All posts by Ashton Hockman

COVID-19 Update: Drake University preparing to meet ETS deadlines

Full-time, part-time, and student workers are subject to these requirements

The recent emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all employers with 100 or more employees to either ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or require unvaccinated workers to mask and produce a negative test result on a weekly basis.

Drake continues to review the ETS and is monitoring pending legal challenges. However, in the meantime, the University must prepare to meet the upcoming ETS deadlines to ensure compliance with its requirements. To be considered fully vaccinated by the Jan. 4 deadline currently set in the ETS, employees who are not already fully vaccinated will need to start the vaccination process by the dates listed below.

Moderna: First dose by Nov. 23, 2021.
Pfizer: First dose by Nov. 30, 2021.
Johnson & Johnson: Dose needed by Dec. 21, 2021.

An individual is fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is free and readily available in our community, often without an appointment. Find a convenient location.

Drake employees who are fully vaccinated but have not yet notified the University of their full vaccination status are asked to do so by Nov. 23, through Drake’s secure online form. Moreover, employees who have attested to being vaccinated, but have not yet uploaded a photo of their vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form, need to complete this step by Nov. 23. Failure to submit proof of vaccination, will result in these employees being considered unvaccinated.

As a result of our community’s efforts to encourage vaccinations, the vast majority of our employees are already vaccinated and have uploaded documentation of their vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form. For these individuals, there is no further action needed. Thank you for doing your part.

The federal vaccine requirement applies to all Drake University full-time, part-time, and student employees.

Let’s continue doing our part. If you haven’t been vaccinated, act now to protect yourself and others and to continue the important work of our University.  

“See something, say something:” Catalytic converter theft

Drake Public Safety has received reports of stolen catalytic converters from vehicles in campus parking lots, so once again, we are asking members of the campus community to “say something, if you see something.”

Throughout Des Moines and the rest of the country, catalytic converters are probably being stolen for scrap, or they could be reselling them to people installing them in cars. All cars have catalytic converters, so any car could be the subject of a theft.

Because removing a catalytic converter typically requires getting underneath the vehicle with a metal saw or some other type of heavy-duty cutting tool, DPS is asking people to watch for suspicious activity in and around parking lots. 

If your car has had its catalytic converter stolen or you have observed someone underneath vehicles or tampering with cars, we ask that you contact Drake Public Safety at 515–271–3860 or contact the Des Moines Police Department by calling 911.

— Scott Law, Director of Public Safety

COVID-19 Update: Federal vaccine requirement for employees, submit proof of vaccination by Nov. 23

Full-time, part-time, and student workers are subject to these requirements

An emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last week requires all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or require unvaccinated workers to produce a negative test result on a weekly basis.

Drake continues to review the ETS and is monitoring pending legal challenges. However, in the meantime, the University must prepare to meet the upcoming ETS deadlines, to ensure compliance with its requirements.

As a result of our community’s efforts to encourage vaccinations, the vast majority of our employees are already vaccinated and have uploaded documentation of their vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form. For these individuals, there is no further action needed. Thank you for doing your part.

Drake employees who have not yet notified the University of their full vaccination status are asked to do so by Nov. 23, through Drake’s secure online form. The federal vaccine requirement applies to all Drake University full-time, part-time, and student employees.

Moreover, employees who have attested to being vaccinated, but have not yet uploaded a photo of their vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form, are expected to complete this step by Nov. 23. Failure to submit proof of vaccination, will result in these employees being considered unvaccinated.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free and readily available in our community, often without an appointment. Find a convenient location.

Let’s continue doing our part. If you haven’t been vaccinated, act now to protect yourself and others and to continue the important work of our University.  

Drake launches The Ones

On Thursday, Oct. 28, Drake kicked off the most ambitious comprehensive campaign in its history: The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold.

If you missed the launch, watch it at drake.edu/nextgreatera. Also, watch a video message sent to campus from President Martin on Friday, Oct. 29.

To learn more about The Ones, read the news release and visit the website theones.drake.edu, which highlights the campaign’s seven priorities, including significant progress already achieved to date. In addition, read the inspiring case for support that captures the imagination of what this campaign can and should be.

