All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Move-in curbside check-in assistance needed

On Aug. 15, 16, 17, and 18 we will welcome students back to campus. This year’s move-in process will be unique, and Residence Life needs faculty and staff assistance to make it as welcoming of an experience as possible. You may sign up for 2- and 4-hour shifts here.

Volunteers will report to the Carpenter front desk on Aug. 15 and 16 and Morehouse front desk on Aug 17 and 18 to receive instructions and the necessary information to properly direct the students arriving for move-in. Your role is to stand outside the student’s car, check the student’s dash sign to confirm they have completed preliminary information and their COVID-19 test (if they have not, re-direct them to the Olmsted lot). Step-two is to check the student’s government ID to verify who they are, and if they’ve completed their COVID-19 test, hand the student a check-in packet to fill out while in their vehicle. Once the student has completed the check-in packet, they will remove their student ID and room key, place signed cards back in the envelope, and return the envelope to you for filing. Lastly, volunteers will inform the student that once the vehicle is unloaded, they need to move the vehicle to a residential parking lot so others may pull up, complete check-in, and unload. At this point the student will begin moving in. Students may have three additional symptom-free individuals to assist—face masks are required.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear Drake apparel and their professional name badge. This helps students and families recognize your welcoming presence and to see the full breadth of support we provide our students.

Volunteers must be symptom-free, and face masks are required.

— Ryan Arnold, director of community engagement (pitching-in, because we’re all in this together)

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All employees to receive Drake mask

Law Librarian Dorie Knight

A Drake branded face mask is being delivered or made available to every employee on campus via building managers and/or department contacts. If you’re on or going to be on campus and haven’t received yours by Aug. 7, let Nate Reagen know. Thank you and we’re all in this together.

P.S. Each of our students on campus will also receive a Drake mask!

— Nate Reagen, President’s Office

Campus Announcements Archive

‘Griff: My Life as Drake’s Top Dog’ available at University Bookstore

Follow the amazing career of everyone’s favorite Bulldog, in his own words. In Griff: My Life as Drake’s Top Dog, Griff tells of his time as the University’s live mascot—from cheering on Drake athletic teams to collecting donations for his pet food drive to working as a therapy dog and even campaigning for president. The book is written by Drake alumnus Gary Porter.  Paperback copies can be purchased for $24.95 and hardcover copies for $34.95 at drake.bkstr.com.

— Katie Wilz, University Bookstore

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