Underground Fitnesses is now open! The fitness center will be open the following hours:
Monday–Friday: 7–9 a.m. and 2–9 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 12–8 p.m.
If you are interested in working for Recreational Services, email recservices@drake.edu.
— Emily Madsen, Recreational Services
Last year, a new policy was developed to help ensure appropriate resources and planning are in place for any changes to University buildings or grounds. Even small changes may impact other systems or conditions, such as electrical load, air quality, or technology infrastructure. In addition, Facilities Planning and Management staff need to be aware of any safety, cleaning, or HVAC requirements created by the project.
The Capital Project Approval Process requires that all projects involving space on campus begin with Facilities Planning and Management construction management team, regardless of funding source. If the project is $5,000 or less, it may be submitted using the work order system and for projects greater than $5,000 the policy provides a process for prioritization, scheduling, and oversight.
Questions may be directed to Michelle Huggins (Michelle.Huggins@drake.edu) or Kevin Moran (Kevin.Moran@drake.edu).
The full policy can be found in the University Policy Library.
— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is partnering with Hy-Vee Pharmacy to offer flu vaccinations on campus at the Harkin Center, 2800 University Avenue, for Drake University faculty, staff, and students.
Appointments will be offered on Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Fridays, 12 to 3 p.m., from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15.
IMPORTANT: Approximately 10–14 days prior to your appointment, you will receive an email from nora.stelter@drake.edu with a secure link from Hy-Vee to complete the online vaccination consent form and enter your prescription insurance information.
You must complete this online consent form at least two days prior to your scheduled flu vaccination clinic appointment.
Prescription insurance is required for this flu vaccination clinic. (We are unable to accept cash/credit card payments for services at this clinic). Most insurance plans cover the cost of a flu vaccination.
For individuals without prescription insurance, flu vaccinations are available for $25 at the Drake Student Health Center. Contact the Drake Student Health Center to make an appointment at: 515–271–3731.
— Nora Stelter, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Full-time employees in a regular position at Drake University are eligible to participate in two tuition exchange programs, which offer waived or discounted tuition at other participating institutions for the employee, a spouse/partner, or eligible dependent(s).
Those wishing to apply for tuition exchange in the 2022-2023 academic year can apply now. Applications are only for students not currently participating in tuition exchange—tuition exchange awards for the 2021-2022 academic year will automatically renew for the 2022-2023 academic year if all renewal requirements are met.
There are 3 steps in the tuition exchange application process:
Schools have different application deadlines and timelines for announcing award determinations. It is the employee’s responsibility to submit the tuition exchange application early enough to allow time for step #2 to be completed in advance of each school’s deadlines.
Details about each of Drake’s tuition exchange programs are provided below:
Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE)
TE has over 670 participating schools. Visit tuitionexchange.org to learn more, view participating schools, and to submit an application.
Council of Independent Colleges & Universities Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP)
CIC-TEP has over 440 participating schools. Visit cic.edu/tep to learn more, view participating schools, and to submit an application.
— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid
The Office of Campus Equity and Inclusion is excited to support faculty and staff affinity groups. Please see the following descriptions, schedules, and contact information for existing and emerging groups. If you are interested in starting an affinity group that aligns in support of Drake’s stated institutional mission for diversity, equity and inclusion please reach out directly to Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion Jennifer Harvey.
The AAPI Faculty & Staff Affinity group welcomes all AAPI faculty and staff to join. You will be able to connect and network with other AAPI faculty and staff on campus. Please come to our visioning meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, at 3:30 p.m. We will meet outside at the covered space just east of Colliers-Scripps to determine how we can support the AAPI campus population. We will plan meetings and events based on what serves AAPI faculty and staff best. Please contact Maureen Yuen (maureen.yuen@drake.edu) with any questions.
The Black Faculty & Staff Affinity group welcomes all Black faculty and staff to join us for our Virtual Brown Bag Lunch Fellowship on Microsoft Teams. You will be able to connect and network with other Black faculty and staff on campus. We meet on the first Friday of each month starting Oct. 1. We will hold space between 12–1:30 p.m. You may join us from 12–1 p.m. or 12:30–1:30 p.m. or anytime in between. To receive the Teams invite, email brandi.l.miller@drake.edu.
