All posts by Emily Madsen

Campus Announcements Archive

Rec Services Wellness update: Trick Shot challenge and Virtual GX

Virtual GX continues! For every five classes that you take Dec. 14 through Feb. 14, you will be entered into a drawing for a prize. There is no limit on entries, so take as many classes as your heart desires.

Here is how to access our On Demand classes: Login to your Drake Rec account, and click the Group Fitness tab. Click on “Classes” and scroll down to see our On Demand options. Once you decide on the one you like, click on the class and select the “Schedule” tab. From here, click on the class you would like, register to participate, and you will be emailed the link.

Social Media trick shot challenge: Have you seen our trick shots yet? Show us what you’ve got by tagging or submitting your videos to wellness@drake.edu, to be featured on our social media pages.

Looking to start the new decade right? Join our social media New Year’s challenge to help create goals for 2021 and learn more about the dimensions of wellness.

Make sure to follow our pages for more fun challenges and information: @DrakeRec on Tiktok, Instagram, and Twitter; @DrakeRecServices on Facebook.

— Emily Madsen, Recreational Services–Wellness

HR Information Archive

Dealing with grief over the holidays

As the holidays approach, it can be a time for great joy.  For some, this is also a time for grief.  Grief is a person’s normal, healthy response to a loss.  People grieve for many different reasons, including the loss of a loved one, changes in a relationship, job, finances, health, or traditions.  COVID-19 has created many changes in our way of life, and contributed to increased feelings of grief.

The December Employee Newsletter from Employee & Family Resources addresses this topic and shares tips to help you cope with grief.  It also includes links to past webinars and podcasts you may wish to review over the holidays.

Employee & Family Resources offers a variety of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources to help you now, or anytime.  You can reach EAP by phone (800-327-4692) or visit their website at https://www.efr.org/login/.  All EAP benefits are confidential and available 24/7/365.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Campus phone update: Headsets have been distributed

ITS has completed the headset distribution to all full-time Drake employees. If you haven’t received a headset in your campus mailbox, please let us know by submitting a Telephone Issue request.

Until the switch to using Microsoft Teams for calling in January, the new headsets can be used for online meetings and internal calls. Having any issues with your new headset? Check out the user guides at ITS Recommended Phone Headsets (FAQ).

To learn more about the upcoming change, check out the FAQ page at drake.edu/its/teamscalling/ or read our guide on Using Microsoft Teams for Phone Calls and Voicemail (How-to).

If you have a question that you don’t see covered at either the FAQ or the guide, please let us know at drake.edu/its/giveitsfeedback/.

— Chris Mielke, ITS

For Students Archive

Textbook rental returns update

Although rental books are due Dec. 11, the University Bookstore has issued a 30-day grace period to allow extra time for shipping your books back to us. During this period, all late fees will be suspended. If you have any questions on where or how to mail your books, please contact kyle.mcvay@drake.edu for assistance or log into your account at www.universitybook.com. The bookstore is also open through the break for in-person returns.

— Kyle McVay, University Bookstore

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Big changes coming to Blackboard Learn Ultra 

We have been keeping campus informed about the planned extensive changes with Blackboard Learn Ultra, the update to our learning management system. This past fall we upgraded to a new navigation to make our system more user-friendly, but there are more significant changes coming.   

Blackboard Learn Ultra is comprised of three components:  

  • Ultra Base Navigation (completed as of August 2020): Modern navigation that provides quick access to the most critical information from across all courses. 
  • Original Course View (Drake course view through Summer 2021): This is the current course view that instructors and students are familiar with. There have been minimal changes to the features and workflows through regular system updates. 
  • Ultra Course View (Drake course view starting Fall 2021): This new course view will offer a streamlined, more intuitive interface and workflows. The Ultra Course View is fully responsive for optimal use on any device, and new functionality and enhancements will be added regularly. 

