We are excited to offer the Golf: For Business & Life program back this Fall. If you are interested in learning the game of golf, this program is for you! For more information, check out link here.
— Lisa Murphy, Recreational Services
As a reminder, employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to continue receiving the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025 need to complete a physical exam with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Nov. 30, 2024. This is an annual event, so if you submitted one last year, you will need to do it again this year.
If you already had your physical since last December, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Also note that our Wellmark health plan allows for one physical per calendar year, so you should not need to wait a year and a day between physicals.
Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.
Please contact linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions on the wellness premium discount physical form.
— Linda Feiden, HR
Rec Services will be open the following hours from Aug. 26–Sept. 2. Please note that all rec facilities will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2 in observance of Labor Day.
Bell Center
Monday–Thursday: 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday: 6:30–9 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 12–4 p.m.
Pool
Check rec.drake.edu
Underground Fitness & Roger Knapp Tennis Center
CLOSED
Friendly reminder that this organizational view of institutional leadership is a great way to get to know the leadership here at Drake. Instead of just boring text, you will find photos of each person. This can always be found on the Office of the President page and is maintained by the President’s Office. Bonus: if you click on a person’s image, you will be directed to their corresponding web page to learn more. It is a handy tool, especially if you are new to Drake.
— Nate Reagen, Office of the President
As we begin the new academic year, you are encouraged to review Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan. As a reminder, this is our strategic plan and lists out all of the objectives and major, University initiatives. Please take time to explore how each of those objectives are embodied in many ways across our campus life. You can do so by clicking on the “Learn more” link or the “+” in each objective area to see more on student, faculty, and staff successes.
This site is continuously updated and can be also found any time by going to the drake.edu home page, clicking on ‘Campus Links’ at the top and selecting “Strategic Plan”.
— Nate Reagen, Office of the President
Renovations to Johansen Student Center are proceeding on schedule and we wanted to share some progress that has been happening over the summer:
We will continue to share monthly updates.
— Heather Winslow, Capital Projects, Facilities Planning & Management
Navigating Parking on Campus
As the semester starts, we will see a surge in campus activity. Here’s a closer look at how heightened campus activity may impact parking and some strategies for managing parking during high use times.
The Impact of Increased Campus Activity
This year we will see increased activity at Mediacom stadium. The increased Mediacom stadium activity will largely be focused on Thursday and Friday evenings from August 29th – October 25th. The events in Mediacom are likely to increase demand for the FAC lot (lot1) and Tennis Center lot (lot 4) after 3pm on Thursday and Fridays for visitors.
Many of these events will occur after 4:30 p.m. so it is good to remember that parking is allowed in all commuter lots after 4:30 pm with a valid 2024–2025 parking permit displayed.
This map (link) shows where all commuter lots are located.
The office of Career Services offers several opportunities during the fall semester for students to interact and interview with local and national businesses on the Drake Campus in the Olmsted Center. On the following dates, the Olmsted lot may be closed or near capacity because of events. Any individual with an Olmsted pass may park in any other Drake Commuter lot except for the Ray Promenade Lot (lot 13) on these dates.
Also, as we complete work on the Johansen Student Center (formerly Morehouse Hall), we may at times see increased construction vehicle activity to accommodate the project
Strategies for Managing Parking Challenges
To navigate the parking crunch, plan your arrival times strategically on the dates listed above which may impact parking.
Explore alternative modes of transportation to reduce reliance on parking. The DART bus is free for all Drake ID holders.
Keep up to date with campus parking policies, construction updates, and event schedules. Make note of the dates listed in this message if you park in any of the impacted lots. Read Oncampus regularly for other parking announcements.
Increased activity on campus can amplify parking challenges, but with thoughtful planning and the use of alternative transportation options, you can mitigate any inconvenience that it poses. By adjusting schedules, staying informed, and utilizing campus resources, you can navigate any potential parking issue more effectively.
For more information on university parking, policies and procedures, please visit our parking website.
— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services
Due to popular demand, the Office of Sustainability will be hosting another supply and textbook swap. It will be a two-day event taking place Sept. 16 from 12–5 p.m. and Sept. 17 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Pomerantz Stage in Olmsted.
Staff, faculty, and students are welcome to stop by to drop off and pick up free gently used office supplies. You do not need to bring an item to take something. All gently used office items are accepted; please do not bring junk. Possible items to bring:
This event will take place Monday and Tuesday. All items left over will be donated. Reach out to hannah.remke@drake.edu with any questions and follow @drakeu.sustainability on Instagram for more information.
Please no broken or dirty items.
— Hannah Remke, Facilities Planning & Management
Need some extra assistance during move-in and Welcome Week? ITS staff are here to help. The Support Center will be open the following hours in August.
Regular hours for the fall semester begin on Monday 8/26 and are as follows:
You can also contact us 24×7 by submitting a ticket though the ITS service portal (service.drake.edu/its) or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001 and leaving a voicemail if a Student Tech isn’t available to answer your call.
— Becky Klein, ITS
The ITS laptop checkout kiosk has been updated with 12 brand new computers for the new academic year. Additionally, the kiosk has moved to a new location in Midnight Hall at Cowles Library. Current students, faculty, and staff have 24-hour access to the kiosk to checkout and return laptops for free and use up to twelve hours at a time.
For additional information and instructions on how to check out a laptop, read the following knowledge base articles:
If you have questions or need to report an issue with using the kiosk or laptops, contact us by submitting a ticket though the service portal at service.drake.edu/its or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001.
— Becky Klein, ITS