The Latinx Affinity group is a space for LatinX faculty and staff to get to know one another socially and provide support for each other. We will be planning an outdoor gathering later this fall. Please email marina.verlengia@drake.edu to be included on our distribution list and to get information about our fall gathering. We also have a Facebook group, please click here to join!
The Office of Campus Equity and Inclusion is particularly interested in exploring whether faculty and staff with disabilities and/or who identify as lgbtq+ would like to form an affinity group to provide mutual support and connection. Please reach out directly to Jennifer Harvey if you would be interested in facilitating such a group.
— Jennifer Harvey, Campus Equity and Inclusion
The Drake University LGBTQ+ Alumni and Allies are hosting a Rainbow Welcome networking event on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Alumni House (2700 University Avenue). New and current students, alumni and allies, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. We’ll share information, resources, food, and fun. Meet leaders on campus and in the community who will energize your Bulldog experience!
— Jennifer Harvey, Campus Equity and Inclusion
The College of Arts and Sciences invites students, faculty, and staff to the 37th annual Stalnaker Lecture featuring Maura Lyons, professor of art history. The event will take place Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.
“Cut, Paste, Repeat: Satirical Collages from the U.S. Civil War”
We think of our fraught era as one in which visual satire reigns supreme. But similar strategies were employed more than 150 years ago. In this presentation, Professor Maura Lyons will explore collages that spoofed leading political and military figures during the U.S. Civil War. These collages, which combine photography and other media and hover between portraiture and caricature, reveal both the power and limitations of “cutting and pasting” during a time of national crisis.
— Kayla Jenkins, College of Arts and Sciences
A reminder to faculty, as the semester gets underway, about religious accommodations.
In December 2020, the Faculty Senate passed a motion that stated: “To ensure equity, Drake University will make a good faith effort to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students whose religious beliefs and practices conflict with an academic requirement unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship on the University community.”
The full motion provides examples of “reasonable accommodation.”
As a guide to instructors in planning their courses and assignments, a list of religious holidays where observance may compete with the demands of the academic calendar can be found at drake.edu/acad/calendar/religiousholidays/.
The list is not a designation of all religious holidays recognized by the University; it is simply an aid for planning purposes. Instructors should accommodate religious rituals and holidays that are both listed and not listed on this schedule. Please note that there are rituals of some religions that may not be scheduled very far in advance. Any instructor with concerns regarding a given holiday, or the academic implications of a particular student’s religious observance, may seek guidance from the chair of their department, dean of their school, or their Provost.
— Jennifer Harvey, Campus Equity and Inclusion
In December 2020, the Faculty Senate passed a motion that stated: “To ensure equity, Drake University will make a good faith effort to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students whose religious beliefs and practices conflict with an academic requirement unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship on the University community.”
Students can inform instructors of classes they will miss due to religious holidays via this form. Students are encouraged to have a conversation with their instructors ahead of time in order to reschedule exams or assignments and find a mutually acceptable path to make up for missed work.
— Jennifer Harvey, Campus Equity and Inclusion
When Executive Chef Angela Shultz arrived on campus, she was eager to begin working on a Drake Dining project that was near and dear to her heart—Sprouts Vegan platform, located in Hubb South. Sprouts is Drake Dining’s new, completely vegan platform. Sprouts offers vegan options at breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, but the fare isn’t exclusively for folks with 100 percent plant-based diets.
“I want to challenge everyone to try Sprouts,” said Angela, noting that the offerings will feature cuisines from all over the world with something tasty for everyone.
Angela’s passion for vegan cuisine is infectious—but she knew after some candid conversations with Drake students—she wasn’t alone; the students were clamoring for it too. “I got the opportunity to speak with some of the students, and I want them to know that I heard them,” she said. “It’s important to me that everyone who chooses to eat a plant-based diet gets a flavorful and well-balanced meal.”
Visit drake.sodexomyway.com for more information on Drake Dining locations and download the BiteU app for daily menus and more.
— Casey Morgan, Dining Services