Sign up now for the 51st annual Drake Road Races on April 20. The 5k, 10k, and half marathon all start just outside of Drake Stadium and finish on the world famous Blue Oval. Drake faculty, staff, and students can get discounted pricing through April 3 by using their drake.edu email address and registering at drakerelays.org/roadraces. Your Drake discount allows for $20 5k pricing, $30 10k pricing, and $40 for the half marathon. You must use your Drake email account to get the specialty pricing but are allowed to sign up family members under your account. Just use coupon code drake2019 on the last page of registration. Grand Blue Mile registration opens on Feb 12 with a two day $10 Flash Sale—sign up for both events to earn a Bulldog Double medal. Find more info at www.GrandBlueMile.com and www.DrakeRelays.org/roadraces.

Dan Hostager, Assistant Drake Relays Director

The ITS support center returned to its usual location in the lower level of Carnegie Hall over break. The support center was relocated during the fall semester due to the rain event. The support center is open for walk-in assistance Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also get 24/7 tech support by calling 515-271-3001 or submitting a request online at service.drake.edu/its.

Numerous injuries result from slips and falls on icy sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and other outdoor locations. Here are 10 tips to reduce injuries from wet and icy surfaces.

1. Snow removal and salting of slick areas can help. However, many times, total elimination of the hazard is impossible.
2. Be aware of your surroundings. Anticipate the fact that you are apt to fall at any moment when walking on ice. Often ice will appear in the morning, in shady spots, or where the sun shines during the day and melted snow refreezes at night.
3. Wear appropriate footwear. Footwear should have low heels with soles constructed of a slip-resistant material. Don’t wear footwear that is not able to grip the surface on which you are walking.
4. Be careful when shifting your weight. When stepping off a curb or getting into a car, shifting your weight may cause an imbalance and result in a fall.
5. Adjust your stride. Take shorter steps and walk with your feet spread further apart laterally so that your center of gravity is maintained directly above your feet at all times.
6. Plan ahead. While walking on snow or ice, walk consciously. Instead of looking down, look up to see where your feet will move next to anticipate ice or an uneven surface. Occasionally scan from left to right to ensure you are not in the way of vehicles or other hazards. Be careful about what you walk under. Injuries can result from falling snow/ice as it blows, melts, or breaks away from buildings.
7. While seeing the environment is important, you also want to listen for approaching traffic and other noises. Avoid listening to music or engaging in conversation that may prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic or snow removal equipment.
8. Take steps slowly. When walking down steps, be sure to grip handrails firmly and plant your feet securely on each step.
9. Don’t take shortcuts. A shortcut path may be treacherous if it is located where snow and ice removal is not possible.
10. Watch out for wet entryways. When you get to your destination, be sure to look at the floor as you enter the building. The floor may be wet with melted snow and ice. Try not to track snow into buildings. Wipe your feet off at the entrance so others won’t slip and fall on melted snow.

Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety

Portable electric space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat in cold weather. Unfortunately, they can pose significant fire and electric shock hazards if not used properly. Space heaters without adequate safety features, those placed near combustibles, or space heaters that are improperly plugged in can cause fire and electrical hazards.

Space heaters used at Drake should meet the following safety criteria:

• Tip-over power cut-off switch 
• Automatic thermostat control 
• Overheat protection device (shuts power off if unit overheats)
• UL approval 
• Housing that is cool to touch 

Safety should always be a top consideration when using space heaters. Here are some tips for keeping safe and warm when it’s cold outside:

• Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
• Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
• Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
• Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, or furniture
• Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.

Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety

Online Graduate Programs has merged with several professional and continuing education programs across Drake to form Drake Online and Continuing Education. Christina Trombley will serve as the executive director and includes what was formerly Executive Education out of the President’s Office and has stronger ties with the work done through the Center for Professional Studies and training and development at The Robert D. and Billy Ray Center. 

Drake Online and Continuing Education will strengthen collaboration and centralize many services, increasing both efficiency and effectiveness of Drake’s continuing and professional education services while eliminating duplication of efforts and confusion in the marketplace. Drake Online and Continuing Education will oversee all new business moving forward, including decisions on pricing, contracts, marketing, curricular and programmatic changes, and responsibilities. 

