

Group X classes begin this week at the Bell Center. The classes are offered throughout the year with a new schedule posted each semester. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate. Some of the classes include Vinyasa Yoga, Zumba, Hip Hop, and Barre. Classes fill up fast. To view the schedule and register for a class, create a profile online at IMLeagues.com. Classes are held in the Bell Center and equipment is provided. To earn free gear, register and attend 15 classes during the semester. For questions, contact Drake Wellness at wellness@drake.edu.

— Ellen Lowe, Wellness, Recreational Services