All posts by Scott Law

Campus Announcements Archive

Calling all designers: Campus contests soliciting graphic wraps for a new campus bus and DART bus shelters

Two different graphic design competitions were recently announced on campus, both involving buses.

Wrap a campus bus contest – Deadline Sept. 17
The first, offered by the Department of Public Safety, gives faculty, staff, and students an opportunity to see their design moving around campus on Drake’s third and newest bus. The contest asks participants to design a bus wrap, in which the winning submission will be optimized to a full-size wrap and put on a new Drake bus over winter break.

To enter, download the design template and criteria, create your design, and then submit your work by Sept. 17 to the Public Safety Office or email it to scott.law@drake.edu.

Designs will be reviewed and approved by Public Safety and University Communication & Marketing offices. The design is required to have the Drake logo on or near the logo placement as shown in the template. …and of course any designs that are of poor taste of offensive in nature will not be considered.

Wrap a Drake University bus shelter contest – Deadline Sept. 8
The second contest is an open request for proposal (RFP) process coordinated by Liz Lidgett on behalf of Drake University. The contest seeks designs for two bus shelters that will be installed on the north side of University Avenue with the completion of construction. Artwork should be created for each panel comprising the three sides of each shelter. One artist could be selected for both shelters or an individual artist for each shelter. The objective for the artwork should illuminate the cultural tapestry of the Drake neighborhood, and its namesake, Drake University. Submissions should be sent to Liz@LizLidgett.com by Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. Read the full RFP.

—Scott Law, Public Safety, & Ryan Arnold, Community Relations

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Social Sept. 10 on Ray Promenade

The Provost invites faculty and staff to the Drake Social on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 4–6 p.m. on the Ray Promenade. There will be a popcorn bar and soft drinks.

This year the Provost wants the socials to be family friendly. If you have childcare responsibilities right after work, feel free to bring the kids along to the social.

In case of inclement weather, the social will be held in Levitt Hall.

—Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

For Students Archive

Cheerleading tryouts

Interested in becoming a member of the Drake Cheerleading team? Members promote school spirit and crowd involvement at Drake Athletic sporting events including football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.

Cheer leading Tryouts
Aug. 30 | 6–9 p.m. | Knapp Center

For more information or to register for tryouts, click here.

Questions? Please email holly.schroeder@drake.edu

–Aimee Lane, Drake Athletics, Marketing and Promotions

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Koru Mindfulness Series

Koru is an introduction to mindfulness and meditation. It teaches you skills you can use to manage your stress, focus your mind, and gain perspective on challenges you may be facing. Using traditional tools from breathing techniques to guided imagery, you will learn how to let go of the thoughts and worries that can overcome your ability to be present.

Join Christine Urish, professor of Occuptional Therapy, for a four-part series that will meet Wednesdays from 2–3:15 p.m. on Sept. 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the Occupational Therapy building. You must attend all four sessions. Class size is limited to 12 people. Contact Linda Feiden for registration information. There are only two seats left so register today!

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Free ESL classes for Drake students

The Center for International Programs and Services wants to let students know of a great learning opportunity to improve English while being here at Drake. The Center has a comprehensive Intensive English Program that offers intermediate and advanced level classes with an academic focus. If you feel that you may be needing additional help in a certain English skill area, be it advanced academic writing, grammar, or speaking, or if you simply would like to improve your pronunciation, you may want to consider taking one of the classes. The best news is that all full-time Drake students, including exchange students, can take IEP classes free of charge!

Click here to view the schedule for Fall 2019. The classes currently offered are:

  • Reading I and Reading II
  • Writing I and Writing II
  • Speaking/Listening I and Speaking and Listening II
  • Grammar I and Grammar II
  • Pronunciation and Spelling
  • TOEFL Preparation
  • American Culture (This class offers regular field trips to various Des Moines locations to help new students learn more about the local culture, American values and history. This semester visits to  the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge are  planned, even a downtown bike tour!)

Please, note that these are classes are not credit-bearing.

Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 26 and end on Friday, Dec. 6. The last day to register for classes is Friday, Aug. 30. If you are interested in joining one of the classes or if you have any questions about the program, please, contact Dina Khayrushina. The International office is located in the International Center on 25th St.

–Dina Khayrushina, Center for International Programs and Services

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

August’s digital faculty member: Sandy Henry

Each month a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. August’s digital faculty member of the month is Sandy Henry, professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Read an interview with Sandy below:

What course do you use this technology in? All of them! But mostly in copywriting and content design, strategic message design and advertising campaign strategies

What type of technology (hardware/software) do you use?  How do I pick just one? I never met a piece of technology I didn’t like. All of my classes are hands-on, active courses where the students learn by doing, so tech is integrated throughout. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of in-class collaboration via cloud documents/applications.

In what context do you use this technology (assessment/lecture/group work/etc.)? I’ll put the students into groups, ask them to create a cloud files for all group member and myself. They can accumulate and curate source content, they can write and edit, they can design…the possibilities are endless, and I see what they are doing in real time (plus, the history feature of cloud documents, especially Google, is great for assessment after the fact because it records every action taken in a document, as well as the person who takes it). It’s also easy to add and remove members, so groups can be changed during the process.

How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy? Because my classes are active, hands-on skills classes, this is a natural fit.

