Cowles Library has launched a new Research Guide highlighting resources and services to assist with remote learning and instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The library remains closed, but chat assistance is available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students, faculty, and staff can make an appointment for a virtual research consultation with a librarian. If you currently have books checked out, due dates have been extended to August 31, 2020. If you need to return items, our book drop outside the north entrance of the library is open. If you are able to keep your books until the library reopens, please do.

Updates or changes to services will be posted to the Research Guide and shared on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

— Carrie Dunham-LaGree, Cowles Library

We all experience stress in our lives, but current world events have more than likely increased your stress levels. Finding ways to cope with stress is vital not only to your mental health, but also your physical health. Join Danielle Green, director of the Student Counseling Center, for a virtual meeting on April 16 at 9 a.m. as she discusses stress and ways to manage some of the emotional stress you may be feeling.

Drake Recreational Services is bringing Group Exercise classes straight to your home. By using our Drake Rec App or visiting imleagues.com/drake, you can view our virtual classes and sign up for a session. New classes are posted daily, but all past classes are still open for you to join. Additionally, check out our social media pages for updates, contests, and fun with our staff. Email wellness@drake.edu if you have any questions or feedback.

Follow Drake Recreational Services:
Instagram: DrakeRec
Twitter: DrakeRec
Facebook: DrakeRecServices

— Drake Wellness

The library building may be closed, but Cowles Library faculty and staff are still here to help. Online chat is available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit libraryhelp.drake.edu for more information.

There are so many library resources available online and off-campus with your Drake ID and password. Check out the library’s Article Databases page for more information.

— Hope Bibens, Cowles Library Dean’s Office

Mail Operations: We are still delivering mail on campus with limited/consolidated routes. We will deliver mail to normal departmental mail rooms regularly. Our delivery hours during this period of social distancing are 8 a.m.–3 p.m. We have limited staffing on campus, so we are not always available at the mail room during this time. Please feel free to email if you have questions (campusmailoperations@drake.edu). We’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Students living on campus can pick up their mail between the hours of 2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, in Lower Olmsted. 

Students that are no longer living on campus will have their mail returned to sender. Please make sure to update your addresses for the remainder of the semester to your current location, especially any saved addresses or subscription services. 

Student Services Center: We are still staffing the SSC from 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday–Friday. If a time comes when this is no longer possible, we will post an update, and will switch to service by appointment only.

If you need assistance with a physical ID card, keys, or a parking pass, you may still visit us in Olmsted. If your issue or question can instead be addressed with an email or phone call, we encourage you to reach out with one of those methods to limit contact on campus. You can email studentservices@drake.edu, or call 515-271-2000 or 515-271-4748 (Sara Heijerman) for assistance.

Thank you for your flexibility during this time.

 — Drake Postal Operations and Student Services Center

The Spring 2020 edition of the Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal (DUSSJ) is now available online. Please see drake.edu/dussj/currentedition to view the contributions.

— Heath Henderson, Assistant Professor of Economics

The on-demand wireless network previously provided for special events, DUEvents, has been discontinued. Any campus visitors needing WiFi access should use the guest wireless network, DUGuest, unless they are coming from an eduroam-participating campus.

The security policies on DUGuest have been adjusted to allow the same access to the Internet that was previously provided with DUEvents. The guest wireless network allows campus visitors to self-register and they don’t need to get a WiFi password from the Events Office or Support Center.

More information on using the DUGuest network can be found at Connecting to the DUGuest Network (How-to).

— Carla Herling, ITS

The National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Des Moines chapter has developed “We Are Here. With You,” a suite of online resources “designed to provide inspiration in the midst of uncertainty and practical tools to help you navigate new situations.”  As part of the platform, they have put together an 8-week speaker series that features some of the top motivational speakers in the country. Each of these virtual webinars are free. Their opening event will take place next Wednesday, April 8, at noon. Check out the details and register for the webinars.

NAMI is also offering interactive exercise classes provided by Farrell’s Extreme Body Shaping and new virtual team workshops.  View more information.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Iowa is rapidly approaching warmer weather and air conditioning will be available soon. April 15 is the approximate date the official switch over from heating to cooling will take place. HVAC staff monitor the forecasted temperatures closely to determine the best date to switch from heating to cooling. This process takes about a week to complete, but with the above normal temperatures central Iowa is experiencing, HVAC staff have already started opening valves and filling the loop. Once the switch over is complete and outside air temps are above 65 degrees, cooling will be available and heat will be turned off until the fall. Since most of our buildings are lightly occupied, the setting buildings cooling temperatures will be a little warmer than usual to conserve energy. Jewett and Morehouse both have individual A/C units for each room, which are controlled by the student for their comfort. If anyone has questions or concerns with heating or cooling, please contact Brett Lovelady at 515-271-4728 or brett.lovelady@drake.edu.

— Mitch Wieczorek, Facilities Planning and Management