Faculty, staff, and students are the heart of Drake and its strongest ambassadors. Together, we can bring this inspiring campaign to life that will transform lives and strengthen communities.

You’re invited: Join us Oct. 28 for a momentous virtual event

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to come together virtually at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, as the University shares bold, ambitious, and inspiring plans for its future. Faculty, staff, and students are the heart of this University, which is why we hope you will join us at drake.edu/nextgreatera to be a part of history with your fellow bulldogs.

There has never been a more important moment in Drake’s history to meet the challenges faced by our campus, our community, our country, and our world. 

The only way we can transform lives, strengthen communities, unite this nation, ignite the youth, and push society forward—is to do it together. We are the ones built for change.

We are the bulldogs. The devoted alumni, the dedicated friends, the driven faculty and staff, the diverse student body—the dynamic, connected, committed, and capable—redefining what a university does by reimagining what a university should be. We are a collective determining our own destiny.

Note: If you are unable to join on Oct. 28, the content will remain accessible at drake.edu/nextgreatera to view at a later date.

New process for COVID-19 testing on campus starting tomorrow

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 20, there will be a new process for obtaining a COVID-19 test on campus.

Test Iowa self-administered saliva PCR test kits will be available at the Student Services Center in the Olmsted Center. Students, faculty, and staff can pick up a test kit at no cost, and no reason is needed to receive a test kit.

Students with COVID-19 like symptoms are asked to notify the Student Health Center before administering a test so they can help determine if a provider visit is needed.

To take the test, follow the instructions included in the test kit. Please remember to record the test’s bar code number, which is needed to look up test results. Upon completion, return the test kit to the Student Services Center. Important: Student Services will only accept returned test kits between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Public Safety will collect returned test kits every weekday at 2:30 p.m. and deliver the samples to Polk County Health Department for testing. Results will be available through Test Iowa within 24 hours after the test kit is received. 

If you have a positive test result, please email the Contact Tracing Team immediately at contacttracing@drake.edu.

You’re invited: Join us Oct. 28 for a momentous virtual event

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to come together virtually at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday. Join us at drake.edu/nextgreatera.

There has never been a more important moment in Drake’s history to meet the challenges faced by our campus, our community, our country, and our world. 

The only way we can transform lives, strengthen communities, unite this nation, ignite the youth, and push society forward—is to do it together. We are the ones built for change.

We are the bulldogs. The devoted alumni, the dedicated friends, the driven faculty and staff, the diverse student body—the dynamic, connected, committed, and capable—redefining what a university does by reimagining what a university should be. We are a collective determining our own destiny.

Professional Headshot Day

University Communications and Marketing is sponsoring a Professional Headshot Day Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kern Commons, Cartwright Hall, Drake Law School. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Please sign up for a time slot. Advanced sign up will allow us to maintain social distancing. Masks will be required until it is your turn.

— Jeremy Sievers, University Communications and Marketing

Des Moines Marathon to affect parking Oct. 17

The IMT Des Moines Marathon is Sunday, Oct. 17. Drake University is proud to be part of this great Des Moines tradition. The marathon will impact roads and travel throughout Des Moines and specifically at the University at miles 11 and 12. Travel on and around campus will be impacted during the race.

Mile 11 travels down 25th Street and Forest Avenue to Drake Stadium as participants take a lap around the iconic Blue oval. Mile 12 leaves the stadium and enters the campus proper on the sidewalks at the Ray Plaza and continues to Carpenter Avenue and back out to 25th Street.  

There is no parking on Sunday, Oct. 17, along the race route, including but not limited to, 25th Street from University Avenue to Forest Avenue, along Forest Avenue from 25th Street to 27th Street, and on Carpenter Avenue from 25th Street to Painted Street (in front of Carnegie, Old Main, the Law School and FAC) on campus. Vehicles parked in these areas or anywhere along the course route will be towed at the owners expense.

Please expect increased activity and noise during the race. Race marshals will be stationed along the path along with Des Moines Police and Drake Public Safety officers on the campus to keep the course safe for participants and spectators. We ask that you follow the direction of course marshals for everyone’s safety.  

For more information about the IMT Des Moines Marathon and potential road closures or disruptions throughout the city, please see the race map.

— Scott Law, Executive Director, Public Safety & Operational Services