All posts by Rachel Paine Caufield

For Students Archive

The Washington Center is on Campus

Can you see yourself living and working in Washington, D.C.?  A representative from The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars will be on campus on Tuesday, Sept. 25, and will hold an all-campus information session from 3:30–4:30 p.m. in Meredith, Room 237.

The Washington Center (TWC)  is a nonpartisan non-profit educational provider in Washington, D.C. that specializes in experiential learning for students across the country.  TWC is very well-regarded for its semester-long study in D.C. program, where students combine academic coursework, a full-time internship, and professional skills development.  They also run short academic seminars every January, offer summer internship programming, and have on-the-ground seminars during party nominating conventions every four years.

As an affiliated institution, Drake has a tuition exchange and credit exchange agreement with TWC.  One of the unique characteristics of TWC is the extent to which they orient their programming to student audiences outside of Political Science majors—from business and finance to media and communications, art and fine arts, law, social justice, sociology, history, museum studies, international affairs, english—their offerings and internships integrate a broad array of policy topics and areas of study. 

—Rachel Paine Caufield, Professor of Political Science

For Faculty Archive

Join the Center for Teaching Excellence

Are you an excellent teacher? Or even just a pretty good one? Or at least okay at some parts of the job? If so, please consider lending your insights and expertise—and, yes, time (but not too much)—to the Center for Teaching Excellence as we build a critical mass of teachers and mentors to sustain Drake’s teaching-central mission. We are seeking mid-career and senior faculty willing to serve as mentors for newly appointed colleagues; observers and consultants as part of our teaching excellence corps; and those interested in joining peer-to-peer exchanges.

To learn more about these and other ways you can get involved with the Center’s work, send an email to teaching.excellence@drake.edu.

— Craig Owens, Professor of English

HR Information Archive

Learn about change management

What do you know about change management?  On Oct. 8, Lisa Gardner from Employee & Family Resources will lead a presentation on the evolution and importance of change management. The class will be held from 1–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 & 311, and discuss how to handle change and the inevitabe twists and turns of daily life. It will also explore the concept of resiliency.

To attend the class, register online or send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, wellness & recognition specialist, HR

For Faculty Archive

New online textbook tool: Follett Discover

The online textbook adoption tool, now called Follett Discover, has been enhanced.

Follett Discover allows faculty to search a vast publisher library, view open educational resources, create custom content, and adopt their textbooks by simply entering the relevant ISBN. View a video for an introduction to Follett Discover.

An orientation session will be held Sept. 27 from 2–3 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 238. The University Bookstore team will demonstrate the new tool, provide access points, and allow time for Q&A. If you have questions or comments prior to or after the sessions, please contact Donna Hallstrom at the University Bookstore (1623txt@follett.com) or Derek Pollock (dpollock@follett.com).

— Donna Hallstrom, University Bookstore

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Security improvements coming to Drake-owned computers

In order to address one of the most effective and undetectable methods of attacks against campus technology and information, ITS is changing the way that administrator access is set up and used on Drake-owned computers. In the past, the accounts we used to browse the Internet, open email, and edit documents also had full access to install software and change settings on our computers. While this makes it easy for us to use, it also permits attackers to hijack this access to install malicious software and/or steal information. 

To help reduce the likelihood and impact of attacks, we’re removing always-on administrator access on all Drake-owned computers. With rare exception, the programs, applications, and websites we use to perform our daily work do not require administrator access to function. To minimize disruption when greater access is needed, ITS will be automatically installing an application called Make Me Admin on all campus computers. Make Me Admin allows you to obtain temporary administrator access when needed to install new software or make computer changes and removes your elevated access after 30 minutes. You can also submit a request to ITS for assistance with installing programs or making configuration changes, if you prefer. 

Make Me Admin will be silently installed on your Drake computer(s) over the next few weeks, and there are guides available in the IT service portal on using this new tool: 

How-to guide for Macs
How-to guide for Windows

Where always-on administrator access currently exists, it will be removed sometime prior to the end of the fall semester. This timing will allow us to provide the best level of support during and after the change takes effect, and a follow up communication will be sent around that time. 

For questions about these changes, please contact Peter Lundstedt, director, Information Security & Compliance, at peter.lundstedt@drake.edu.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Special Interest Committee seeks projects

Two years ago, the All Staff Council added a new committee, the Special Interest Committee. This committee explores initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus. 

Last year, the committee launched a staff mentoring program. That program has been transformed into a monthly networking luncheon for the FY20 year, which was highlighted in OnCampus last week.  

As a reminder, this committee seeks your suggestions, questions, or concerns. All suggestions are kept confidential. 

The Special Interest Committee Chair is Andy Verlengia. Additional members of the committee are Laura Bjurstrom, Jenny Jones, Carla Herling, Greg Lin, Niki Smith, and Patrick Williams. If you have anything to reach out to the committee regarding, please direct inquiries to Committee Chair Andy Verlengia at andy.verlengia@drake.edu or 515-271-3077.  

— Niki Smith, University Communications & Marketing 

Campus Announcements Archive

Healthiest State Walk

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The walk is part of the Healthiest State Initiative and its goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation.

The walk will begin in the Olmsted Center breezeway at 12 p.m. and follow a path around Drake’s campus.

We are again combining efforts with Sodexo’s Mindful Mile program.  Thanks to Sodexo and the Drake Athletics department we will have giveaway cooling bandanas, Grand Blue Mile tech shirts, healthy handouts, and samples of a protein drink available, as supplies last, for faculty, staff, and students.  There will also be hydration stations.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk a mile, so consider taking a few minutes away from work or studies to participate in this fun and healthy event.

For more information, email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, wellness & recognition specialist, HR

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lunch discussion

The first in our monthly Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunches is Friday, Sept. 27, at noon in TMR 133.  These discussions are opportunities for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one to almost complete—or those simply curious about SoTL to share ideas, seek advice, or ask questions of colleagues engaged in this process. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are still welcome to join us, and bring your own.

—Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost

Campus Announcements Archive

Walktober Step Challenge with Des Moines University and Wesley Life

Drake is again challenging Des Moines University and Wesley Life to a step challenge. We are putting together a team and want you to participate.

During the month of October, team members from all three institutions will track their daily steps. You may use a pedometer, fitness tracker, or smart phone app. Any movement that records steps counts, including walking, running, and fitness classes. You will be provided with a journal to make recording easy and receive fun facts and tips along the way.

At the end of the month, the institution with the highest average step total will win a traveling trophy and bragging rights for the year. Individual prizes will be awarded as well. We need your help to win that trophy!

This event is open to all faculty, staff, and students so spread the word. To register, email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 27.

— Linda Feiden, wellness & recognition specialist, HR