All posts by Sara Heijerman

Building Access and Safe Ride Hours During Spring Break

Beginning Sunday, March 16, most campus buildings (with the exception of Cowles Library, the Law Library, and Athletic facilities) will have limited hours for Spring Break.  Buildings will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and remain closed on weekends. Normal access plans will still function during Spring Break and buildings will return to their normal schedules on Monday, March 24.  If you will need to access a building during Spring Break, and do not normally have an access plan to enter the building on your own, please check the with the building manager before break to double check their Spring Break hours. 

 In addition, the Safe Ride Bus will stop operations on Saturday, March 15,  at 2:45 a.m. and resume on Sunday, March 23.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services

Apply to Study Abroad Fall 2025 With New Portal, Via

Global Engagement is excited to announce the launch of a new, more streamlined study abroad application portal! Students interested in studying abroad fall 2025 and beyond will submit their applications through the new portal, Via Global!

You will see our updated curated portfolio of semester and year-long study abroad programs, inclusive of Drake’s cohort programs, DU Spain and DU England. These high-quality offerings support ongoing student interest while still providing geographic diversity. Students can determine programs of interest by utilizing the Program Match feature in Via Global or by using the Program Search. If you have any questions about the application process or would like to review program options, please schedule a meeting through Starfish with Emily Erschen, Education Abroad Coordinator.

J-term 2026 travel seminars to be unveiled at Drake’s J-term Fair on Wednesday, March 12th 4:30-6:30 pm in Upper Olmsted. These programs will be available to apply to through Via starting on March 12th at 4:30 pm.

As a reminder, the deadline to apply to study abroad Fall 2025 is April 1, 2025. Apply for DU England now!  Want to learn more? Information session on DU England held tomorrow, March 5th at 12 pm through Zoom (Passcode: 826896), with an additional session offered Tuesday, March 11th at 5 pm in Olmsted CR 310. Questions? Contact studyabroad@drake.edu.

— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement

Drake Dining Spring Break Hours

Drake Dining will have modified hours during the week of Spring Break.

Friday, March 14

Hubbell Dining Hall

  • Breakfast 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Lite Breakfast 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Lunch 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Lite Dinner 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Dinner 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Spike‘s Convenience Store: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Starbucks in Olmsted: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday, March 15

All dining locations closed

Sunday, March 16

All dining locations closed

Monday, March 17–Friday, March 21

Starbucks in Olmsted: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Saturday, March 22

All dining locations closed

Sunday, March 23

Hubbell Dining Hall

  • Lunch 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Lite Dinner 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Dinner 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Late Night 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Spike‘s Convenience Store: 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Starbucks in Olmsted: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Faculty Social Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Howard Hall

Faculty and staff are invited to join the Center for Teaching and Learning for a faculty social in the Howard Hall Faculty Lounge (Room 212) on Wednesday, March 5, from 3:30–5 p.m.

The social is informal and family-friendly. There will be food and drinks available, music and art from Drake faculty, and of course, darts. If you have not come to see the new Faculty Lounge we would love to have you stop by.

— Bret Sikkink, Center for Teaching and Learning

Drake Rec: Jazz and Adaptive Dance Classes

Join Drake Rec for a new jazz dance class at the Bell Center on Saturdays at 11 a.m. The class involves exercises across the floor, choreographed combinations, and more. All dance levels are welcome.

Drake Rec will also be hosting an adaptive dance class for all fitness and ability levels on March 27 at 2:30 p.m.

Visit the Drake Rec App for details and to sign up.

— Gail Witte, Rec Services

Drake Rec Services Survey: Enter to Win Beats Headphones

Drake Recreational Services wants to know how we are doing. Please respond to the Rec Services Survey and provide some valuable feedback about programs, services and facilities.  Please include your name if you want to enter to win a pair of Beats headphones.

If you have any additional comments or suggestions, please reach out to recservices@drake.edu.

Link survey here!

— Lisa Murphy, Rec Services

 

Employee Appreciation Month Activities

Employee Appreciation Day is observed on the first Friday of March.  This year it falls on Friday, March 7, and is part of Employee Appreciation Month.  Please take time to reflect and find ways to show gratitude to your team and colleagues for their hard work, dedication, and effort on this day, this month, and throughout the year.

To help show our appreciation, Human Resources and All Staff Council invite you to take a break and join us for this year’s BINGO event.  We also encourage you to try your hand at one or more of the other activities listed below.  Details on these activities and other appreciation month resources can be found on the Employee Appreciation Month webpage.

Build a Bulldog
It’s simple.  Click HERE to print off an outline of Griff II. Decorate the picture using whatever artistic materials you wish and send your completed picture to Linda Feiden, HR, 3rd floor Old Main, by Monday, March 10. Your kids are welcome to participate too!  Don’t forget to put your name on the back.  Finalists will be on display during the BINGO event on March 12 for faculty and staff to vote on for awards.

Free Ice Cream Sundaes, Popcorn, and BINGO
Join All Staff Council and Human Resources on Wednesday, March 12, from 2-3 p.m. in Parents Hall South, Olmsted Center to enjoy some ice cream sundaes and popcorn, while playing BINGO. Prizes include a pair of tickets to the Varsity Cinema (and popcorn), gift certificates to Lachele’s, Drake Diner, and Café Chai, tickets to the Drake student production of “Legally Blonde”, Bulldog Shop gift baskets, and Drake Relays apparel.

Photo Scavenger Hunt
Recruit a colleague (or group), bring your cell phone, and have fun.  Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to receive a list of locations around Drake’s campus. At each location, take a fun photo.  Once you complete the list, submit your photos for a chance to win a prize.  All photos must be submitted by Thursday, March 27.

Give a shout-out
Shout-Outs are a wonderful way to recognize your fellow Drake faculty and staff. Simply write a sentence or two thanking a colleague or team for going the extra mile or showing support to others. Submit your shout-outs to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 25, and they will be compiled and posted in OnCampus.

Finally, All Staff Council is sending some lucky staff a magnet in March with a picture of Griff II ‘high-fiving’.  If you receive one, keep it for a few days, then pass it along to another colleague who also deserves a high-five.  If you have a magnet from past years, pass it along to another deserving colleague as well.  The magnets can be handed off again and again with the hopes of reaching as many of Drake’s amazing staff members as possible.

Please take some time this month to let others know you appreciate their efforts and know that YOUR efforts are appreciated.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Intramural Deadlines Approaching

The next session of Intramural sports are almost here, and if you are looking for some competitive fun then here is your chance to get in on the action. Innertube Waterpolo registration deadline is March 10 at 4 p.m. Teams or free agents can register through the Drake Rec App or IM leagues / Drake to reserve their spot today. Bags and Pickleball registration ends on March 12 at 4 p.m. Multiple divisions and nights will be offered—don’t miss out on the fun! Show off your skills whether it’s in the pool or on the court—become an intramural legend this season.

For questions, email Intramurals@drake.edu.

Bulldog Shop Spring Break Essentials

Spring break is just around the corner, and the Bulldog Shop has everything you need to make the most of it. Whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a road trip, or just a relaxing staycation, we’ve got you covered.

Look your best and show off your school spirit in this outback hat or crop tank.

You can shop in-store or online for all your spring break staples. From hats and sunglasses to footballs and coolers, you’ll find just what you need to kickstart your break.