The National Weather Service will conduct a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 25. A test tornado watch will be issued around 10 a.m. followed by a test tornado warning around 10:15 a.m., in which sirens will sound. In the event of actual severe weather during the drill, backup days are scheduled for March 26 and 27.

The statewide drill allows us to test our planning and readiness and practice seeking appropriate shelter in case of a real tornado. Faculty, staff, and students should participate in the drill by following campus severe weather plans and going to the lowest level of their building away from doorways and windows. View a list of designated severe weather shelters.

Learn what actions to take when a tornado hits, whether you are outside in a manufactured home or in a building.

Wherever you are, remember that most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so protect your head.

Tornado facts:

• Tornadoes may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• Funnel clouds usually last less than 10 minutes before dissipating, and many only last several seconds. On rare occasion, cyclones can last for over an hour.
• Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
• Damage paths of tornadoes can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.

Tornado watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to the NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Seek shelter immediately.

— Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety

Some significant changes are in the works for Drake Dining.  Beginning in April, improvements to Hubbell Dining Hall will begin, impacting the kitchen and serving areas for both Hubbell South and Quad Creek. The project will be complete by the start of the 2020–2021 academic year. The refresh of Hubbell will complement a meal plan redesign, including the introduction of an unlimited dining meal plans. The unlimited plan options allow for unlimited trips to Hubbell to accommodate busy student schedules and a variety of food preferences.

The unlimited meal plan option, as well as new plan options with increased flex dollars, were developed after two years of study and gathering feedback from students. Several focus groups during the 2018–2019 academic year were instrumental in bringing a fully licensed Starbucks to campus. Follow up meetings with students in 2019 helped inform the new meal plan options.

Watch for more information about the Hubbell Dining Hall update and schedule.

— Kelly Foster, Finance and Administration

The Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and J-Term 2021 schedule of classes and related registration information is available online. Registration for all three terms begins Monday, April 6.

View registration information, including the registration time table that shows when you become eligible to register. View the schedule of classes.

Some courses will be temporarily reserved for students who have declared a certain field-of-study (major, minor, concentration, or endorsement). On Monday, April 20, those reservations will be removed. Note that some coursed have restrictions that are permanent.

If you are an undergraduate or pharmacy student intending to make any changes to your field-of-study and have those changes take effect before registration begins, you must file your changes at your dean’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30. Requests submitted after this date may not be accommodated until Wednesday, April 22.

For specific questions, including how to change your field of study, please contact your dean’s office.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar

Protex Central, a fire protection service provider, will be on campus Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 18, to complete an annual inspection of fire panels on campus. During this process, the horns and strobes will be activated for a very brief moment.

For questions, contact Mitch Wieczorek at mitchell.wieczorek@drake.edu.

— Mitch Wieczorek, Facilities Planning and Management

Recreational Services would like your feedback regarding our facilities, programs, and services. Please take our short survey, which will provide valuable feedback on how we can improve our services. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Next Wednesday, Feb. 26, is Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lent season for Christians. Some of your fellow classmates and colleagues may be wearing a cross sign on their forehead in celebration and may be off campus observing the holiday. Additionally throughout the 40-day period of lent, please be mindful that some of your classmates and colleagues may be fasting. Find more information on various holidays happening throughout the year.

— Erin Lain, Associate Provost, Campus Equity & Inclusion

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Tuesday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Distinguished Community Service Award
Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:

• A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service.
• An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation.
• Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others.”
• The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

Employee Excellence Award
The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

• Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
• Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt and quality service.
• Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives and services.
• Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University
• The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary.

The screening committee will review all nominations and make appropriate recommendations to the President’s Council.

The 2020 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 7 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.