The new team has spent the last three months strategizing and developing major goals for the next year. These goals establish both the direction for this new team and the guidelines for how Drake will proactively work to become a resource for businesses and organizations in the Des Moines metro and the state of Iowa. The goals are as follows:

• Develop the model/processes to create “multiple touches” from DSM businesses
• Clarify markets and customer benefits to streamline sales
• Identify new opportunities and leverage goodwill within DSM and Iowa
• Develop and maintain human capital resources to provide training/consulting
• Clarify financial management and budgets for programs
• Develop system(s) and processes for registration and reporting to quantify economic data impact

Drake University has ample opportunity for market penetration and product development. By working together under the umbrella of Drake Online and Continuing Education more businesses can be reached without duplicating efforts. In addition, by focusing on business and customer needs, new products and programming can be developed to meet the changing needs of businesses. Currently, work is happening to strengthen marketing efforts for Leading Others, determine specific stand-alone programming for both open enrollment and customized training, and to develop certificate programs for the area’s workforce.   

Christina Trombley, Drake Online and Continuing Education

Drake Relays ticket packages go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 30.  Drake faculty and staff receive a discount on ticket packages and single-session tickets.  To get the best available seats, purchase All-Session tickets today.

Faculty and staff pricing can be found at DrakeTix.com/drakerelays.  Discounted tickets can be purchased by visiting the Knapp Center Ticket Office and displaying your Drake ID.

For more information, please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit DrakeRelays.org.

Ryan Harris, Athletics

Beginning this spring, students may add classes via MyDUSIS through Friday, Feb. 1. Students may drop classes via MyDUSIS through Friday, Feb. 8. Paper add/drop forms will no longer be necessary to add or drop a class once the semester begins.

Additionally, wait lists that exist at the beginning of the semester will continue to be automated through Friday, Feb. 1. This means that waitlisted students will receive an email notification when a seat has become available, and they will have 12 hours or until noon of Friday, Feb. 1 (whichever comes first) to claim the seat via MyDUSIS. 

However, once the semester begins, students will no longer be able to place themselves on wait lists.

Once the spring semester begins, students and instructors will receive an email whenever a student adds or drops a class. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage students to review their class schedules and instructors to review their class rosters for accuracy, as the enrollment validation policy will remain in effect.

Students who add a class after it has begun are responsible for contacting the instructor to discuss course expectations, catch up on any missed content, and ask any questions they have about the syllabus.

The online add feature does not apply to courses that belong to the Law School, Drake Online graduate programs, or classes that meet on weekends. 

The intent of this change is to enhance students’ ability to make timely schedule adjustments and ensures the schedule of classes reflects accurate seat availability in courses.

Kevin Moenkhaus, Associate Registrar

Earlier this year, Facilities Planning and Management staff walked the campus with a registered arborist from Perficut Companies to develop a maintenance plan for trees on Drake’s campus.  The work includes crowning, pruning away from buildings, and removal.  The trees being removed have begun to decay and have become safety hazards. Removing them helps to preserve the health of remaining trees and maintains the safety of everyone who visits campus from falling limbs that have died. Perficut will be on campus over the next 2–3 weeks completing the tree work depending on weather and accessibility to the trees with equipment.  View a map to see the areas and trees in this year’s plan.  If you have questions, please contact Patrick Williams, grounds supervisor, or Aaron Edwards, building and grounds manager.

Aaron Edwards, Facilities Planning and Management

As we look to the spring semester and all the visitors we’ll welcome to campus, please remember our neighborhood businesses such as the Holiday Inn Express.

The Holiday Inn Express is located at 1140 24th Street, just blocks away from campus. To reserve a room call 515-255-4000 or visit the Holiday Inn Express website.

Ryan Arnold, Community Relations

University Communications and Marketing holds open portrait sessions during the fall and spring semesters. The sessions rotate around campus making it more convenient for the campus community. These sessions are free to all faculty, staff, and students. High-resolutions portraits are made available for download through SmugMug.

Spring headshot sessions:

• Jan. 18, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., University Communications & Marketing (1229 25th St.)
• Feb. 15, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., SOE, Collier-Scripps Hall, 2nd Floor (Dean’s Conference Room)
• April 12, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., location TBD

No appointment necessary.

Jeremy Sievers, University Communications and Marketing