All posts by Scott Law

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Drake University and Drake Public Safety recognizes the importance of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please go to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800.799.SAFE {7233}) for help.

If you are in danger on or near the campus, call 911 for the Des Moines Police Department or 515-271-2222 for Drake Public Safety.

Please download the Drake Guardian App at https://www.drake.edu/publicsafety/drakeguardianmobileapp/ for additional functionality.

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

Heat to switch on in campus buildings soon

Drake University will switch from cooling to heating in mid-October based on outside temperatures. We are monitoring the forecast closely during the next few weeks and are tentatively setting the changeover date as beginning Oct. 24.

If the forecast changes we will adjust changeover dates according to the temperatures. The changeover process takes our department about a week to drain the loops and switch systems from one mode (cooling) to the other (heating).  We start with the residence halls first because these buildings are occupied 24/7.  Once the switch occurs, there is no changing back until the next cooling season (in mid-April).

Thanks for your patience during this fall season when air conditioning may not be available and we prepare to switch from cooling to heat.  During that time if a room is not comfortable, please let us know so our staff can see if adjustments can be made.

Aaron Edwards, Facility Planning and Management

Panel presentation on expanding access to justice added to Law School’s Cady Day of Service programs

The Law School will host a panel presentation on overcoming barriers to justice as part of the Law School’s Mark S. Cady Day of Public Service programming. Retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice and law professor Brent Appel assembled the panel titled “Serving Iowans: Expanding Access to Justice.” The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. at Drake Law School, Cartwright Hall, room 203. The program is free and open to the public.

Panelists include Mandy Easter, Law Librarian for the State of Iowa, and Carissa Vogel, Law Library Director at the University of Iowa, who will present “Introducing the People’s Law Library;” Amy Skogerson, founder of The Law Shop, will discuss “Alternative Structures to Delivery of Legal Services;” and Carol Phillips, Executive Director of the Polk County Bar Association, will present “Opportunities for Pro Bono Representation;” Professor Sally Frank, professor of law at Drake Law School, will present “What is Happening at the Drake Legal Clinic.” Justice Appel will serve as moderator.

Cady Day of Public Service is dedicated to late Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady and honors his lifelong commitment to public service, access to justice, and civil rights. The panel topic is consistent with Chief Justice Cady’s goals and will provide students and the public an opportunity to hear about local initiatives to better address the legal needs of the public. “The speakers will explore a number of approaches to closing the gap for access to justice,” said Justice Appel. “Expanding access to legal information and services is critically important for thousands of Iowans.”

Justice Appel has dedicated his career to promoting justice. After earning his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Appel clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He then served with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. At the time of his appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2006, he was a partner at Wandro, Baer & Appel in Des Moines. In 2022, Appel received The Iowa State Bar Association’s Rolland E. Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award for his leadership in advocating for access to justice for all Iowans throughout his career, and for his outstanding work as the chair of the Iowa Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission since it was formed in 2016. Appel has been a full-time faculty member at Drake Law School since his retirement from the Iowa Supreme Court in July of 2022.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

IMT Des Moines Marathon Oct. 16 to impact campus parking

The IMT Des Moines Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16. 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. 16, 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

Drake Dining fall break hours

Drake Dining will have modified hours for fall break. See a list of hours for Oct. 14–18.

Oct. 14
Hubbell Dining HallBreakfast7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 Lite Breakfast10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 Lunch11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
 Lite Dinner2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 Dinner5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Spike’s C-Store 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Starbucks at Olmsted 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Cowles Café 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Oct. 15–17
Hubbell Dining HallBrunch9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
 Lite Dinner2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 Dinner5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Spike’s C-Store 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Starbucks at Olmsted 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cowles Café Closed
Oct. 18
Hubbell Dining HallBrunch9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
 Lite Dinner2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 Dinner5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 Late Night8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Spike’s C-Store 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Starbucks at Olmsted 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Cowles Café Closed

— Shaelyn Hankins, Drake Dining

Opportunity for your students: Nelson Student Research Symposium accepting proposals for spring conference

The Nelson Institute will once again host a student research symposium as part of the spring Global Citizen Forum to be held March 1–3, 2023. The theme for the 2023 Global Citizen Forum is Social impact and responsibility.

The Nelson Student Research Symposium promotes a university-wide discourse on global intercultural topics. It is recommended that presentation topics for the 2023 symposium align with one (or more!) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs provide a framework for tackling complex global pressing issues such as poverty, sustainable communities, climate action, and justice.

While research presentations that support the theme are encouraged, all global topics from any academic discipline are welcome. We anticipate that the presentations will be about 15 minutes each. Undergraduate and graduate students may present at the symposium.

Below are a few reasons why you should encourage your students to consider submitting papers for the symposium:

  • It is a great opportunity for students to practice presentation skills, and obtain useful feedback.
  • It is a platform for students to share the outcomes of their research on a global topic of interest.
  • It is a great addition to students’ resumes especially if they are considering going to graduate school.