Throughout November, we’ve released training modules covering the new navigation and the new look and feel for the Ultra Course View. In addition, we’ve provided all instructors with sandbox courses where you can practice using new functions and see how your current course structures will translate.   

Communication and training will continue to be provided throughout Spring of 2021 to support your preparedness for your Fall 2021 courses in the Ultra Course View. It is important to be engaged with the training offered as the changes in workflows and functionality will be extensive.  

Watch a video from Blackboard to see a preview of the Ultra Course View: 

— Karly Good, ITS

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Law School named a top law school for Criminal Law by PreLaw Magazine

Drake Law School earned a place on PreLaw Magazine’s list of top law schools for Criminal Law with an A- rating. Law schools were graded based on the breadth of their curricular offerings including concentrations, clinical programs, centers, externships, journals, student groups, certificates, and other offerings.

Drake Law offers students substantial opportunities to learn about and develop skills in the field of criminal law. With coursework ranging from prosecution and defense to scientific and expert evidence to global issues in criminal law, students can explore a range of subject areas. The Drake Criminal Defense and Juvenile Delinquency Clinics provide students hands-on experience representing indigent clients in court appearances, depositions, and negotiations. Since the ranking was completed, Drake has expanded its criminal law program even further with the introduction of a new Wrongful Convictions Clinic.

Students also gain practical experience through internships with offices such as the Polk County Prosecutor’s Office, Federal and State Public Defender, and U.S Attorney’s Office. The Law School offers a certificate in Prosecution and Defense which is specifically designed to prepare students for careers in criminal law.

Students interested in criminal justice reform can take advantage of unique opportunities through Drake’s Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation (IJRI). Advanced seminars cover a wide range of legal subjects like restorative justice, trial and jury innovations, and innocence projects. Students may also get involved as research assistant on some of the IRJI’s ongoing projects.

“Drake Law’s rich curriculum and extensive opportunities to gain real-world experience through clinical programs and internships prepare students to hit the ground running when they graduate,” said Jerry Anderson, dean of Drake Law School. “It is not uncommon for students in our criminal law program to conduct a jury trial before graduation. These experiences make them strong candidates for many different employment opportunities. As a result, we have recent graduates working as prosecutors or defense attorneys across the country, from Los Angeles to Cook County (Chicago) to the Bronx.”

— Theresa Howard, Law School

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

ASC holiday cookie decorating live demonstration

All Staff Council invites you to a holiday cookie decorating demonstration! Our own Lynne Cornelius, violence prevention coordinator, will be showcasing her incredible cookie decorating skills via Microsoft Teams Live Event on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m.
Please join us for this special event on Microsoft Teams or join from the event listing on the Drake University Campus Calendar.
— All Staff Council Events and Community Service Committee
For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Final grades due Dec. 16 (Law School grades due Jan. 12)

Faculty, final grades are due by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. Exception: Final grades for the Law School are due on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Your ability to submit final grades will be disabled at that point.

View instructions on how to send your final grades from Blackboard to MyDUSIS.

Those of you who want to submit grades directly into MyDUSIS should begin by clicking the Grading button in the “Faculty & Advising” menu in MyDrake and then finding the “Final Grades–Submittal Link.”

The final evaluation schedule includes a listing of when courses are scheduled to meet for their final evaluations.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar

For Students Archive

Working worldwide info session

Do you have plans for after graduation? Interested in living and working abroad? Look no further than Working Worldwide, an opportunity for recent graduates to live and work in China or Kosovo for a year.

A virtual information session is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Use this link to access the Zoom meeting: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/j/86221689464

At this information session, we will look at the placement opportunities in China and Kosovo and answer any questions you may have. If you are looking to expand your horizons, develop skills to be a competitive professional, and do something different after graduation, Working Worldwide is the program for you!

For questions, reach out to Education Abroad Coordinator, Nathan Jacobson at nathan.jacobson@drake.edu.

— Nathan Jacobson, Global Engagement