All posts by Theresa Howard

Campus Announcements Archive

Law School to offer free financial and medical powers of attorney, living wills, and simple wills clinic

Drake Law School and Dickinson Bradshaw will offer a free community clinic to help individuals prepare powers of attorney, living will, and simple will documents on Friday, Oct. 25. Participants may choose from three convenient sessions: 9–10:30 a.m., 12–1:30 p.m., or 4–5:30 p.m.

Each session will consist of a 45-minute overview about powers of attorney, living wills, and simple wills, followed by a one-on-one appointment with a licensed Dickinson Bradshaw attorney and/or Drake Law student to complete the required documents. Attorneys will be available to answer additional questions. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain signed and notarized documents for their files.

The clinic will be held at Drake University Law School, Cartwright Hall, 2621 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, in room 201.

The clinic is being held as part of Drake Law and Dickinson Bradshaw’s recognition of Cady Day of Public Service. Cady Day of Service brings the community together to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court Mark S. Cady.

The clinic is free but advanced registration is required. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/powers-of-attorney-living-wills-and-simple-wills-clinic-tickets-1003704315627?aff=oddtdtcreator)

For more information contact Theresa Howard at theresa.howard@drake.edu.

— Theresa Howard, Law School

HR Information Archive

Workplace Illness and Injury Policy update

 Drake changed workers compensation carriers effective July 1, 2024. The shift to a new carrier, United Heartland, provided an opportunity to carefully review our workplace illness and injury policy. The revised policy is posted for comment. The policy revision requires a first report of injury within 24 hours of the incident giving rise to the illness or injury. In addition, the policy now includes details about how pay and benefits are handled during any related absence consistent with past practice and Iowa law. Finally, the policy also shifts responsibility for the policy and its administration to Human Resources. The office of Environmental Health and Safety will remain involved in investigating workplace accidents and working to improve safety on campus, while Human Resources will be responsible for managing claims, working with employees to secure care, and assisting employees and managers with return to work and workplace accommodations.

 — Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Self-Awareness and Emotion Regulation Workshop Series

WHERE: Pomerantz Conference Room, Olmsted
TIME: All sessions held from 11–12 p.m.
DATES:
September 25
October 9
October 23
November 6
November 20
December 4
December 18

The goal of the Self-Awareness Workshop Series is for participants to develop insight into the variables that make-up and impact their internal word; how the external world interacts with that internal world; and the formation and consequence of self and identity.

Benefits of Attending:

  • Improved insight into your inner world
  • Better understanding of your emotions
  • Develop skills to respond to stressors in the external world
  • Stronger sense of identity and self-concept.

Contact John.Roarick@drake.edu with any questions.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Drake Student Counseling Center

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library October featured collections

Join us at Cowles Library this month as we celebrate two vibrant cultural cornerstones: jazz music and America’s favorite pastime, baseball!
Immerse yourself in the rich history of jazz with our curated selection of books and DVDs that explore the genre’s evolution and its profound cultural impact. Be sure to browse our LP record collection, where we’ve highlighted iconic jazz titles for music lovers to enjoy.

Celebrate the World Series with our baseball display, where the excitement of America’s pastime comes to life! Dive into the legacy of the sport with stories about legendary players, unforgettable moments, and the game’s influence on American culture. Whether you’ve been a lifelong fan or new to the game, there’s something here for everyone!
Visit us in the library or explore our Featured Collections page online to discover more. We can’t wait to share these exciting collections with you.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Be your own cybersecurity superhero: Strong passwords and MFA save the day

It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM), and you have the power to protect your accounts like a superhero. October was established as CSAM in 20024 and gives us the opportunity to reinforce the importance of practicing smart habits to better protect ourselves against cyberattacks and identity theft. 

We’re also excited to announce the annual CSAM quiz – because every hero needs to test their skills. The first 150 people to complete the quiz will get a $1 coupon to use at the campus Starbucks in Olmsted.

So how can you be your own Cybersecurity Superhero? 

First, establish your secret identity by using strong passwords. Just like a superhero’s secret identity, your password should be unique, tough to guess, and well-guarded. Need some quick tips for creating a “bulletproof” password? Check the tip sheet on our Internal Site for suggestions. 