Proposal submission

Papers (or concepts) should be submitted via Qualtrics formDeadline: Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

Questions?

Learn more by visiting the Nelson Institute website or by contacting Professor Jimmy Senteza.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

Bulldog Applause goes to Continuing Education and Professional Development

The All Staff Council Recognition Committee recognized Continuing Education & Professional Development with a Bulldog Applause for all they do at Drake. This department is greatly appreciated and we wanted to share with the campus a little more about this group and the importance of their work.

How many staff members are in the department? 
CEPD is comprised of five individuals: Chuck Sengstock, Kelly Marckres, Kendra Colbert, Jean Hansen, and Tracy Davies

What is the primary function of the team?                               
We provide professional learning opportunities to PreK-12 teachers, counselors, administrators, and athletic coaches. We also specialize in implicit bias training

Our mission is to provide relevant, high-quality face-to-face, online, and blended learning opportunities to PreK-12 teachers, athletic coaches, and administrators as well as provide professional learning opportunities to law enforcement agencies across Iowa.

What staff member has been on the team the longest?
It is a tie or close to it, related to who has been here the longest:
Jean Hansen—16 years, Senior Online Instructional Designer
Kendra Colbert—16 years, Budget manager and Assistant to the Director

Who is the newest team member and their job title?
Kelly Marckres- Director of Curriculum and Agency Accounts

Where are your team members located on campus?
All of CEPD works remotely but Chuck. Kelly comes in one day a week. We meet in person once a month on Wednesdays. Collier-Scripps Hall is our homebase.

What are some recent accomplishments that others in the University might not know about?
We recently produced a training video for Fareway Stores covering what to do in case of an active shooter. All 12,000 plus Fareway employees across seven states have watched this video.

How does this staff foster a sense of community and belonging through their activities or sharing together here at Drake?
Our bond as a team is we genuinely feel the courses and services we provide are making a difference in the lives of teachers, their students, and our communities.

Other noteworthy information:
We have won multiple international awards for course and program excellence from the United States Distance Learning Association.

We are recognized as a leader in online course and program design and were one of the first organizations in the country (2006) to design and adopt a consistent user interface across all of our online offerings.

—  Teresa Downs, On Behalf of All Staff Council

Celebrating True Blue staff

Please join us in congratulating the September recipients of the True Blue Award. Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Helen Frizel and Charnelle Harris, Catering, Sodexo

“Char and Helen along with Sky, the student worker, went above and beyond to make sure we had what we needed. They were kind and patient. They clearly communicated changes and asked many questions to make sure they got it just right. The whole team was outstanding all week.”

Alice Fynaardt, Administrative Assistant, Biology

“She has created a feeling of community within the College’s admin assistants. She always gets right back to me with correct information and good feedback and is cheerful about doing so, even when she herself is busy. She is an information sharer, and she wants all of us to succeed in our jobs.”

Mary Beth Holtey, Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

“During Welcome Weekend, we had a last-minute cancellation, leaving one of our departments without staff to speak with students. Without hesitation, Mary Beth ran the departmental overview, which lasts over an hour, with less than a 30-minute warning. She is truly a wonderful part of the Drake community, who is here to help at the drop of a hat and wants what is best for our students.”

Korrine Jackson & Heather Winslow, Payroll Coordinator & Admin. Services Specialist, Payroll & Finance

“Heather and Korrine are a delight to work with for payroll. They offer great communication and are team players for the betterment of Drake. Since payroll is a deadline-driven process, they offer quick updates and responses to ensure that everyone at Drake is paid correctly and in a timely fashion – something we don’t consider in our daily work at Drake because it is handled so seamlessly behind the scenes.”

Brandi Miller, Assistant Director, New Student Programs, Student Financial Planning

“More specifically, Brandi is a leader in serving Black staff and faculty on campus, to build a sense of belonging and voice. She organizes the Black affinity group and has been a strong voice in bringing forward issues and concerns. Brandi’s steadfast leadership demonstrates integrity and purpose. We are lucky to have her at Drake.”

Kara Vaughn, Associate Director of Annual Giving, University Advancement

“Kara epitomizes Drake’s core values every day. She is one of the first to raise a hand or jump in to help when needed. She is a cheerleader for her teammates – she celebrates successes and offers empathy during difficult times. She is a friend to all on our team and makes every effort to make others feel welcome and included.”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

— Betsy Wilson, On behalf of All Staff Council

Complete your physical by Nov. 30 to receive wellness health insurance discount

Important Reminder: Employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to receive a wellness health insurance premium discount in 2023, need to complete a physical with their Primary Care Physician (PCP) between Dec. 1, 2021 and Nov. 30, 2022 and submit a Premium Discount – Annual Physical Form by Dec. 2, 2022.  This is the only option to receive the discount in 2023. 

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship. 

If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.   

Please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions. 

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources