All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

New features available in Collaborate Ultra 

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is making improvements to security and adding new meeting features, along with other updates.   

June 13 changes:  

Shared camera option:  The share camera option gives you the ability to share more than one camera. Share your video and share another camera connected to your computer. Students can see you and anything else you want to show. You’re only limited by the number of cameras and USB ports in your computer. NOTE: The video will appear backwards to you in the preview but will appear correctly to others in the session and in recordings.

New edit session layout: The settings are separated into three tabs rather than three expandable menus. Update user experience for creating and editing sessions which also prevents unintended changes to a session from being accidentally saved. Administrators and session owners now need to save changes with the Save button.

Download polls: Now moderators, instructors, and administrators can download a session’s Poll report. This report (found in the Session Reports) includes the poll question and how each attendee responded.  

Download recordings: Recordings are available all the time for session owners and system administrators. Use the Allow recording downloads check box to let everyone else download the recording.

Whiteboard tool updates: It is now easier to select and rotate items on the whiteboard.  

Added in April/May:  

Guest access changes to improve security: The Guest Access check box is clear when a new session is being created. The check box must be selected to allow guest access. Scheduler users still have the option to enable guest access if they choose, in order to allow public access to their session.   

Meetings larger than 250 members (webinar mode): More on Collaborate’s webinar mode. Current upper limit is 500 members. 

July 16 update:  

  • Improved security on all new recordings 
  • Public access is now “off” by default for new session recordings.  
  • Only those enrolled in the course can view recordings by default. 

 — Karly Good, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

University services reduced operations

During the month of July, some University services will operate on a limited and reduced basis. Individual offices have developed service and communication protocols for the month of July. Plans for Facilities, Student Services, Conferences and Events, Public Safety, and Information Technology are provided below. 

Information Technology: ITS will be using student technicians to triage incoming service requests. With the reduction in front line support, attention will be on supporting Fall 2021 pandemic-proofing, completing new faculty and staff computer builds, and finalizing in-progress classroom repairs and renewals. As a result, there will be delays to overall support response and repair timelines.

Facilities Planning & Management: Coverage during the month of July will focus on health and safety related services. In order to ensure an appropriate focus on these efforts, non-emergency work orders will likely be delayed and service times may be extended. 

Student Services: The SSC will be closed. ID Cards and key request will be handled by appointment through Scott.Law@drake.edu, Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until Aug. 3.

Mail Services: Mail Services will operate  from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the exception of Friday, July 3. Pick-up and delivery will be limited to once per day in all areas. 

Conference and Events: The Office of Conferences and Events as well as the Olmsted Center will be closed from June 29–Aug. 3. 

Public Safety: Drake Public Safety will be remain open. Non-emergency service calls may be delayed. The primary responsibility of officers will be to patrol and provide for the security of the campus.

For emergencies or to report any issues, please call 271–2222.

— Scott Law, Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

Strategic Updates Archive

A message from Griff on his retirement

Griff posted the following message to his Facebook page June 30, his official date of retirement. His successor, Griff II, will take over full-time mascot duties starting July 1. A changing of the harness ceremony will be planned for this fall to mark the official handoff of responsibilities. More details on the event will be communicated later this summer. In the meantime, share a congratulations message and best wishes for Griff on his Facebook page.

My dear friends,

The time has come for me to sign off and hand over all mascot responsibilities and duties to my successor and best friend, George. There is no doubt in my mind that he is more than ready to assume the title of Griff II and all that comes with it, even though he’s wet behind the ears and awfully naïve. I truly believe he was destined to be your Dog, just as I was. I am excited to kick back and relax while witnessing all the good he’s about to do.

Thank you, from the bottom of my Bulldog heart, for the countless memories—they will stay with me always. And, thank you for all the love you’ve given me every single day I’ve been on the job—I feel larger than life! Being your Dog has been the greatest honor.

And to you, George: Go get ‘em, buddy. I know you’re still a little unsure about all of this, but you are going to be great and I couldn’t be prouder of you. You’ve got this! And if you need anything, I’m pretty sure you know where I live and how to get ahold of me. I’ll be with you every step of the way.

There is no doubt you’re in the best paws going forward, Bulldogs, and I can’t wait to be back on campus this fall for the much anticipated, first ever changing of the harness ceremony! Take care, my friends, and be sure to keep up with George right here. I’m sure he would love to hear from you tomorrow, so you might consider leaving him some words of welcome and encouragement as he starts out.

I am SO proud to be your dog! GO BULLDOGS, always and forever. Griff I, out.

— Griff

Strategic Updates Archive

All In Giving Challenge success

This week, we celebrated the collective spirit of the Drake community through Drake All In. I’m pleased to share Drake received $437,225 from 1,029 gifts during the annual 24-hour giving challenge.

This total reflects the confidence and generosity of our alumni, faculty and staff, students, and friends. Their gifts will positively impact many areas of campus, including our colleges and schools, Athletics, and initiatives for diversity and inclusion. In these challenging times, I am inspired and grateful to see the Drake community rally around its students and support the life of the University.