Where did you get the inspiration to make a change (colleague/seminar/administration/etc.)? I was inspired to start doing this in the classroom because I was asking students to do it outside of class on group projects and it was working well – it’s natural to them!

How long did it take for you to implement this technology? About five minutes, we all knew how to use it, it was just a matter of explaining the process for the in-class exercise.

Did Drake ITS assist you in implementing this technology? If so, how? No

Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.

–Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS; Carla Herling, ITS

Strategic Updates Archive

Drake partners with Broadlawns to oversee student health and counseling

Over the summer, Drake entered into a partnership with Broadlawns Medical Center to oversee our services for student health and counseling while utilizing existing funds within the Division of Student Affairs.

We are excited about this new arrangement as it will allow us to build additional capacity to meet students’ needs, especially within the critical area of mental health. These services will remain located on the west side of campus in the American Republic Student Health building adjacent to Ross Hall with day-to-day oversight provided by the Dean of Students Office. There is no office charge for students to be seen by student health and counseling.

In regards to our student health team, we are fortunate to have retained our dynamic colleagues led by nurse practitioner Janet Fink. Sandy Corrigan and Mary Beth Olander will continue their services as our registered nurses. Jackie Robinson will remain office manager for both the Student Health and Counseling Centers. I am very proud that this team will continue to serve our students at Drake!

For our counseling center team, Danielle Green was appointed director of counseling services. Working alongside Danielle will be two additional full-time counselors, Karla Mracek and Amber Wilkins. In addition, Drake has given approval to Broadlawns to hire an additional nine-month, part-time counselor with the hopes of an Oct. 1 start date. We are excited to have Danielle, Karla, and Amber on board all while building capacity to meet the growing needs of our students. Learn more about our new staff!

If you would like to learn more about the services and resources provided by student health and counseling, please visit their websites at:
University Counseling Center
Student Health Center

Wishing everyone a great start to the 2019–2020 academic year!

–Jerry Parker, Dean of Students

Campus Announcements Archive

Basic door access information for new semester

As a new semester is starting, we wanted to provide some helpful information regarding campus card access. If you read the information below and feel you do not have the correct access on your Drake Card, please email studentservices@drake.edu or submit an ITS Help Ticket so we can research your card issue. Please be aware that some access is based on a specific approval process and may not be granted.

All Drake faculty and staff should have automated 24/7 exterior door access to the building that their office is in and have extended exterior access to other academic buildings for meetings/classes.

Students from certain majors are granted extended access to buildings relating to their field of study – this is automated and based off of either your major or specific classes in your schedule that may require access to a building. Students living in the residence halls also receive automated access to their hall, and ability to access other halls during the day.

Additional card access is available when needed and includes an approval process and manual update. Most manual access updates are tied to specific campus jobs or research. If you think you are missing a plan, speak with your manager, main building contact, or use one of the contact methods mentioned above for additional information. Once approved, it will take an additional business day for access to be updated.

Lost cards are generally turned in at the Student Services Center, and cardholders are notified via email when they are found and available to pick up. If your card has been lost, and you would like to freeze all activity until found, you can either contact the Student Services Center or freeze the card yourself in the eAccounts portal.  You can also add Bulldog Bucks and check card balances in this portal. Frozen cards need to be turned back on by SSC staff if found.

If your card is lost and needs to be replaced, you may purchase a new card for $25.00 in the Student Services Center. The lost card will be deactivated automatically upon printing of new card. If your card is no longer working (but has worked in the past), make sure that you are registered for your Fall classes – cards will not function if you are not a current student or employee. Also make sure there are no cracks in the card – cracked cards cannot communicate with door readers and will need to be replaced at the Student Services Center.

Have a great semester, and feel free to reach out with questions or card issues.

–Sara Heijerman, Finance and Administration

Campus Announcements Archive

Social Media directory audit

The Drake University Social Media Directory displays the URLs for every Drake University-affiliated social media page. Take a look around to see which departments have pages, follow them, and invite your friends to follow along.

While you’re looking around, let us know if your department page has changed. Maybe you have a department name change, you want a new cover photo, or you don’t see your URL on the directory at all. Either way, let us know how we can help by emailing Niki Smith at niki.smith@drake.edu.

Also, there is a student social media directory for all student organizations. Explore the accounts for virtual student activities fair. Niki Smith is also the contact for that directory if you see anything to add or update within the URLs linked.

–Niki Smith, University Communications and Marketing

Campus Announcements Archive

Join the University Book Club

We’re kicking off another year of reading with the University Book Club! Our book selections (and tentative meeting times/locations) are listed below.  We’d love to have you join us!

Fall Break –  The Good Neighbor – The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King (planning to meet up on 10/22 at Freedom Blend Coffee)

November – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie Night at Flix Brewhouse (exact date/time TBD)

Winter Break – Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini (planning to meet 1/15 at the Ingersoll Cheese Shop)

Spring Break – There There by Tommy Orange (planning to meet on 3/26 at the Drake Fong’s)

Summer Break – The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore (planning to meet on 6/23 at Louie’s Wine Dive)

If you would like to be on our mailing list, please let Sara Heijerman or Dan Chibnall know.  Also, feel free to join our new Facebook group for updates and additional information throughout the year!

—Sara Heijerman, Finance and Administration;  Dan Chibnall, Cowles Library