Next, make sure to activate your superpower by using multi-factor authentication (MFA) as much as possible. MFA is like having an extra superpower – it provides an additional layer of defense against villains (aka hackers). Our Internal Site has a tip sheet with steps to enable MFA on all accounts, personal and professional. 

Finally, protect all your bases by applying the strongest security everywhere. You wouldn’t protect only your hero HQ – make sure all your accounts (personal and work) have strong defenses. Consider using a password manager – it’s like your trusty utility belt. What’s a password manager? Visit our Internal Site to learn more.

Your digital world is safer when you’re a cybersecurity superhero. Stay vigilant, create strong defenses, and don’t forget to take the CSAM 2024 quiz to level up your hero skills.

— Becky Klein, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Outdated web browser removal: What you need to know

On Oct. 17, ITS will automatically uninstall outdated versions of the Chrome and Firefox web browsers from all Drake-owned computers, including both Windows and Mac platforms. This change will not affect Microsoft Edge and Apple Safari. This update is part of our efforts to enhance security and protect our network from potential cyber threats.

To avoid losing your personalized settings, remember that both Chrome and Firefox allow you to create an account and login to save your bookmarks, preferences, and extensions, which can be accessed on any device where you login.

After the outdated browsers are removed, you can easily reinstall the latest version of your preferred browser by using the preconfigured installation apps in Company Portal (Windows) or Self Service (macOS). These installations ensure your browser is automatically updated for better security and performance.

If you have questions or need help after this change, contact us by submitting a ticket though the ITS service portal at service.drake.edu/its or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001.

— Becky Klein, ITS

For Students Archive

Emails sent through Maxient are safe

Awareness of online phishing scams has increased, making the average email user more wary of opening and interacting with messages from unfamiliar addresses. Phishing scams attempt to gain private information by tricking recipients into opening false links or websites. However, students may miss important communications from the university due to a sender address that seems suspicious.

That’s why the University wants students to know that emails sent through Maxient are safe.

Community Standards and the Office of Residence Life at Drake University utilize a third-party email software called Maxient. It is a secure, web-based application that manages conduct records at universities and assists schools in sending out correspondence. Types of emails sent out through Maxient include meeting request letters, follow-ups involving conduct and non-conduct issues, sanction due date reminders, and overdue sanction letters.

In the “From:” field will be a Drake employee’s name, followed by “(via Maxient)” and the email address notifications@maxient.com.

Students receiving an initial email from Maxient will see a link to the letter sent from the University. The subject line should read, “IMPORTANT: A letter from the Drake University Dean of Students Office” or “IMPORTANT: A letter from the Drake University Office of Residence Life.”

Within the email’s text, students will be given a link to a login screen (“Pick up your letter”), by which they can access the correspondence letter that the university has sent. Then, recipients are directed to save the letter they have been sent and additional help links in case any issues arise.

If you receive an email from Maxient, this is a legitimate email from the University, and not part of a phishing scam.

For questions, email nick.shell@drake.edu.

— Nick Shell, Office of the Dean of Students

For Staff Archive

Bulldog Connect Lunch Oct. 2 at Hubbell

Join colleagues from across campus for a $5 lunch at Hubbell on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members of All Staff Council’s Events & Community Service committee will host the lunch, so you will have a friendly face to talk to. Come and go as your schedule allows. Bulldog Connect Lunch will take place on the first Wednesday of every month, September through May.

Campus Announcements Archive

ITS: Microsoft Remote Desktop app update

Microsoft is updating the Remote Desktop application used to access Azure Virtual Desktop. The new app, called “Windows App,” offers a modern interface for accessing Drake’s virtual applications and desktops.

Some devices, including both Windows and Mac computers plus some iPads, may already have the updated app installed. The app icon and name have changed from “Remote Desktop” to “Windows App.” Others will receive the new app in the coming days.

During the transition, both the Remote Desktop and Windows App will coexist temporarily. Once the Windows App appears on your computer, you can start using it. If it hasn’t appeared yet, follow the installation instructions in our knowledge base.

Please note: ITS will remove any remaining Remote Desktop apps beginning on Thursday, Oct. 10. Be sure to transition to the Windows App before that date for your virtual desktop needs. 

If you have questions, contact us by submitting a ticket though the ITS service portal at service.drake.edu/its or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001.

— Shawn Madsen, ITS