All In recognizes the accomplishments, dedication, and resilience of the Bulldog family, and we should all take pride in the outcomes of this event. It’s through your efforts that Drake remains an institution that individuals find worthy of their time, energy, and investment. Thank you to everyone who supported All In through your contributions, advocacy, creativity, and commitment to Drake’s mission.

— John Smith, Vice President for Advancement

Strategic Updates Archive

Financial aid appeals for loss of income related to COVID-19

The following COVID-19 update was sent to campus June 24 from Ryan Zantingh, director of student financial planning.

As we navigate unprecedented economic upheaval created by the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to make you aware of Drake’s financial aid appeal process that is available for a recent loss of income or other special circumstances. For certain situations, financial aid administrators have the authority to make changes to a student’s FAFSA in order to more accurately reflect a student’s ability to pay for college. 

If you have completed the 2020–2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and anticipate a reduction of family income in 2020 (compared to the 2018 income reported on your FAFSA), you may wish to submit Drake’s Special Circumstances Form to report your situation. Staff from the Office of Student Financial Planning will review your appeal and, if appropriate, adjust your FAFSA. This adjustment may result in increased eligibility for need-based student financial aid. 

Adequate substantiation is required in order to consider an appeal for special circumstances. Please complete the Special Circumstances Form with as much detail as possible and include supporting documentation when submitting your form. 

I recognize that a great amount of uncertainty about the pandemic remains and projecting 2020 income may be difficult. If this is your situation, I encourage you to submit this form later in the summer or during the fall semester when you are better able to provide accurate information. There is not a pressing deadline to submit this form, but understand that billing obligations will continue as scheduled. Accordingly, you should submit your appeal as soon as you have the information needed to do so.

If you have questions or need assistance with this process, please contact the Office of Student Financial Planning at financialaid@drake.edu.

Drake’s Special Circumstances Form for 2020–2021 is available here.

Please visit drake.edu/coronavirus, which houses a repository of campus updates and messages pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also provides answers to many frequently asked questions.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

New dial-in conferencing feature coming to Microsoft Teams

ITS is updating current campus Microsoft licenses to a new version that will allow all faculty and staff to take advantage of the dial-in conferencing capabilities of Microsoft Teams. After the new licensing is applied, you will be able to schedule meetings in Teams and have attendees join meetings by calling a toll free phone number instead of using the Teams app. As the new licensing is applied, you will receive an automated email letting you know your conference phone number and associated PIN. Please watch your inbox for an email like the example below in the coming week. We recommend that you save this email for future reference.

For more information on using Teams for meetings, see Holding Virtual Meetings Using Microsoft Teams (Best Practices).

— Christopher Mielke, ITS

News & Achievements Archive

Drake receives 2020 CASE Educational Fundraising Award

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) announced the winners of the 2020 Educational Fundraising Awards. Drake University was one of more than 100 U.S. educational institutions recognized. Drake received an award for Overall Performance in the category Private Research/Doctoral Institutions with Endowments Under $740 Million.

The award honors colleges and universities that show solid program growth, breadth in the base of support, and other indications of a mature, well-maintained program. 

The Educational Fundraising Awards annually recognize exemplary development programs based on a blind review of data submitted to the CASE Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey.

Read the full news release for more information.

Strategic Updates Archive

All In starts today!

Drake University’s seventh annual All In 24 Hour Giving Challenge began today (Tuesday, June 23) at noon and ends tomorrow at noon! We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this important event for Drake.

At at time of immense change and uncertainty, All In is a unique event designed to bring together hundreds of members of the Drake Community to support, share, and celebrate everything that makes Drake exceptional. Last year more than $500,000 was raised for areas all across campus.

You can participate in the event by spreading the word about All In today and tomorrow throughout your networks. Follow and share content on Drake’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, plus visit the All In website for highlights. 

Thank you for your commitment to Drake and for coming together to help build a brighter tomorrow.

Campus Announcements Archive

Planned Panopto outage June 27, 8 to 11 p.m.

ITS is making updates to Panopto ahead of the Fall 2020 semester. As a result, access to Panopto will be unavailable on Saturday, June 27, from 8 to 11 p.m. During this time, users will be unable to view or upload content to and from Panopto.    

We appreciate your patience while we perform this necessary work. If you continue to have any problems after the planned maintenance window, please contact the support center at 515-271-3001 or visit service.drake.edu/its to report your issue.    

— James McNab, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Reminder: Changes coming to email protection

In May, I described some upcoming changes to Drake’s email protection system that will change the hover text of email links. On Wednesday, June 24, we will complete the migration to Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection, and this functionality will take effect. 

As we work to adjust settings and improve functionality over the coming weeks, you may see email behaving differently. It may be junk mail that lands in your inbox, or wanted email that is delivered to your junk mail folder. In either case, the best way to ensure that emails go to the correct destination is to modify the message classification from your own mailbox. 

For Macs:

For PCs:

Because junk mail rules can be set individually, ITS has little control over these settings. If you’d like to learn more about how junk mail filtering works in Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection, please see Junk Mail and Phishing (FAQ).

If you experience any issues with mail delivery or large amounts of misclassified mail, please visit the IT service portal.

— Peter Lundstedt, ITS